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Steelers Wildcard Playoff Scenario’s

Pat — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:55:34 +0000

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we didn’t have to worry about other teams winning, other teams losing and all these “if” so and so wins, so and so loses, etc… We were in and I was confident we would make it through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl.

This year it’s quite a bit different, if the Steelers make the playoffs as one of the AFC Wildcard teams, they need some help. Here’s what has to happen for the Steelers to get in.

Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot:
1) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie
2) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
3) PIT win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie

Winning against Miami is a given, we have to win or it’s over. The Houston game is a big one, the Texans play the Patriots at home and the Pats are fighting for a playoff spot themselves so, this isn’t one of those meaningless week 17 games. I think the Patriots will help us, hate to say it, but go Pats.

The Jets go up against the Bengals in NY, I’d say at home but they play in Giants stadium..lol This is a must win for the Jets and meaningless for the Bengals BUT.. if the Bengals lose to the Jets, they would have to play them again the following week. Playing a team twice, is not good, even if you rest your starters and take a dive. I would say, Go Bengals, but the Jets got a freebie against the Colts last week and will most likely get a freebie this week.

The Ravens face the Raiders in Oakland. This is the game that will decide our fate, if I were the Ravens, I would be very worried about this below average Raider team. They have played the AFC North well this year and have nothing to lose. Actually, almost every player on the Raiders roster is fighting for a starting spot, so they will be playing in top form at home. My prediction, the Raiders win in a shootout.

The other team that can help us but only if The Jets and Raiders lose and the Texans win, is the Broncos. I wouldn’t worry too much about this scenario because I don’t think the Texans will beat the Patriots but, if for some reason they can stop the Patriots, we would need the Broncos to lose. The Broncos play the Chiefs in what used to be a good old fashioned rivalry but I doubt the Chiefs have what it takes to beat the Broncos this year.

Of course, none of these scenarios mean anything if we don’t beat Miami. So, lets start the day off with a win against the Dolphins and see what plays out.

Go Steelers!

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
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Stick a Fork in Them, The 2009 Steelers are Done!

Pat — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:09:59 +0000

This Season, being a Steeler fan has been very tough for a couple of reasons. First, I was at the Super Bowl last year with my Dad, Son and Cousin and celebrated for months after witnessing the best finish to a Super Bowl in History. Second, I live in Indiana and I have to hear about the now, 12-0 Colts that about to win a record setting 22 regular season games in a row.

I feel like my sports faith is being tested by the Football gods.

Especially, after losing 5 games in a row and the last 2 games to teams with a combined record of 5 and 20, the Browns and the Raiders. Two teams that all Steeler fans despise and would love to see lose 16 games in a row every year. Oh wait, the Browns have come really close to that the last few years in a row.

What can I say about last nights game? Not much except, I’m embarrassed to be a Steeler fan today and have been for 5 weeks. I really don’t know what’s going on within the organization and am flabbergasted by what I’ve seen this season. We haven’t had many changes in personnel and you can’t tell me that Troy being out has this big of an affect on the team.

Is it Super Bowl hangover?

It’s a shame because I still haven’t seen this team get “Beat” yet, they have “Lost” all 7 games on their own and that’s a reflection on the team and staff. I just don’t see the heart and pride that I usually see out of this team. Hell, when the camera shows the defense on the sidelines, they look like they would rather be somewhere else. I don’t see a team captain taking a leadership role, I don’t see any player trying to get them fired up, I don’t see a coach..well, um… coaching, I don’t see anyone look pissed off at losing, I don’t see any emotion from the former #1 defense in the NFL and it’s sickening.

The offense and special teams is the same story, I don’t see anyone taking control of this team (Ben has shown some leadership and shows emotion on the sidelines but it seems like he’s forcing it to please the fans), I don’t see guys like Ward, Miller or Ben or stepping up and getting in the faces of the younger players. I just don’t see any emotion at all except, ….acceptance, these players have accepted the fact that they don’t want to win another Super Bowl.

It’s seasons like this that make it hard to be a Steeler fan and not for the reason you think, it’s not because they have lost 7 games already or because they have lost 5 in a row (to terrible teams), or because the chances of making the playoffs are all but lost, it’s because this team is playing with NO HEART and NO EMOTION. If these games were going down to the wire with every player giving everything they have and “leaving it all on the field”, Steeler fans would still have respect for these guys. If this team was getting beat by the Colts, Saints and Vikings by a last second field goal and giving 100% on every play, I would be proud.

But, you know what, I am not proud of this team, I am disgusted with this team.

No Heart

No Soul

No Emotion

Nothing… The 2009 Steelers are an embarrassment and the front office needs to look very, very hard at replacing whomever is responsible for the lack of heart, soul and emotion and find players and staff that have what it takes to be a part of the Pittsburgh Steeler Organization, an organization that prides itself on accepting the responsibility of being one of the most storied franchises in the NFL.

Pat Lovell

Steelers Lose to Raiders and Need Help Bad

Pat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:28:47 +0000

I haven’t been posting to the Blog that much but it’s not because the Steelers are stinking up the NFL. We are getting ready to sell our house and move out to the country so, we’ve been working on our house to have it listing ready.

These last few games have shown how vulnerable our secondary is and should tell the front office exactly where we need to draft or find a couple good corners via free agency.

Sure, Troy being hurt has been a big factor but our corners and back up safeties are not top caliber players. Townsend is getting old, Gay is terrible, Taylor is inconsistent, Clark and Carter are ok but, not what we need at safety, Mundy and Burnett are too inexperienced. You can see what I mean, our secondary is suspect and needs fixed.

Here’s the thing, Steeler fans go into every season with extremely high expectations and think we can win the Super Bowl every season. We love the Steelers and Steeler Nation puts everything they have into the game. Hell, sometimes I think the fans are more excited than the players each game and we probably are.

We don’t like losing seasons and this season we’ve lost 6 games and every one of them were winnable games. We didn’t get BEAT by any team, we beat ourselves every game, by terrible mistakes and most recently, horrible play by the secondary and special teams.

Don’t worry, I’m still gonna be rooting on the Steelers this thursday night when we travel to Cleveland to take on the Brownies. Cheap Steeler Tickets

Go Steelers

Pat Lovell

Steelers Lose Huge Game to the Bengals

Pat — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:36:04 +0000

Last week when thinking about this game I was pretty confident that the Steelers would come out on top of a very close game. I didn’t think the Bengals were enough of a team to handle our number one defense. Well, the defense played a pretty decent game but I didn’t plan for our offense, Ben specifically playing like crap.

I’m going to start with this and get it off my chest. I defended Jeff Reed after the Chicago game, defended him after the last Bengals game and even defended him after his 2 scuffles with the law. But, it’s time for Reed to be cut! He is personally responsible for missing the kicks in the Bears and Bengals games, he is responsible for missing tackles in every return Touchdown scored against our special teams. What the hell was that yesterday, he had a clean shot at slowing down or knocking the returner out of bounds and he let him run by. He is also responsible for his actions off the field, it’s obvious he has an alcohol problem and I’ve had enough.

Dear Pittsburgh Steeler Organization,

Cut Jeff Reed now, he is costing this team wins and responsible for terrible publicity off the field!

Sincerely,

Pat Lovell “The Steeler Fanatic”

Ok, enough about “the kicker”, which is how I will now refer to this worthless player. What on earth happened to Ben and the Wide Receiver’s yesterday. If Ben wasn’t over throwing them, they were dropping the ball. I still can’t believe Miller dropped a pass that hit him in the hands. Every WR dropped catch-able passes yesterday.

Why not work on establishing the run? Why not Blitz? Why did the Steelers step out of their game plan and play to the Bengals. That is very out of character and it cost us the game. A team should never let the other team dictate their game, especially at home.

We have a lot to work on this week and now 1st place is, in reality, out of reach, unless the Bengals implode. We have to fight and work very hard to end up with a wild card spot.

Suck it up and learn from the mistakes made in this game and most importantly, start looking for a kicker, NOW!

Pat Lovell
“The Steeler Fanatic”

Steelers Beat Brett Favre and the Vikings

Pat — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:01:18 +0000

The Vikings and Brett Favre came into Pittsburgh this Sunday, 6-0 and confident. Riding the wave of a resurgent, recently out of retirement, aging Quarterback that is having an incredible year.

Enter, the Pittsburgh Steelers Defense…

The Steelers love to face teams like the 2009 Vikings. The Vikings were unbeaten, boasting a very tough defense, and have the best running back in the league. Oh, yeah, they have Brett Favre.

I talked to several people this week and I was very confident that we could beat the Vikings. We just need to accomplish a few small tasks. Stop Adrian Peterson and pressure Brett Favre into making bad decisions. Sounded easy enough to me.

In the first quarter, we did just that. We stopped Peterson and we hit, hurried and sacked Brett Favre. The battle of the punters/kickers was about to start and I was confident that our kicker Jeff Reed would take a “fighting stance” and win this game for us. (Sorry, had to get that in there some how).

However, Reed almost cost us the game near the end of the 4th quarter. The Steelers defense, led by Brett Kiesel, forced a fumble and Woodly returned it for a touchdown to go ahead by 10 points, 20-10. Forcing the Vikings to score twice to tie or take the lead. On the kickoff following the TD, Reed had a chance to tackle, knock down or divert the runner and pretty much gave up on the play thus allowing the Vikings to score and bring the game back to 3 points, 20-17.

Enter, the Steelers Defense, again….

The defense saved the game once again, intercepting Brett Favre in the closing minutes, Fox returned the interception 82 yds for the touchdown and putting the game out of reach for the Vikings. 27-17.

This was a great win to head into the bye week and gives our players a much needed rest.

Bring on the Broncos…. (could they still be undefeated on Nov. 9th?)

Steelers Home Opener Photos

Pat — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:48:33 +0000

Some photos from the Steelers home opener on Thursday, Sept. 10th, 2009

Steelers Win Home Opener in Overtime

Pat — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:58:14 +0000

What a day.

I started the day getting up at 5am, eating breakfast, checking email and heading out on the road to Pittsburgh. I arrived at my Dad’s house around 1pm and was on the road to the game by 2:30. We got to our spot in the parking lot around 3:30.

We headed into the stadium around 6:30, walked through the Great Hall to see the new Super Bowl XLIII trophy (it was awesome and I’ll post a photo here in a while). We headed to Club West early for some food and and were in our seats early. It’s not every year, you open the season as the reigning Super Bowl Champions. I knew they would have a great opening ceremony and I was right. They started with a video montage of the Super Bowl, raised a giant 6 time champs flag and fireworks. The crowd was loud, proud and ready for some football.

Leading up to the game there were many activities going on around the stadium. Tim McGraw was live in Point state park, The Black Eyed Peas were there as well and they both played songs for the beginning of the game. I’m not a big fan of either, so it was ok for me. The excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd was great though.

Kickoff!

This is a good place to start the critique of the game, ladies and gentleman, we have a kick/punt returner and probably the best since Randle El left. Logan started off with a 40 yd kickoff return and did a great job all game. He’s going to be a big help this year.

The Offense was a little flat at first but Ben hooked up on a few nice passing plays. He also proved to me that he needs the pressure of the clock to make him very good. He was exceptional at the end of the half, the end of regulation and the OT. He is cool as a cucumber when the clock is ticking.

We are going to be in trouble unless Tomlin gets this running game in shape and that starts with the offensive line. We have 4 healthy running backs and need to take advantage of this now. Total Offense Grade = C (the running game brings this average way down) Big Ben and the WR crew Grade = B+

The Defense… wow. Troy came out and took control of the game early. He was in on every play, made some great tackles and a highlight reel interception. That one hand grab was incredible. We stopped the run and until Troy went out hurt, we dominated the Titans. After Troy went out, the Titans took advantage and did very well. Defensive Overall – Grade B+

The punter… Sepulveda was a stud and I am glad he is back. He backed the Titans up several times and bailed us out of some situations with his leg. Special Teams Grade = A

We played well when we needed to and walked away with a big overtime win but it cost us Troy Polamalu and the O Line is going to be criticized for a week. I think they are down playing Troy’s injury, the official report is MCL ’sprain’ and after seeing that injury on tape, he is going to be out 8-12 weeks (in my opinion) and that will hurt us.

A great day and I’m glad I went to the game, it was a great time.

Go Steelers.

Pat

The NFL Season is Here! I’m Ready for Some Football

Pat — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:13:45 +0000

Ok, first let’s remember that The Steelers are going into this season as the defending Champions and 6 time Super Bowl Champs! I’m still riding the high of going to the Super Bowl with my Dad, Son and Cousin, it was a weekend that will go down in history as one of the best weekends of my life.

I’m also very excited to be going back to the game and seeing the 6th trophy and welcoming the Champs back to the NFL! We are definitely in contention to make a repeat visit to the Super Bowl. Yep, I said it. We have a very good chance with pretty much the same team as last year. Actually, right now we are a better team than last year.

But I digress, I’m ready for some football and glad the pre-season is over at the same time. Thank goodness, we got through the pre-season with minor injuries but a couple do worry me.

Big Ben and Willie Parker both are going into week 1 with injuries that could end up much worse if not healed properly before they start playing. I’m really hoping Ben stays healthy and this injury doesn’t bother him all season. Willie, on the other hand, can be replaced pretty quickly with Mendenhall, so that’s not too bad.

I’m not going to critique the pre-season play, I’ll wait until after Thursday before I give a review and prediction of this year’s team.

Go Steelers!

2009 Steeler Pre-Season is Underway

Pat — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:28:23 +0000

I’ve said this every year for the past 5 years on the Blog, I hate the pre-season. Sure, it gets me somewhat excited for the upcoming season but what a waste of time for football fans. It is very clear that pre-season NFL football is for revenue generation ONLY. I can’t wait until the NFL gets rid of 2 games and adds them to the regular season.

Why do I hate the NFL Pre-season?

It’s pretty obvious to most NFL fans, I would imagine. The starters rarely play and it’s nothing but a chance to end a players season before it even starts.

I’m not sure why anyone would spend the cash to go to a pre-season game. Why would I want to watch players that I’ve never heard of, that will never play again and watch a game that means absolutely nothing in the pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. I just don’t do it. Heck, I don’t even watch the games on TV.

Having said that, I am getting stoked for the 2009-10 football season. There are a couple of reasons I’m excited. Reason 1, The Pittsburgh Steelers are the defending Super Bowl Champions! That should be reason enough but..Reason 2, we are coming back with relatively the same team as last year, actually, I think we have a better team than last year and an easier schedule.

I know, it’s very hard to repeat as champions in the NFL but this is the best chance we’ve had in a very long time. Since the 70’s anyway. LOL

Is it too early to start the SEVEN slogans??

Is it a coincidence that Polomalu’s jersey number adds up to 7?

Big Ben is #7

Win # Seven for #7

Win # 7 as Myron smiles down from Heaven!

Steelers Beat Chargers 11-10

Pat — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:21:52 +0000

The Steelers and Chargers made NFL History today and finished today’s game with the first ever 11-10 score in 12,837 NFL Games. When I heard that statistic, I didn’t think it could be true but I guess it’s not really easy to score 11 points in an NFL game.

The game was a defensive battle with the Steeler defense doing what they do best, stopping the run, creating turnovers and creating havoc on the QB. Except for the incredibly stupid penalties, the Steeler defense played very well.

I have been busing Big Ben’s chops for a few weeks for below average play, so today I’ll give been some credit. He played a very good game and made some excellent throws. He also had his first game over 300 yds passing at home since 2006. Great game Ben.

It was nice to see Fast Willie Parker back today, he definitely took the pressure off Ben and made the defense play the run on 1st and 2nd downs. I would like to see a power back on 3rd and short and inside the 10yd line, that hurt us today.

Hines Ward is back! I love it when Hines has a big game and today he was all over the place. Great catches, great blocks, and he is hard to take down after he makes a catch. Great game Hines!!

Matt Spaeth also stepped up and made some great catches today in place of the injured Heath Miller. He was crucial on 3rd down and made some great blocks as well.

The Defense… too many big plays to mention but I’ll give props to Polomalu, Harrison, Woodley, Smith, Foote, Kiesel and the newly acquired Bryant for stepping up and making some big plays.

After last weeks disappointing loss to the Colts, this was a big win for the Steelers.