It's simple math for the Steelers (7-7) to make the playoffs: win two games at home against the Bungles (8-6) and Brownie Elves (5-9). However, the Steeler Face's magic cussball sees a different story inside the numbers.
Although, the Steelers' paper champion defense is high in the NFL rankings, it has allowed 4th quarter leads to evaporate as its DBs regularly give 20 yard cushions to wideouts, while its aging linebackers are chasing after speedy youngsters in the slot.
Meanwhile, the Rooney's are insisting on a run-oriented approach on offense that features the three-headed underachieving trio of Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, and Rashard Fumblehall. While the offensive line has managed pass blocking this year, it hasn't been as effective opening up holes for the running game. Or maybe, the running game has suffered because the Steelers have failed to install something called a "fullback" to help open up those holes. Worse yet, the Steelers' improved pass blocking this season will be challenged by the Bengals, who lead the league in sacks this year with 43.
While Big Ben is putting together a solid statistical season (22 TDs against 6 INTs in 11 games), Heeeeath Miller is catching everything thrown in his area code and Shaun Suisham has kicked 26 of 27 field goal attempts -- this offense has become listless at times. Moreover, no matter how many times I read reports that Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley say Big Ben's recent criticism of the play calling was just "emotional" or spoken out of "frustration" or that they are not "fazed" by it -- I'm not buying it. I think Big Ben sees the same thing that Steeler Face has been bitching about all year -- the farting around with all the bullshit bubble screens.
Moreover, Ben has to have noticed that Bruce Arians, who was essentially fired by the Steelers as OC, has done extraordinarily well as interim HC at Indianapolis where the Colts are going to the playoffs with a better record than the Steelers -- and a rookie QB.
Tomlin should stop all of his hollow cheerleading and actually produce a game plan for beating Cincy and drilling his team on the fundamentals -- TWO HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL!
The bottom line is that this 2012 squad is just not a good team, and is in the midst of its worst slide of the season losing 4 of its last 5 games. Worse yet, the Steelers have lost games to many of the NFL's bottom feeders, including Oakland, San Diego, and Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Cincy is hot, winning 5 of its last 6. This is a good Bengals team right now -- and they absolutely hate the Steelers. This is their moment and the Bengals will prove it on Sunday.
Who day say gonna beat 'dem Benglas? We (not) day.
I've shaken the magic cussball several times this week and the answer I keep getting is -- frustrating frequent fumbles, no fullback for run formations, getting stuffed at the line on 3rd and short, receivers not catching the ball, poor clock management, and bubble screen, bubble screen drops and fumbles, secondary burned, coaching trouble. Steelers blow up big time, the Steeler Face forecasts a 45-24 win for the Bengals.
Too bad that Sunday's game will be the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. It will at least take some divine intervention for Steelers to pull this one off.
No comments:
Post a Comment