What? My team manned and played arguably its best offensive game (considering the opponent) and a beat up defense stepped up and played a great game...against an opponent that just ran out of steam at the end of a brutal month of football.

 

If they play again, there's no way Tennessee wins by 17. It was just one of those games...they happen sometimes and you can never predict it.

 

One week ago, the Titans were a struggling team that peaked to early and would probably be lucky to win its first playoff game...now, after one bad game by Pittsburgh, they've become the Super Bowl favorite again. I don't think so. They're still the same team...

Sandbagger.

Most of the creativity you get on defense is in pass defense and blitz packages. The Titans run-heavy, smash mouth style limits the opportunities for opposing defenses...1) they don't pass as much as other teams, 2) due to their ground game their "passing" situations are frequently "manageable" distances and 3) they're still a threat to run on down and distance combos that most teams are almost exclusive passing teams.

 

I doubt the Steelers were playing a "vanilla" defense and saving the real thing for a possible playoff rematch when home field advantage throughout the playoffs was at stake yesterday.

 

I do agree that the Steelers tough schedule had an effect. I'll say it again...no team in the league could play the following four games in succession and win them all: @ New England, vs. Dallas, @ Baltimore, @ Tennessee

 

Pitt won the first three and finally stumbled in Nashville. As a fan, I'm sure its a little disappointing with home field in reach. But, I'd be happy with where they're at if I were a Steelers fan. The fact that they went 3-1 in that stretch speaks volumes about them, IMO. They still get my vote as the top team in the league...

 

The Steelers have played IMHO the toughest schedule in the NFL. They will be ready for the playoffs IF they can find a quick fix for that O line. The defense will keep them in most games.

The Steelers have played IMHO the toughest schedule in the NFL. They will be ready for the playoffs IF they can find a quick fix for that O line. The defense will keep them in most games.

Not happenin'. They are what they are.

Not happenin'. They are what they are.

 

True. If you can't "quick fix" an offensive line through 15 games, you aren't going to find the magic pill in two weeks before your first playoff game.

 

They're good enough to win anyway. There isn't a flawless team in the league.

Sandbagger.

 

What can I say? I like having my team "fly under the radar" with a 13-2 record and all its playoff games in Nashville.

 

But, seriously, you know as well as I do that should they meet again, Tennessee doesn't have a chance. After, mistreating the "terrible towel", the Steelers will be so fired up they might break Johnson and White in half. Literally. They'll make the beatdowns received for messing with Louisville's "bird" seem like nailbiters.

 

If the Titans do win their playoff opener, I'm just hoping the Steelers get knocked off. :sssh:

5 wide

 

I dont buy into the not showing anything on D either. I dont know the exact numbers but Collins threw the ball around 30 times. The Titans line is so good maybe they thought they couldnt get pressure on him anyway. The Steelers have always struggled going into Nashville and the trend continues. I thought the game swung on the two 4th down attempts by Jeff Fisher especially after the grief he took last week.

 

maybe we'll see a rematch

What can I say? I like having my team "fly under the radar" with a 13-2 record and all its playoff games in Nashville.

 

But, seriously, you know as well as I do that should they meet again, Tennessee doesn't have a chance. After, mistreating the "terrible towel", the Steelers will be so fired up they might break Johnson and White in half. Literally. They'll make the beatdowns received for messing with Louisville's "bird" seem like nailbiters.

 

If the Titans do win their playoff opener, I'm just hoping the Steelers get knocked off. :sssh:

Like I said in the opening, you nearly nailed the score, just in reverse!!

 

Your Titans are the #1 seed for a reason. Enjoy the bullseye.:thumb:

 

Frankly, I think that they can handle it. No way the Steelers stroll into Nashville with a healthy VDB and Haynesworth and come out victorious without some key turnovers in their favor, and Tenn. isn't prone to those. So, add a few more grains to your sandbag my friend. I don't know whose radar your referring to, but anyone who has remotely paid attention can recognize a bullseye when they see one.

 

Frankly, I hope that the Steelers get that chance, I have my doubts.

Like I said in the opening, you nearly nailed the score, just in reverse!!

 

Your Titans are the #1 seed for a reason. Enjoy the bullseye.:thumb:

 

Frankly, I think that they can handle it. No way the Steelers stroll into Nashville with a healthy VDB and Haynesworth and come out victorious without some key turnovers in their favor, and Tenn. isn't prone to those. So, add a few more grains to your sandbag my friend. I don't know whose radar your referring to, but anyone who has remotely paid attention can recognize a bullseye when they see one.

 

Frankly, I hope that the Steelers get that chance, I have my doubts.

 

:thumb:

 

Oh, I listen to a lot of NFL Radio among other things...and I heard and read a lot of stuff that suggested the Titans had peaked too early and had fallen behind Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and New England (who may not make the playoffs), among others...

 

Some comments, I heard...

 

"The Titans peaked too early."

"Do you really think Tennessee is better than Indianapolis right now?"

"I don't think the Titans can beat the Colts."

"Would you really take the Titans over the Colts in the playoffs?"

"I see the Titans as a one-and-done in the postseason. Because they're going to have to play the Colts in the second round." (This comment was, of course, made with the assumption that the game in Nashville yesterday was a mere formality and coronation ceremony for the Steelers.)

 

Of course, I'm paraphrasing those comments from memory...but that's the basic point of them.

 

Personally, I like it. They may have the bullseye that comes from being the top seed. But, they don't have the bullseye that comes from being the "glamour" team that everybody loves and everybody picks. They get enough disrespect from the media and the experts to negate any motivational advantage an opponent would have by playing the favorite (seed-wise). Of course, I'm skeptical of whether Tennessee will actually be favored in some of their playoff games, depending on the opponent.

 

In any case, obviously I've been sandbagging today. But, I wasn't before the game. I honestly didn't think Tennessee's defense would play that well without the big guy in the middle. I feel a lot better about my team after that performance.

spindoc

 

Seriously, what was your take on the game yesterday? I didn't get to watch anything but the last couple of minutes.

 

Here's my honest opinion, based on what I read, highlights, etc...

 

I feel a lot better about the Titans than at any point this season. To play that way without Haynesworth (and Vanden Bosch) shows me that this team has more talent on defense than I thought. I knew they were really high on Jones, but I didn't expect 3.5 sacks. Of course, it was the Steelers, so who knows what to make of that. I wasn't worried about the Titans losing a couple of games as much as the way they'd seemed to be playing flat too much...and losing Haynesworth, I didn't want to go into the post-season losing all our momentum. I think that game yesterday was big for the Titans heading into the playoffs.

 

More than the defense though, I really didn't think the offense could do what they did against Pittsburgh. I can't imagine that anybody did. That is real cause for excitement.

 

As for Pittsburgh, I said it "tongue-in-cheek" earlier, but I really do believe this tough stretch of games took a bit of a toll on them. Also, is it possible they took a Haynesworth-less Titans team a little more lightly than they should? That doesn't seem to fit their personality, nor match up with Tomlin's MO as a head coach. Just wondering.

 

I'm glad the Titans won for several reasons. Home field is obvious. But, I think going into the playoffs with all the negative momentum could have been disastrous. And, finally, it makes next week's game vs. Indy absolutely meaningless, which I like...because those two could meet again in less than a month.

 

Heading into the playoffs, I would consider Tennessee the favorite for a couple of reasons...1) home field and 2) of all the playoff teams, they're the most complete and well-rounded. The passing game is the biggest "weakness" they have, but they've proven they can make plays and win games with the pass if necessary. They're not the Ravens or the Vikings.

 

But, they can be beat...by any of the other 5 AFC playoff teams, IMO. So, while they deserve the role as "favorite", its not the same level as New England and Indy have enjoyed in past seasons.

 

Playoffs should be fun. I don't really care who Tennessee plays...if they take care of business and bring their A-game, I'm confident they can beat anyone. I also feel like they could lose to anyone...so, in that regard, it doesn't really matter to me who they get in Round 2.

What? My team manned and played arguably its best offensive game (considering the opponent) and a beat up defense stepped up and played a great game...against an opponent that just ran out of steam at the end of a brutal month of football.

 

If they play again, there's no way Tennessee wins by 17. It was just one of those games...they happen sometimes and you can never predict it.

 

One week ago, the Titans were a struggling team that peaked to early and would probably be lucky to win its first playoff game...now, after one bad game by Pittsburgh, they've become the Super Bowl favorite again. I don't think so. They're still the same team...

 

I am just curious about, what you are doing with all those bags of sand. Are you expecting a flood? :D

spindoc

 

Seriously, what was your take on the game yesterday? I didn't get to watch anything but the last couple of minutes.

 

Here's my honest opinion, based on what I read, highlights, etc...

 

I feel a lot better about the Titans than at any point this season. To play that way without Haynesworth (and Vanden Bosch) shows me that this team has more talent on defense than I thought. I knew they were really high on Jones, but I didn't expect 3.5 sacks. Of course, it was the Steelers, so who knows what to make of that. I wasn't worried about the Titans losing a couple of games as much as the way they'd seemed to be playing flat too much...and losing Haynesworth, I didn't want to go into the post-season losing all our momentum. I think that game yesterday was big for the Titans heading into the playoffs.

 

More than the defense though, I really didn't think the offense could do what they did against Pittsburgh. I can't imagine that anybody did. That is real cause for excitement.

 

As for Pittsburgh, I said it "tongue-in-cheek" earlier, but I really do believe this tough stretch of games took a bit of a toll on them. Also, is it possible they took a Haynesworth-less Titans team a little more lightly than they should? That doesn't seem to fit their personality, nor match up with Tomlin's MO as a head coach. Just wondering.

 

I'm glad the Titans won for several reasons. Home field is obvious. But, I think going into the playoffs with all the negative momentum could have been disastrous. And, finally, it makes next week's game vs. Indy absolutely meaningless, which I like...because those two could meet again in less than a month.

 

Heading into the playoffs, I would consider Tennessee the favorite for a couple of reasons...1) home field and 2) of all the playoff teams, they're the most complete and well-rounded. The passing game is the biggest "weakness" they have, but they've proven they can make plays and win games with the pass if necessary. They're not the Ravens or the Vikings.

 

But, they can be beat...by any of the other 5 AFC playoff teams, IMO. So, while they deserve the role as "favorite", its not the same level as New England and Indy have enjoyed in past seasons.

 

Playoffs should be fun. I don't really care who Tennessee plays...if they take care of business and bring their A-game, I'm confident they can beat anyone. I also feel like they could lose to anyone...so, in that regard, it doesn't really matter to me who they get in Round 2.

Well, plain and simple, the Titans controlled the line of scrimmage. Both sides of the ball. They caught the Steelers in a couple of blitzes and frankly twice had free plays because the Steeler's were obviously offsides, and the veteran Collins took the shot. He hit on the first one and nearly hit on the second one.

 

I do think that Lebeau toned the package down a little. Perhaps to save a little. And the turnovers were the difference. As bad as the Steelers played, they were still always in it even with the 5 turnovers (of course the last one provided the big cushion). Ben took points off the board with the first fumble on the 2. Then threw a pick on the Tenn. 30. Those are at least 6 pts., not to mention that Reed missed one at the end of the half that would have made 9. So, those are the positives I take out of this one if I'm the Steelers.

 

On the other hand, the Titans continued to push the issue with their running game. It was far from punishing, but kept the Steeler D on the field. Collins avoided pressure which was in his face from time to time by checking down to his outlet and that proved to be a huge difference. Defensively, they just stymied the run game. And that without Haynesworth. Doesn't bode well for the Steelers if there is a rematch. If I were the Titans, I wouldn't be so concerned about having 8 in the box, and I'd make Ben beat me. I look forward to it if it comes to pass. Again, congrats to your boys 5, they were simply terrific on Sunday.

Well, plain and simple, the Titans controlled the line of scrimmage. Both sides of the ball. They caught the Steelers in a couple of blitzes and frankly twice had free plays because the Steeler's were obviously offsides, and the veteran Collins took the shot. He hit on the first one and nearly hit on the second one.

 

I do think that Lebeau toned the package down a little. Perhaps to save a little. And the turnovers were the difference. As bad as the Steelers played, they were still always in it even with the 5 turnovers (of course the last one provided the big cushion). Ben took points off the board with the first fumble on the 2. Then threw a pick on the Tenn. 30. Those are at least 6 pts., not to mention that Reed missed one at the end of the half that would have made 9. So, those are the positives I take out of this one if I'm the Steelers.

 

On the other hand, the Titans continued to push the issue with their running game. It was far from punishing, but kept the Steeler D on the field. Collins avoided pressure which was in his face from time to time by checking down to his outlet and that proved to be a huge difference. Defensively, they just stymied the run game. And that without Haynesworth. Doesn't bode well for the Steelers if there is a rematch. If I were the Titans, I wouldn't be so concerned about having 8 in the box, and I'd make Ben beat me. I look forward to it if it comes to pass. Again, congrats to your boys 5, they were simply terrific on Sunday.

 

Sounds like to me the Steelers gave the game away by turning the ball over...:sssh:

 

It is what it is. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, it's been a fun season. I understand it takes some luck to win the Super Bowl. Hopefully, Tennessee can play their best and get those few breaks needed to win the big one. The only way I'll be really disappointed is if the Titans give a game away. I at least want them to make their opponent beat them...

I'll say it again the Colts are the best team in the AFC.

Best indoor team, right?