What Steelers Ugly Loss says about Future of 2014 season? posted by Steelers Fan

The Steelers had looked like the unstoppable team in the AFC. With Roethlisberger setting passing records and the defense shutting down every offense it faced.

However, when the Steelers faced off against the one win New York Jets Sunday, what Steeler team showed up was a far cry from the dominating presence that had been there for the last several games.

While one loss or one win doesn’t usually say much about the future of a team’s season, when a first place team loses to a one loss team, AND loses to that one loss team in a humiliating, demoralizing way, then there is cause for concern.

From the start of the game, the Jets ran the ball all over the Steelers D, going up 10-0 early in the game, but instead of rallying the Steelers had their next 3 drives end with turnovers. Hardly a display of urgency on a part of the offense, as they went into the half only scoring 3 points.

In the second half, Roethlisberger was picked off again, one of 4 Steeler turnovers on the day. While the stats look good on paper, it was the complete lack of urgency from the Steelers' offense. The no-huddle, which has paid major dividends in the last three weeks and the last two in particular, didn't make an appearance until the final minutes of the game. 

To watch the Steelers on Sunday against the Jets, one would not believe this was a team tied for first place.

They played down to an inferior opponent. They abandoned everything that worked on offense. Losing to a one-win team isn't going to help convince anyone that the Steelers are truly legitimate threats to reach the playoffs, let alone win a Super Bowl. This was a major step back that the Steelers should not have made. 

The 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers posted by Steelers Fan

The Pittsburgh Steelers won six of their last eight games last season, salvaging what looked like a lost campaign and ending the year with an even 8-8 record. This season, the team looks forward to building from that strong showing and perhaps entering the playoffs.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, throwing for 4,261 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions. Like his team, he started slowly with six scores and six picks in his first four outings. But he caught fire late in the season, and the Steelers hope he’ll bring that momentum in the new season.

But he’ll have to play without Emmanuel Sanders who was their starting receiver. Antonio Brown is still there and the receiver was impressive last year with 110 receptions. Still, the Steelers will need another receiver to step up.  Some of the more promising candidates to step up to the challenge are rookie Martavis Bryant and third-year pro Markus Wheaton.

The improved play of the Steelers offensive line was one of the top stories for the team last year. Guards David DeCastro and Ramon Foster were their top blockers last year, surrendering only two sacks.  Left tackle Kevin Beachum also did a stellar job of protecting the blind side of their quarterback, surrendering only one sack in the last six games of the season.

The Steelers have always taken pride in their defense, but they were uncharacteristically a step slower on defense the past year. In fact they allowed opposing teams to score 23 points per game against them.  The team hopes that two rookies--- Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt---- would provide the spark in defense. Michael Mitchell was also signed to boost the defense as he’ll start next to Troy Polamalu and in lieu of the ineffective Ryan Clark.

NFL Betting and Pittsburgh Steelers In 2013 posted by Steelers Fan

Some betting experts discourage people from placing a wager on their favourite team or even the season’s favourites. They instead advise people to remain objective as they place wagers on the teams. Most newbies tend to focus on their own team and this leads them to vote for teams with very poor chances of winning. Pros do their homework. They bet on a team based on facts instead of feelings. If you do this it can dramatically increase your chances of winning.

If you're a newbie, or simply can't bring yourself to bet against your own team then you might be better suited for other sides of online gambling, like for example online casinos. Take your pick from literally hundreds of slots machines available at places like Lucky Nugget who can be found at http://www.luckynuggetcasino.com/online-slots/ If you're not looking to branch too much into the world of casino game then don't be intimidated. Even though some people do enjoy intense games like poker, a bit of light-hearted, sports based fun like the slots found at the above URL can earn you a fair deal of money too. If this doesn't appeal to you at all, then do read on and we will try and ensure you a winning betting slip this weekend!

It is also important not to be too withdrawn; it takes away the fun and is counter intuitive. In order to follow the game closely, you need to have passion. If you are planning to engage in sports betting for the first time you may want to pick a sport that you love. Your experience, knowledge and willingness to learn will help you make better choices.
NFL Football betting is by far the most popular sports that people wager on. While baseball gives more options on how you can wager, football is simple and uncomplicated. This makes it easier for beginners to understand and feel comfortable with. If you are a Steels fan then you need to brace yourself for an unpredictable but exciting season.

The Opening Drive: Week 16, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

Week 16 in the NFL season has arrived! With two weeks left in the season, I don’t need to tell you how important these games are for those teams still in the hunt. It’s time to get into all the storylines in The Opening Drive!

(12-2) Atlanta Falcons at

(4-10) Detroit Lions

Saturday night football has arrived! And it’s… relatively meaningless. The Falcons are very close to locking down their one seed (only need one win) and the Lions could be another embarrassing loss away from blowing things up. This could be an entertaining (but non-competitive) contest to open the week.

(6-8) New Orleans Saints at

(8-6) Dallas Cowboys

I’ve already seen a LOT of coverage for this game, which only features one possible playoff participant. The Cowboys can win the division if they win their final two games, and that starts with an interesting match-up against the Saints. Drew Brees won’t take it light on a Dallas secondary that has been hit-or-miss this year. But I think the Saint defense won’t play as well as it appeared to last week versus the Bucs.

(5-9) San Diego Chargers at

(6-8) New York Jets

Wait. There has to be a reason I put this game on the list. THE GREG MCELROY ERA HAS BEGUN! But honestly, I don’t know if any of the Jets’ quarterbacks will be on the roster next season. And the Chargers? They’re a train wreck. AND I LOVE IT.

The Final Drive: Week 14, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

There were some wildly surprising results from week 14 in the NFL. Before we move on from the weekend’s action, it’s time to recap the best stories in The Final Drive!

(7-6) Dallas Cowboys 20

(7-6) Cincinnati Bengals 19

Not only is it impressive that the Cowboys focused up and found a way to win on the road against a quality opponent, but they did it while facing such enormous adversity. Losing a teammate 24 hours before the game has to be a shock to their system, but they maintained composure and kept themselves in the playoff race. Meanwhile, Cincy lost out on a prime opportunity to pull away from the Steelers, who lost a shocker. They dropped a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter and couldn’t get A.J. Green the ball. Both of which are concerns for a supposed playoff team.

(9-4) Indianapolis Colts 27

(4-9) Tennessee Titans 23

Dude. Andrew Luck. Stop it. We get it. You’re SUPER clutch. Next time you face an inferior team can you just blow the doors off them right away and not spot them points by throwing stupid interceptions? Obviously I love the drama, but I’m betting your fans could use less heart attacks.

(5-8) San Diego Chargers 34

(7-6) Pittsburgh Steelers 24

This was definitely the WTF game of the weekend. How the Steelers came out this flat at home against a team in such turmoil we’ve never know. Norv Turner pulled out all the tricks in this one, but this is just the biggest damn fluke I’ve ever seen. Shame on you Pittsburgh. Shame.

The Final Drive: Week 13, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

Week 13 of the NFL put a lot of races in the proper perspective. Teams began to clinch playoff spots/division titles and can now aim for loftier goals. Other teams had their struggles, including one squad that faced the unimaginable. It’s time for The Final Drive.

(11-1) Atlanta Falcons 23

(5-7) New Orleans Saints 13

Can we all just stop thinking the Saints are making the playoffs? Because it’s REALLY not happening. This may not have been the throat-stomping win for Atlanta that everyone wanted, but it was a solid victory that can only build on their confidence as they streak toward the number one seed in the NFC.

(8-4) Indianapolis Colts 35

(4-8) Detroit Lions 33

Luck does it again. I’m not a huge fan of all the interceptions he’s thrown, but he’s brought his team back all year long and has them primed for a playoff spot. It’s extraordinarily impressive. And he’s just going to get better. For Detroit, this is just another crushing loss in a season of disappointments. Put them out of their misery.

(8-4) Green Bay Packers 23

(6-6) Minnesota Vikings 14

Even when Adrian Peterson goes off for 210 yards on only 21 carries, Aaron Rodgers refuses to let his team lose. It’s pretty stunning what he can do sometimes. The Packers dominated time of possession, keeping Peterson on the sideline for almost two-thirds of the game. That’s the way to win.

The Opening Drive: Week 10, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

Capped by what can only be called “putrid” primetime contests, week 10 of the NFL season isn’t actually all that bad! We have some very interesting divisional match-ups, including a “losing coach gets fired” match in the NFC East and a possible trap for our lone undefeated squad. Let’s hop into The Opening Drive!

(5-3) Indianapolis Colts at

(1-7) Jacksonville Jaguars

Gross NFL Network. Gross. Indianapolis is a winning team, sure. But they’re not good enough to make this game overly enjoyable. Well, unless you like watching bad football. Like this guy. Jacksonville will entertain me all night long.

(6-3) New York Giants at

(3-5) Cincinnati Bengals

The Giants are apparently “slumping” after losing to the Steelers, so of course they’ll probably come out this week and expose the Bengals as pretenders. Hakeem Nicks says he’s going to play, so Eli will likely bust out of the passing rut he’s in. Cincy hasn’t proven that they can beat the good teams, only that they can hang with them. That shouldn’t change on Sunday.

(4-4) Detroit Lions at

(5-4) Minnesota Vikings

Early this year we thought the Vikings were for real and that the Lions were terrible. A handful of bad Christian Ponder performances in Minnesota and special teams adjustments in Detroit have since leveled the playing field. A win Sunday can put one of these teams in the clustered mix for a possible wildcard spot. (Because let’s face it, neither of them are winning the division.) I like the Lions’ one-dimensional offense over the Vikings’ one-dimensional offense.

The Opening Drive: Week 7, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

The NFL is full of parity through six weeks of this season, clearly evident by the fact that only two teams in the AFC are above .500. In week seven we get to see new takes on division rivalries and a battle for supremacy in the AFC. Let’s break down some games!

(4-2) Seattle Seahawks at

(4-2) San Francisco 49ers

Rookie QB Russell Wilson has been hit at home and miss on the road so far in 2012. Tonight, he gets to take on one of the best defenses in football. Unfortunately, they were embarrassed by Eli Manning last week and will probably take their frustration out on him. The Niners don’t like to play from behind, but I’m unconvinced the Seahawks are capable of pulling away. Seattle needs to keep this one close or else they could lose out on the division race.

(3-3) Green Bay Packers at

(3-3) St. Louis Rams

It’s been some time since a game between the Packers and the Rams would have been this intriguing. I’m not saying it’ll be close though. Green Bay is pulling itself out of a deep hole and is facing a stringy defense that likes aggressive, physical coverage. Aaron Rodgers could light up the scoreboard for a second straight week, leaving Sam Bradford and the out-manned Rams offense in catch-up mode. They just won’t be able to put up the same level of points if their defense can’t hold up. If the Rams are going to win this game, it’ll be because their defensive line pounded Aaron Rodgers into the ground. And with that Packer o-line? It’s a possibility.

First Down Friday: Week Two posted by Amari Harris

First Down Friday

Evening football fans,

Week one of the NFL season is in the books and week two is on deck.  We’ve already seen the Packers vindicate themselves on Thursday night football after their week one loss, but this definitely doesn’t look like the 15-1 team from 2011 or the Super Bowl team from 2010.  Everyone had high expectations for the Bears after some offseason upgrades (Brandon Marshall & Michael Bush), and they seemed to justify those expectation with a week one drubbing of the Colts 41-21.  But last night’s game seemed to foreshadow the unpredictability of the 2012 NFL season and it feels as though we may know less after week two than we did after week one (if that’s possible).  Here are my thoughts about this upcoming weekend’s games:

1. Scoring up?  Big Whoop!

Many fans and experts alike took note of the record breaking scoring that went on in week one, and a majority seemed concerned that this was a bad sign for the league.  The fact remains that the NFL has evolved into a more fast paced, passing-centered game that will result in more high scores.  Almost all new developments in the game are designed to enhance the passing game, increase the scoring, and bring more excitement to the game.  The NFL’s researchers know that audiences love the air shows that quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers, and Tom Brady conduct on a weekly basis. 

However, there is still room in this game for punishing defense and an effective run game.  That’s how the 49ers were able to beat up on that 15-1 Packers team from a year ago despite the Pack’s upgrades at several positions.  That’s how the Cowboys were able to get revenge on the Super Bowl champion Giants.  While the passing game will get you points, put you in a position to win games, and get you to the playoffs, defense and the running game keeps the other team off the board, ends games, and wins you a championship.  Some will argue that the last few Super Bowl champions didn’t have great regular season defenses, but if you look at any of those teams playoff runs, you will see that each of those defenses was playing the best at the time.  We’ll see if that trend continues or if the league will completely shift to an offense dominated game. 

Another Unpredictable NFL Season On the Way posted by Charles Bisbee

With the 2012 NFL season fast approaching, pundits are busy serving up another round of fearless predictions. I enjoy reading these predictions because 1. they are bold and 2. more often than not they prove be woefully inaccurate.

This is the great thing about the NFL: no one has a clue and anyone who says they do is full of baloney. The league has mostly been a crapshoot over the past 10 years (save for the Pats, Steelers, and Manning-lead Colts), with teams jostling for position like ping pong balls in a lottery draw.

And still some writers insist on using phrases like “up and coming” and “back of the pack” in an attempt to project a team’s un-chartable trajectory. History should have taught us that in the NFL the up and coming team is generally an illusion. Look at the Buccaneers, for example, who went a “promising” 10-6 in 2010 and then fell to 4-12 in 2011 (despite having largely the same roster). Now Si.com’s Don Banks predicts new head coach Greg Schiano  “easily will better the Bucs’ record of last year and have [the] club being identified by year’s end as one to watch in 2013.” Only in the NFL can a team go from up-and-comer to bottom of the pack to up-and-comer again in the span of 12 months.

The 49ers, on the other hand, flipped the script after a dismal 6-10 campaign in 2010, hired a new coach and finished 13-3 in 2011. Meanwhile, the Rams went a "promising" 7-9 under rookie quarterback Sam Bradford in 2010, kept the roster largely intact and then finished 2-14 last year. Where is the rhyme? Where is the reason? What can account for this anual see-saw?

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