Welcome Back To The Playoffs

As the final seconds ticked away at Heinz Field on Sunday afternoon, Big Ben took a knee and the Steelers won their 10th game in 15 tries in 2014.  This one was just a bit sweeter than the other nine as it meant the Steelers were back in the postseason for the first time since 2011.  It meant that the losses to the Bucs, Jets, Browns and Saints can all be forgiven. Most of all, it meant that with one more win the Steelers will clinch the division title and host at least one playoff game at Heinz Field.

It’s actually pretty amazing that this team has come this far. I’ve blasted them all season long for many of their transgressions, largely on the defensive side of the ball and coaching but it’s time to give credit where credit is due. 

Despite their glaring weaknesses, this team has found a way to put up ten wins and has a really great chance at winning the division. When I first predicted the season, back in August, I thought this team would go 10-6 and grab a wild card, as the season progressed, I thought 8-8 looked more realistic but here they are, having fought and scrapped their way to this tremendous opportunity.  They’ve certainly found a way to beat the good teams of the league, having split with the Ravens, already beating the Bengals once, pounding the Colts, handling the Chiefs, taking out the Texans and even beating an improved Browns team.  The knock has been they play to the level of their competition, meaning the bad teams seem to take them out but this season after now having clinched a playoff spot; that seems to have worked. The rest of the way, they’ll play only good teams; so maybe that’s a good thing for these guys. Perhaps they can make a run?  They’ll certainly need to patch up some of their holes but they have ways of making up for their deficiencies too.

The Killer B’s are as reliable as any trio in the league and they can put up points with anyone. Big Ben is a proven post season winner, Antonio Brown is clutch and LeVeon Bell appears poised to handle the spotlight the post season will bring. 

James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Lawrence Timmons have all done it before on the defensive side of the ball and while Polamalu and Taylor no longer seem to be much of a factor on the field, they can still play pivotal roles in leading this team in the playoffs based on their experience and past success. 

The thought of facing a Tom Brady, Petyon Manning or even Andrew Luck a second time sounds daunting but right now these Steelers have certainly proven they don’t give up on themselves even when some of us lose faith in their abilities; and that has to count for something, maybe even a division title.

Welcome back to the postseason; Steelers. 

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