Steelers Spin: Metal Obtained What It Takes?

We now know what it seems like when a high-flying eagle releases its talons, permitting our mouse-like physique to flutter via the whipping winds till it impacts the chilly floor.

Oooofff. That was painful.

Philadelphia Eagles 27. Pittsburgh Steelers 13.

Eagles whole yards 401. Steelers 163.

Eagles time of possession 39:52. Steelers 20:08.

It was a trouncing. On the scoreboard. Of our egos. And, possibly of our Tremendous Bowl aspirations.

Now, we should stand up from the bottom rapidly. As a result of as dangerous because it was to have been dropped to earth by an eagle, the very last thing we want now’s to have our eyes pecked out by a raven.

We now appear to be the proper feast for revengeful eyes for the Baltimore Ravens. Anyone cross the salt and pepper.

By way of some Nationwide Soccer League scheduling quirkiness, the Steelers are primarily dealing with three playoff-caliber video games in a row towards the Eagles and Ravens after which solely days later towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

After failing the primary take a look at on the examination, the Steelers will know with some degree of certainty in lower than per week whether or not they are going to be legitimized…or demoralized heading into the postseason.

Will we metal imagine we’ve acquired what it takes to go all the best way? Let’s give it a Spin.

Excuses…Excuses

Simply final week, a religious Seattle Seahawks fan once more complained to me that his group was robbed of a victory in Tremendous Bowl XL due to poor officiating. That was almost 20 years in the past…By the best way, lest he neglect, the Steelers gained 21-10.

However that’s Seahawks followers. It shouldn’t be Steelers followers. The Eagles manhandled Coach Mike Tomlin’s group on Sunday. There shouldn’t be anybody whining about refereeing.

It all the time grinds me the flawed approach when individuals are dispensing excuses like they’re frisbees at a patchouli oil conference. Unhealthy calls. Accidents. Doesn’t matter. Win video games in a approach that the breaks don’t break you.

That needs to be the Steelers approach.

Nah. I’m Good Coach.

Gamers are making the information for all of the flawed causes nowadays. First there was Diontae Johnson who was mentioned to refuse to enter a sport in protest to what he believed was his lack of getting used sufficiently by the Baltimore Ravens. Then, San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell repeated the identical act, finally leading to his suspension for 3 video games.

There isn’t any defending this habits from gamers who’re paid extra for suiting up in a single sport than most individuals make in a 12 months and a few of their complete lifetime.

Nonetheless, I want to argue on behalf of Justin Fields, who’s pretty much as good of a group participant as there may be on the Steelers. His getting used for a single play in a sport is utter nonsense.

In a matter of seconds, he’s acquired to shed his coat, run onto the sphere, absorb a play from his headset, and exit and execute it fully chilly. Overlook the half about disrespecting the man who performed effectively as your beginning quarterback for the primary six video games of the season. What about his well being? Discuss a recipe for a freak damage that would destroy his alternative for a free company payday.

I’ll repeat my advice from weeks in the past. Don’t give him a play or two. Give him an entire quarter to specific himself. If the Steelers don’t have any wholesome receivers able to getting open, then you definitely’re higher off having Fields scrambling away from defensive strains than Russell Wilson.

However, if they’re going to throw him in for some random, token, cold-off-the-bench play, let me communicate for him on his behalf: “Nah, I’m good coach.”

Shutdown Nook

It’s been a few years since Pittsburgh has loved the extent of cornerback play they’ve now. Donte Jackson has offered a degree of Yin to Joey Porter, Jr.’s Yang as his bookend.

Though Porter has struggled with grab-handing receivers and drawing expensive penalties all through the season, his expertise and value at one of many protection’s most essential positions can’t be overstated.

Nonetheless, that being mentioned, as Clint Eastwood as soon as mentioned, “A person’s acquired to know his limitations.”

Having Porter play shutdown nook towards the league’s most interesting receivers has labored out effectively in most conditions the group has confronted. However that’s the bulk.

There are occasions when you possibly can’t go away him on an island towards an elite receiver when it’s clearly apparent the opposition is drawing up particular performs to win in these conditions.

That was the case in a number of key moments towards the Eagles’ A.J. Brown, the place Porter predictably was crushed. It’s almost a physics impossibility for any human being to cease Brown from finishing a three-yard goal-line slant if he’s unfold out broad towards a single cornerback.

It’s good to present confidence and belief to Porter, who has earned it effectively. However, that shouldn’t preclude the group from shading him the assistance he wants in these vital conditions the place no man needs to be an island.

Regaining Their Footing

Not too way back, the Steelers had been ranked primary within the NFL on protection when it comes to giving up yards per sport. Since then, the fingers have been slipping on the rope, and they’re now eighth-best and only some yards per sport away from dropping out of the highest ten.

That slippage might proceed as they tackle the league’s finest offense within the Baltimore Ravens, averaging 424 yards per sport. For these of you who get misplaced within the numbers, let’s simplify it: That’s a number of offense.

Actually, Pittsburgh’s capability to trigger turnovers is maintaining them in video games. However even there, the place they had been as soon as ranked first, they’re now within the seventh spot.

Maybe most annoying in regards to the Steelers’ loss to the Eagles was how badly they had been crushed within the trenches. Granted, the Eagles in all probability boast the league’s finest offensive line, however the Steelers’ protection was additionally purported to be the perfect upfront.

Enjoying offenses just like the Eagles, the Ravens, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and the Cincinnati Bengals won’t look like the perfect time to regain your defensive confidence…however Pittsburgh has no different alternative.

The protection can’t relaxation till they reclaim their place as among the best.

It needs to be clear at this level with even the largest followers of Russell Wilson…the Steelers aren’t going to win a Lombardi Trophy totally on the backs of their offense.

If a deep run within the playoffs is within the playing cards for this season, their solely likelihood of drawing some aces is with T.J. Watt and firm.

Bah Humbug

Whose vibrant concept was it to have the Steelers play on Christmas Day?

I’m positive lots of you imagine there could possibly be nothing higher below the tree that day, but it surely’s a horrible guess for me.

With the Steelers taking part in the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs I feel we are able to all agree there may be no less than a 50-percent likelihood that half of Steelers Nation can be depressing for what’s purported to be an in any other case joyous day.

I imply…actually, NFL…how do you assume diehard followers “take pleasure in” these video games?

They assume we’ll be there in the lounge sporting our Christmas tree sweaters and our Santa hats, saying cheerfully, “Who cares if my group is getting humiliated in entrance of a nationwide viewers? Nothing will get in the best way of my vacation cheer. Might you pour me some extra eggnog? How about tossing a number of extra chestnuts on the open hearth?”

And whereas most informal followers will see soccer on the tv as merely good white noise and flashing photos within the background of hearty conversations, a few of us are literally making an attempt to look at the sport.

Right here, I’ll be sitting subsequent to my daughter’s boyfriend’s mother and father, who can be chomping noisily on the rubbery fruitcake they introduced. They’ll say, “We simply love your daughter and really feel so excited in regards to the concept of getting her as a part of our household.”

At that time, I’ll both need to hold my true emotions buried beneath a hard-pressed smile, which might lead to extreme well being points like abdomen ulcers, or I’ll need to cope with this correctly.

Turning to them, I’ll say politely, “The one factor I care about proper now’s figuring out if Pittsburgh goes to have the ability to convert this third down, so when you don’t thoughts…please shut your piehole.”

And maybe, after ignoring everybody as they sing Christmas carols, play board video games, sit down for dinner with out me, and alternate Yuletide glee, I’d expertise some lonely thrill of victory if the Steelers handle to tug off the win.

Then, as I flip off the tv, I’ll be pressured to make up for misplaced time and need to say issues to my daughter’s boyfriend’s mother and father like, “We simply love your son and really feel so excited in regards to the concept of getting him as a part of our household.”

I simply don’t see a win right here.

The Solely Two Doable Outcomes

Bear in mind when the Cleveland Browns beat us this 12 months?

No? Me neither. That’s as a result of our victory towards them a few weeks in the past righted all wrongs and blocked out all reminiscences of that disappointment in Cleveland earlier within the season. Myles Garrett, who?

That is precisely the chance the Baltimore Ravens have earlier than them. Beat us on their house turf, and no matter significance we had in our prior win towards them will burst into flames and drift away in a purple haze.

This sport is the one one which issues. Both we’re the bully on the block and safe the AFC North title…or we get a correct comeuppance.

I see solely two doable outcomes of this sport.

The darkish one is the type we witnessed years in the past when Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed…and sure, sadly…Rod Woodson had been on their squads. Throughout their halcyon years, we took a few of the worst beatdowns ever in Baltimore.

That would occur once more. And it could possibly be lights out Sammy for the Steelers. Think about how enjoyable it will likely be to look at HBO’s Arduous Knocks.

The opposite doable final result is the one we have to cling to desperately. In an in depth sport, I see the Steelers successful.

Tomlin has had John Harbaugh’s quantity for some time, and the Steelers profit from essentially the most unlikely formulation this 12 months:

Chris Boswell > Justin Tucker

What is going to the result be? It’s all the way down to a coin flip, with the wind blowing favorably for Baltimore: distress or bliss.

After which come the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

It gained’t be till subsequent Saturday after we meet once more; by then, there gained’t be any secrets and techniques left to speak about this Steelers group. It could possibly be the shortest Spin ever composed. There won’t be phrases left to explain my pleasure…or dismay.

At the very least, hopefully, by then, my daughter can be speaking to me once more.