Now, the Steelers have some reasons for concern, but it's not desperation time



… 23rd still helps 

The Steelers were simply woeful against the Ravens on Sunday, and they cannot use excuses for not playing better offense for three quarters.

That means that the two teams are now tied at 4-4 in the AFC Central halfway through the season. Not exactly the script for a Super Bowl run that they believed was possible at the start of the season.

However, the hopes for the season are not over despite having 7-1 Dallas coming to town next week. Remember that number 23, their strength of schedule, one of the weakest in the league.

Here is the positive: First, Two games against the Cleveland Browns, who are now 0-9 [though playing a winless team is not comforting].

Second, they play only two teams with winning records so far, Dallas and the Giants (5-3), and collectively their opponents are 26-30-1. That is positive.

Third, as a whole, the AFC stinks this year. The major exception is New England, which is 7-1 and playing great. The Broncos and Raiders are playing tonight, and both are playing pretty well. Derek Carr may be the real deal, but we will see tonight.

Fourth, since the AFC is really poor, the Steelers have a good shot at winning it despite my having serious reservations about beating the Bengals in Cincinnati.

So, overall, while this loss was pretty pathetic, the season is not devastated. They must, however, play much better down the stretch than they have the past three weeks.

Records

Cowboys 7-1

Browns 0-9

Colts 3-5

Bills 4-4

Bengals 3-4-1

Ravens 4-4

Giants 5-3

26-30-1

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