Steelers reclaim relevance
At the close of business on Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 14), the Steelers were the lone team in the AFC North languishing under .500, with their 2013 hopes flickering like a candle in a jack-o-lantern.
Pittsburgh was sitting at 1-4 after securing its first win of the season, a 19-6 victory over a very ordinary New York Jets squad. This first win was on the heels of the Steelers’ open week, which followed a very disappointing 34-27 loss to Minnesota in London.
Now, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the next federal holiday, Steeler nation must fight through the lingering effects of a big meal and tryptophan to watch the hometown team play the dreaded Baltimore Ravens on Turkey Day.
Instead of viewing out of obligation, loyal and casual fans, alike, will likely don their favorite player’s uniform shirt, rearrange the furniture for prime viewing and prep the vocal cords for a game that actually means something!
Back when they were “my” Steelers, I proclaimed to anyone who cared to listen that the home team was in the hunt until they were eliminated. Oh, how I cringed when I’d hear how a Steeler win hurt their draft position.
A little insight, professional sports teams are paid to win games, no matter the circumstances. The Penguins are the lone exception to that rule, given the way they played to secure the drafting rights to Mario Lemieux or have the odd coach dismissed.
Yes, the 5-6 Steelers and the 5-6 Ravens are playing for the inside track to the final AFC wild-card berth. Given the way things are going, the winner would be breathing down the neck of the division-leading Bengals.
Who’da thunk it back in October, right?
Under the coulda, woulda, shoulda section, had the Steelers followed through the game-opening safety with a win in the opener against Tennessee, they would be in the sixth and final AFC spot heading into the Ravens game. Add finishing the game against Cincinnati, and the Steelers are in first place. Furthermore, purging the issues they have playing in Oakland, and the Steelers are fighting for an opening-round bye.
But, alas, what should’ve been doesn’t trump what is, so bring in the Ravens.
The Steelers have one more game against each of the AFC North squads and sport the best record at the moment in division at 2-1. Under “that’s obvious,” the Steelers need to follow through with the 5-2 stretch with division victories.
The defense has stiffened despite injuries throughout, notably on the defensive line and linebacker corp. Isn’t it fun to watch Troy Polamalu do what Troy Polamalu does so well? The first turnover came in the fifth game against the ever-accomodating Geno Smith and things have picked up since. The defense has allowed 146 points, with 55 coming in the New England loss, in the 5-2 stretch, while the offense has put up 174.
In my mind, the biggest issue the Steelers need to deal with is the punting situation. Don’t waste a high draft pick on a punter, right? It’s just a punter. The Steelers’ gross punting average is next to last in the 32-team league and net average is 30th in the league. The Zoltan Mesko-Mat McBriar combo ranks dead last in punts inside the 20 and one of those came off the foot of Ben Roethlisberger.
Punters are part of the roster. Why not bring in the best?
So, rest up, take a nap during the Dallas-Oakland snoozer and roll out the second eating, to bring home a Steeler win and games that matter in December.