OT: NFL

[IUP24]

I agree that the finish to the season is a bit of fool’s gold as it relates to the future beyond this season and I too am worried that making the playoffs will lead them to stick with the status quo. But had Watt not gotten hurt I do believe they had the potential to make some noise this year. Warren and Harris are a pretty potent duo and with the way they can control the ball and the clock with those two, a couple big plays from the defense might have been enough to pull an upset or two in an AFC field that has several flawed/banged up teams in it. Even still, if bad Josh Allen shows up on Sunday, I’m not ruling out the possibility of an upset.

I'm not either. I think if I evaluate them from a high level, I don't think they are better from a roster construction standpoint than other teams who did not make the postseason in the AFC. And that is alarming from how the NFL handicaps schedules, handles the non-lottery draft order, etc. Cincy is a better team than they are, but they were without a healthy Burrow all year. I don't believe they are better than Jacksonville. I think Indy is better than them.

[Chuck Norris]

I agree with this. I truthfully did not want the Steelers to make the playoffs because I just don't believe they are a good enough team to make noise in the playoffs. I'd rather they take a look in the mirror, recognize the flaws, and make tangible changes. But I recognize that's also not how they tend to operate either. I really want them to go outside the organization to hire an OC with a modern approach to NFL football. Those guys are out there. But I think with them winning their final three (against a combination of backup QBs, bad defenses, and a team with nothing to play for) it gives the notion that they are moving in the right direction and they will just make Eddie Faulkner the OC, deploying mostly the same scheme and vision shared by Tomlin and Matt Canada that got them into this mess in the first place.

I think for Pickett, if you think he is your guy, you owe it to him to bring in a new OC that fits more what he can do. He probably gets 8 games next year to show he can do it at this level. If not, you have to move on. But I think if you look at him even in college, he struggled mightily playing in the Sean Watson offense his first two years. That style of play was similar to what Canada was deploying. When Whipple arrived at Pitt, you started to see clear and natural progression with his development that ultimately reached a crescendo in 2021. But they were aggressive and trying things down the field. I think Pickett has been horrific all season, but I also don't think the offensive approach suited what he is probably best suited to do.

But overall, he every day he looks more and more like a non-NFL level player. Franchise guy, okay starter, backup, or whatever title you want to give. Like you, I'd love to be proven wrong.

I agree that the finish to the season is a bit of fool’s gold as it relates to the future beyond this season and I too am worried that making the playoffs will lead them to stick with the status quo. But had Watt not gotten hurt I do believe they had the potential to make some noise this year. Warren and Harris are a pretty potent duo and with the way they can control the ball and the clock with those two, a couple big plays from the defense might have been enough to pull an upset or two in an AFC field that has several flawed/banged up teams in it. Even still, if bad Josh Allen shows up on Sunday, I’m not ruling out the possibility of an upset.

[IUPNation]

And Jalen Hurts isn't helping with his interceptions in the second quarter. Somewhere in LA, "Potato Chip" Kelly is laughing at the way the Iggles are choking their season away.

Why...they won a ring after they sent him away. He still has nothing.

The Eagles are a dumpster fire...only one more week of this nonsense.

[IUP24]

This. When they had must win games, they gave the ball to QB 3 instead of their “franchise” quarterback. Maybe that’s what spooked Kenny when they didn’t even give him a uniform for the Seattle trip. He’s closer to being a career backup or out of the league than his is to being a top-tier franchise quarterback. I’m not trying to be overly harsh, but I believe that to be the case. I’d love to be proven wrong.

I agree with this. I truthfully did not want the Steelers to make the playoffs because I just don't believe they are a good enough team to make noise in the playoffs. I'd rather they take a look in the mirror, recognize the flaws, and make tangible changes. But I recognize that's also not how they tend to operate either. I really want them to go outside the organization to hire an OC with a modern approach to NFL football. Those guys are out there. But I think with them winning their final three (against a combination of backup QBs, bad defenses, and a team with nothing to play for) it gives the notion that they are moving in the right direction and they will just make Eddie Faulkner the OC, deploying mostly the same scheme and vision shared by Tomlin and Matt Canada that got them into this mess in the first place.

I think for Pickett, if you think he is your guy, you owe it to him to bring in a new OC that fits more what he can do. He probably gets 8 games next year to show he can do it at this level. If not, you have to move on. But I think if you look at him even in college, he struggled mightily playing in the Sean Watson offense his first two years. That style of play was similar to what Canada was deploying. When Whipple arrived at Pitt, you started to see clear and natural progression with his development that ultimately reached a crescendo in 2021. But they were aggressive and trying things down the field. I think Pickett has been horrific all season, but I also don't think the offensive approach suited what he is probably best suited to do.

But overall, he every day he looks more and more like a non-NFL level player. Franchise guy, okay starter, backup, or whatever title you want to give. Like you, I'd love to be proven wrong.

[EyeoftheHawk]

It has to be Rudolph if they get in. This offseason will be very interesting. First question would be will they re-sign Mason, who has probably made himself some pretty good money with his performance these last three weeks. But whether it’s Mason or somebody else, I’m not sure how you just hand the starting job back to Kenny without making him earn it in a legitimate competition in camp. They gave him the dreaded vote of confidence this week, but franchise QBs don’t get left on the bench for must win games when they get healthy.

This. When they had must win games, they gave the ball to QB 3 instead of their “franchise” quarterback. Maybe that’s what spooked Kenny when they didn’t even give him a uniform for the Seattle trip. He’s closer to being a career backup or out of the league than his is to being a top-tier franchise quarterback. I’m not trying to be overly harsh, but I believe that to be the case. I’d love to be proven wrong.

[ctrabs74]

Making matters worse, A.J. Brown may have a serious knee injury.

And Jalen Hurts isn't helping with his interceptions in the second quarter. Somewhere in LA, "Potato Chip" Kelly is laughing at the way the Iggles are choking their season away.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I was impressed with the way Tennessee pulled off the upset against Dem Jags. Lawrence looked okay through most of the game, but those last two passes on that final drive were so badly overthrown, it was borderline hilarious. With that Titans win, Houston managed to snag a home playoff game, just two years removed from being the worst team in football, while the Bills and Steelers end up in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Da Iggles are getting smoked by the New York Foosball Giants... 24-0 towards the end of the half. I can hear the calls to fire Tony Siriani at halftime with the way things are going in Jersey today.

Making matters worse, A.J. Brown may have a serious knee injury.

[ctrabs74]

I was impressed with the way Tennessee pulled off the upset against Dem Jags. Lawrence looked okay through most of the game, but those last two passes on that final drive were so badly overthrown, it was borderline hilarious. With that Titans win, Houston managed to snag a home playoff game, just two years removed from being the worst team in football, while the Bills and Steelers end up in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Da Iggles are getting smoked by the New York Foosball Giants... 24-0 towards the end of the half. I can hear the calls to fire Tony Siriani at halftime with the way things are going in Jersey today.

[Chuck Norris]

Mason about to be unleashed on the NFL playoffs

[Chuck Norris]

Devastating loss - on the field and in the locker room.

Yep. Good thing the NFL is so concerned about player safety. Not sure they could remain financially viable without those extra tens of millions from adding a 17th regular season game, lol.

[Chuck Norris]

Regardless of what happens, it was a fun finish.

Imagine if they get in ... who does Tomlin start at QB?


The Yinzers basically have a JV team, too, at this point. They all do.

It has to be Rudolph if they get in. This offseason will be very interesting. First question would be will they re-sign Mason, who has probably made himself some pretty good money with his performance these last three weeks. But whether it’s Mason or somebody else, I’m not sure how you just hand the starting job back to Kenny without making him earn it in a legitimate competition in camp. They gave him the dreaded vote of confidence this week, but franchise QBs don’t get left on the bench for must win games when they get healthy.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Word is Watt tore his MCL which is such a bummer. I don’t think they can win without him especially considering how beat up the defense already is.

Devastating loss - on the field and in the locker room.

[Chuck Norris]

Baffling. I don’t give them a ton of credit for today’s win because it was agains the Ravens’ JV, but I have to admit I gave them up for dead after the three game losing streak to Arizona, New England, and Indianapolis. Obviously they still need help to get in but if they do they better hope T.J. Watt just had a scare and not a serious knee injury.

Word is Watt tore his MCL which is such a bummer. I don’t think they can win without him especially considering how beat up the defense already is.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Regardless of what happens, it was a fun finish.

Imagine if they get in ... who does Tomlin start at QB?


The Yinzers basically have a JV team, too, at this point. They all do.

You have to start Mason Rudolph. I still don’t believe Kenny Pickett is an NFL starter, at least for a team that wants to be a perennial contender. Rudolph has won three in a row, all “must win” games, and you can see how much the run game has opened up now that they have a passing threat. There would be no reasonable justification for giving the ball back to Pickett the rest of the way this year. He can pout all he wants.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Baffling. I don’t give them a ton of credit for today’s win because it was agains the Ravens’ JV, but I have to admit I gave them up for dead after the three game losing streak to Arizona, New England, and Indianapolis. Obviously they still need help to get in but if they do they better hope T.J. Watt just had a scare and not a serious knee injury.

Regardless of what happens, it was a fun finish.

Imagine if they get in ... who does Tomlin start at QB?


The Yinzers basically have a JV team, too, at this point. They all do.