that was in 2004

the year they went 15-1 and lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship

I think they already had home field advantage locked up so they played a bunch of young guys at Buffalo, including Willie Parker, who got his first real action and he ran all over

it's good to have games like that where young players can play and not have to worry about screwing up

mostly every game is so important so you can't risk playing anyone that might make a bonehead play and cost you the game, a playoff berth and so on

Colts never disagreed with that!

I don't know if anyone on defense has really played poorly.

If you go down the list

NT Casey Hampton...he'll probably be in the Pro Bowl, he's had a good year considering they're No. 1 in run defense by a mile and that was without Smith and Keisel for many games
DE-Brett Keisel...he's back and playing well, brings a lot of versatility
DE-Ziggy Hood...he's no Aaron Smith but he's played much better in his second season
OLB-James Harrison...likely going to the Pro Bowl
ILB-James Farrior...bounced back from a down year in 2009 and is still playing well
ILB-Lawrence Timmons...having a great season
OLB-LaMarr Woodley...he could be more consistent, has games where he's all over the place and then some where he disappears
CB-Ike Taylor...by far the Steelers best CB
CB-Bryant McFadden...this is the one major weak link, it's a little stronger with McFadden compared to Gay but they still must upgrade this spot...I'm not sure if Butler is the answer but they might want to give him some playing time if they get in some mop up time these last two games
FS-Ryan Clark...good
SS-Troy Polamalu...exceptional

Harrison not going to the Pro Bowl would be a monumental snub.....especially when the 7th best AFC QB will be there.


And I'm really not sold on any Steeler DB......Clark is not my favorite.

I think Hampton, Harrison and Polamalu will be the three Steelers in the Pro Bowl.

Nobody from the offense.

I would say they need to draft a CB in either the first or second round, no exceptions.

Linebacker they'll be ok, I think, because it looks like Worilds can play. If something happens to Harrison or Woodley. And something tells me Stevenson Sylvester might be around awhile. He's just a special teamer right now but that's how a lot of players break in and make a name for themselves. Sylvester would be an inside linebacker defensively. He's a little thin and needs an offseason to get stronger.

speaking of special teams.........

The coverage and returns are awful way to often....how is that acceptable?!

The issue I see with Hampton being a pro bowler is that it seems he isn't even on the field for 50% of the def plays. Teams can't run on the steelers and he's constantly on the sidelines as steelers are constantly alligned in Nickel packages.

Agree.

Commander of Awesome;609993 wrote:The issue I see with Hampton being a pro bowler is that it seems he isn't even on the field for 50% of the def plays. Teams can't run on the steelers and he's constantly on the sidelines as steelers are constantly alligned in Nickel packages.

That is true but I think he'll serve as sort of the representative of the Steelers run defense, which is No. 1 by 26 yards per game over the second best.

Timmons has probably been the most active and productive player based on tackles but he won't make it at inside because Ray Lewis will get in and probably Jerod Mayo.

Ironman92;609998 wrote:Agree.

Hey Go Chiefs, looks like I got another user name. SMH, LOLFAIL.

I've been these sites around a bit. lol

Wait, wait, isn't this the part where I'm supposed to say "Pwned"?

GoChiefs;610019 wrote:Wait, wait, isn't this the part where I'm supposed to say "Pwned"?

That or Self FAIL, or FOTW would all apply here.

How 'bout ModFAIL of the week?

GoChiefs;610024 wrote:How 'bout ModFAIL of the week?

Umm, thats usually reserved for Fly 4 Fun, but I suppose you could break his streak. He might be upset though.

Keep on topic please....PosterFAIL

ok, ok....now stay on topic...lol

Commander of Awesome;610031 wrote:Umm, thats usually reserved for Fly 4 Fun, but I suppose you could break his streak. He might be upset though.

Damn it! And here I thought I was a sure win. Sigh. Maybe next week. I'll try harder.

Who do you even key in on in this game if youre the steelers? Steve Smith, he hasn't done much. Stewart/Goodson? Amanti Edwards (lol carolina draft fail)?

COA's posting style is retarded. but his points are all valid, Pittsburgh can win this game by playing a half ass version of defense. there is no playmaker to watch on the carolina team. should be a blowout.

I haven't watched Carolina all season, to be honest. Only a few highlights.

It will be kind of a strange game seeing them and what they have.

j_crazy;610048 wrote:COA's posting style is retarded. but his points are all valid, Pittsburgh can win this game by playing a half ass version of defense. there is no playmaker to watch on the carolina team. should be a blowout.

I like how you call me retarded yet FAIL to comprehend proper sentence structure.

I hope for a good officiated game. If not things could fall Carolina's way.

Non;610054 wrote:I haven't watched Carolina all season, to be honest. Only a few highlights.

It will be kind of a strange game seeing them and what they have.

Carolina has two wins...they don't have anything. This game is a joke and will be over in the 1st. Although, Pitt should have lost to buffalo so they can definitely play down to their competition....maybe i'll bet on carolina and the points.

Raw Dawgin' it;610098 wrote:Caroline has two wins...they don't have anything. This game is a joke and will be over in the 1st. Although, Pitt should have lost to buffalo so they can definitely play down to their competition....maybe i'll bet on carolina and the points.

As I said in an earlier post, though, the Steelers have had some Thursday night games the past few years and they didn't play well. One was at St. Louis in 2007 and then at Cleveland last year. Their defense, with some older guys, might be worn down on a short week and having Polamalu out takes away a lot to begin with.

14 1/2 is a lot

I could see it being 27-13 and the Steelers not covering

So is Polamalu playing or nah?