Watching the Steelers put the finishing touches on a dominating win Sunday over the awful Cleveland Browns, the team looks like they are going to be awfully tough to beat in the playoffs from a defensive standpoint.
The team wrapped up a solid 12-4 season with the toughest schedule in the leauge, and led the league in a number of catagories on the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers finished with significant edges in three categories — their 237.2 yards per game average is the lowest since the 1991 Eagles gave up 221.8 — but they allowed 54 more yards rushing than the Vikings.
“It’s what we’ve been saying, win the Super Bowl and 20 years from now they’re really going to talk about you,” linebacker Larry Foote said. “(Like) what the Bears did in 1985 and what the Ravens did in 2000. I remember they were showing stats on TV that the (1978) Rams had one of the best defenses, and I didn’t know that. It goes to show you’ve got to win the Super Bowl to be remembered.”
And that is where this Steelers team will be tested. They will take on one of three teams on Sunday, January 11th at 4:45pm at Heniz Field – the Colts, Chargers or the Miami Dolphins. The team has already played the Colts (loss) and Chargers (11-10 win) this season, and played and beat the Fins on Monday night football last season (3-0) at home.
The team has allowed a team to score over 25 points just once, but all that does not matter now as they know entering the postseason teams usually step up their game, meaning the Steelers D is going to have to do that as well.
“Getting 12 wins is important. I remember people saying we weren’t going to do very well this year because of our schedule,” Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu said. “But everybody knows we’re going into the part of the season where records don’t matter any more. So that’s where it’s really positive we have a playoff-experienced team.”
And we’ll see if by February 1st that experience and the tough regular season schedule pays off.
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mark
December 30, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I thought that was a great point about how no one remembers the great teams that do NOT win a Super Bowl. 1978 Rams was a great example, how about the 1976 Steelers? that might have been the greatest team to not win the championship period!There is no question that this Steeler team has a Super Bowl caliber defense. The question will be and has been all season is our offense. More specifically the offensive line.The line has played well at times and horrid other times. I know this is the reason for a mediocre running game, and Ben taking what has become his yearly beating. I am comfortable saying that if the Steelers score 24 or more points in any playoff game, they will win. I am still confident that this offense can put together 3 solid games in a row too.The scariest part about facing the Steelers might just be that the offense has the weapons to break out. We have seen flashes of this potential in many games this year like the Patriots, Texans,Bengals, Jaguars. Not to mention that when they had to move the ball at Baltimore against another top defense, they did. The playoff teams know about the Steeler defense, but they better be aware of the offense becasue I have a feeling they are going to come alive!
Mike
December 30, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Mark, I love the enthusiasm. The Steelers offense does not even have to play great to win the Super Bowl. If Ben does not turn the ball over and we don’t give up big plays in the kicking game, we are going to be a tough out. Look at our losses to the Colts, Giants and Titans; Ben turned the ball over through either interception or fumble 11 times. 9 picks and 2 fumbles. That is why it is so crucial to run the ball even if it is not effective early. Keep pounding away and pounding away and let our defense do its thing.
mark
December 31, 2008 at 9:39 am
I couldnt agree more Mike! What I meant was the Steeler offense has only touched on their potential enough times this year to show what they are capable of. All of what you said is exactly what the Steelers need to do. I thought that the Giant and Colt games were great examples of the Steelers moving the ball enough to grab a win, and then a penalty or a BAD turnover doing them in! Your right about not having to play great to win and I think the offense is more then capable of playing efficient but I say the Steelers offense can be great at times and that also makes them a tough out.