Before training camp commenced prior to this 2013 NFL season, I wrote a piece asking what this year’s rallying cry would be for the Steelers. Four months later, the boys in Black and Gold have a couple to choose from.
0-4 — By the end of September, Pittsburgh was winless. Everybody in the western world knew this was a fatal blow and a ridiculously un-Steeler like commencement to a fresh season. This team was officially playing for a draft pick was the local commentary. Blame was scattered all over the field and sidelines, as well as extending to the front office. Inside the locker room, the players, although frustrated, believed.
2-6 — After a lackluster win over the Jets followed by a morally satisfying victory over the despised world champion Ravens, the boys dropped a tough loss on the west coast to the hapless Raiders. November began with a drubbing when visiting Foxborough to play the team whose name I loathe to speak. Firings were called for by the masses. The Steelers had been put on blast by the media for weeks.
4-6 — After another two weeks, the Steelers have won two straight vs the Bills and the NFC North leading Lions. Ian Rapaport reported that Ben Roethlisberger was unhappy in Pittsburgh and was seeking a trade prior to the Buffalo game.
Ben took matters into his own hands. That is what good leaders do. He took his frustrations out on the field.
Through 10 games, he has passed for 2,901 yards for 17 TDs and 10 picks. He has thrown 17 total TD’s in an entire season four times in his career. He is on track to surpass 4,600 yards in the air, topping his own franchise record of 4,328. All of this amongst trade rumors and many questioning his true value to the team. Anyone else think he’s pissed?
Admittedly, I had my doubts about Roethlisberger’s intentions earlier this season, particularly after a Week 3 loss to Chicago in which he single-handedly (no pun intended in reference to two fumbles) turned the ball over four times, including two interceptions. The way he played, I questioned his commitment to the team and the cause. Boy was I wrong.
A defense that has been touted as old and slow for several years now has shown that veteran play and the willingness to work harder at execution and adjustments in-game (see: first half vs second half stats of Calvin Johnson last Sunday). This is a statement to the masses. “We can still play.”
The offensive line offered better protection for their QB in recent weeks, allowing only one sack against a stout rush from Detroit featuring the combo of Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. The front five are settling in and trusting in one another.
Currently, a look at the standings reveals the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2nd in the AFC North, thanks to a serious Super Bowl hangover in Baltimore and a QB roulette wheel in Cleveland which have left them both with an identical record as Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Ravens in head-to-head play, and Cleveland sits last in the standings due to their inferior common opponents win percentage with the Steelers (the third of 12 tie breaks sanctioned by the NFL. Interestingly enough, the 12th and final tie break is a coin flip). Only the Jets and Dolphins have better records insofar as the two wild card spots in the AFC playoff picture. String together a couple wins in Cleveland on Sunday and Baltimore directly after our turkey dinner, and another Steelers tale for the grandkids could be in the making.
All really is not lost for the Black and Gold, sports fans. Those of us that have doubted (myself included) should have known better than to think a Steelers team would throw in the yellow towel for the season. Anyone in the know in the NFL will tell you without hesitation that it’s all about when a team gets hot. These guys seem to have something to prove. Who can’t get behind that?
