BlitzburghRockCity
12-12-2006, 12:12 AM
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06346/745412-66.stm
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
More Coverage:
Steelers Notebook: Spawning head coaches not new thing for Cowher
Ron Cook: Porter's words go too far
Winning four of their past five games has put thoughts of making the playoffs into many a Steelers fan's head, and, perhaps, even the Steelers believe they still have a shot.
More likely, they soon will think of what might have been.
The Steelers will be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend even if they win Sunday as long as Jacksonville and Cincinnati both win, according to the NFL. The Steelers would lose tiebreakers to either team in any scenario if all three finish 9-7. Two wild-card teams make the playoffs from each conference.
Even coach Bill Cowher wondered aloud about some of his team's close losses during his news conference yesterday.
"I can think of two or three games that probably a year ago we would have won," Cowher said. "Who can say what those two or three games would create, momentum-wise, and what that creates opportunity wise?"
Forget the momentum, two or three more victories would have given the Steelers a record of 8-5 or 9-4 and in the lead for at least a wild-card playoff berth or hot on the heals of Baltimore for the AFC North Division title. Instead, they are 6-7 and must win their final three games to have a small chance at making it as a wild-card team at 9-7.
If only ...
With their hopes for a playoff berth hanging barely by a thread it's easy to look back on what might have been. Here are four games that could have changed the Steelers' season.
Sept. 24 vs. Bengals
Lost, 28-20, but outgained the Bengals, 365-246. Ricardo Colclough muffed a punt in the fourth quarter with Steelers holding a 17-14 lead. Turnovers: 5.
Oct. 22 at Falcons
Lost, 41-38, in overtime, but outgained the Falcons, 473-399. A false-start penalty kept the Steelers from attempting a winning field goal. Turnovers: 4.
Oct. 29 at Raiders
Lost, 20-13, but outgained the Raiders, 360-98. Oakland returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Turnovers: 4.
Nov. 5 vs. Broncos
Lost, 31-20, but outgained the Broncos, 499-366. The Steelers fumbled six times, losing three. Turnovers: 6.
"We understand where we are," Cowher said. "It's the same place we've been. We have no margin of error. We have three games left and three very tough opponents beginning this week with Carolina."
It's do or die, we've got to first win our game against Carolina but even that may not be enough. All we can control is ourselves so it's up to us to hold up our end of the bargain and see what happens.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
More Coverage:
Steelers Notebook: Spawning head coaches not new thing for Cowher
Ron Cook: Porter's words go too far
Winning four of their past five games has put thoughts of making the playoffs into many a Steelers fan's head, and, perhaps, even the Steelers believe they still have a shot.
More likely, they soon will think of what might have been.
The Steelers will be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend even if they win Sunday as long as Jacksonville and Cincinnati both win, according to the NFL. The Steelers would lose tiebreakers to either team in any scenario if all three finish 9-7. Two wild-card teams make the playoffs from each conference.
Even coach Bill Cowher wondered aloud about some of his team's close losses during his news conference yesterday.
"I can think of two or three games that probably a year ago we would have won," Cowher said. "Who can say what those two or three games would create, momentum-wise, and what that creates opportunity wise?"
Forget the momentum, two or three more victories would have given the Steelers a record of 8-5 or 9-4 and in the lead for at least a wild-card playoff berth or hot on the heals of Baltimore for the AFC North Division title. Instead, they are 6-7 and must win their final three games to have a small chance at making it as a wild-card team at 9-7.
If only ...
With their hopes for a playoff berth hanging barely by a thread it's easy to look back on what might have been. Here are four games that could have changed the Steelers' season.
Sept. 24 vs. Bengals
Lost, 28-20, but outgained the Bengals, 365-246. Ricardo Colclough muffed a punt in the fourth quarter with Steelers holding a 17-14 lead. Turnovers: 5.
Oct. 22 at Falcons
Lost, 41-38, in overtime, but outgained the Falcons, 473-399. A false-start penalty kept the Steelers from attempting a winning field goal. Turnovers: 4.
Oct. 29 at Raiders
Lost, 20-13, but outgained the Raiders, 360-98. Oakland returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Turnovers: 4.
Nov. 5 vs. Broncos
Lost, 31-20, but outgained the Broncos, 499-366. The Steelers fumbled six times, losing three. Turnovers: 6.
"We understand where we are," Cowher said. "It's the same place we've been. We have no margin of error. We have three games left and three very tough opponents beginning this week with Carolina."
It's do or die, we've got to first win our game against Carolina but even that may not be enough. All we can control is ourselves so it's up to us to hold up our end of the bargain and see what happens.