Steeler fans should relax


... schedule is in their favor


The most vital number for the Steelers right now is one that I used earlier this year: 23.

They have the 23rd weakest schedule in the NFL this year. Only eight teams have a tougher one.

I had picked them to go 11-5 based a great deal on that schedule, and I was right so far except for one game: Miami.

Look at the rest of the schedule. No one in the AFC-Central is any good, but both the Ravens and Bengals will be tough on their turf. Still, this is not like the days of Ray Lewis in Baltimore, nor are the Bengals the team that they have been the past few years.

The Steelers could easily be 6-0 in the AFC-Central.

Rest of the schedule

That leaves the others: Dallas is much improved particularly with their rookie QB. Fortunately, we have them at home, but that is the only tough game on the horizon.

The Colts and the Giants have both been inconsistent, but both have the capability to beat good teams.

The same can be said about the Bills, which have the typical Rex Ryan inconsistency. They had the Dolphins but let them get away.

Of course, who are we to complain about the Dolphins.

In short, schedule wise, this can be an 11-5 team depending on injuries.

New England

The Patriots are the class of the AFC again, and that is hard for me to admit. It is, however, true. No QB in the league is in the same class with Brady.

Having said that, the Steelers played decently at times and could have been much more competitive without the same problems that Tomlin teams have had in the past. Too many mental errors and too many penalties.

The holding call that brought back what would have been Landry Jones' second touchdown was a killer. Then, in the second half, the Steelers could not score a touchdown and were exchanging 3s for 7s. You cannot win games that way.

Defense

The defense did a decent enough job on Brady, but again, they have little pass rush. They have only eight sacks in seven games, with Cameron Heyward, the absent lineman, leading with 3. The sack numbers from their OLBs are woeful.

Second, they made LaGarette Blount like like an All-Pro. Maybe he is, but numbers prior to that game say otherwise.

Quarterback

I agree that Landry Jones looked better than I thought, but that is because based on last year and preseason, I expected very little from him yesterday. We will see how he does in the next few starts.

However, it is time for the Steelers to think about drafting a quarterback to replace Roethlisberger. They should groom someone and not simply a mediocre backup who will never be that replacement. We have had enough Kordell Stewarts, David Woodleys, Cliff Stoudts, Mark Malones, and Bubby Bristers.

Over the past 40 years, how many first-round picks have the Steelers used on a QB? Bradshaw, Roethlisberger, Malone?

Not sure how the QB draft will be next year, but it is worth consideration. The Vikings got Teddy Bridgewater at 32 a few years ago, and he made the Pro Bowl last year and was coming along until his severe knee injury this year. That kind of move should be on the horizon for the Steelers, too, so they can groom someone for the eventual retirement of BR.

Jones is not the man to do that.

Conclusion

If the Steelers lose to the Ravens, then the Steeler fans should be concerned. Until then, relax.

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