Updated Nov. 7
The Pittsburgh Steelers have something in common with Saddam Hussein -- they both got death sentences Sunday; Hussein by hanging, the Steelers by Super Bowl hangover.
After losing to the Denver Broncos, the Steelers are now 2-6 and would need to rip off seven consecutive victories just to have a chance to make the playoffs. That's not happening.
|
|
| Ben Roethlisberger has been making too many mistakes for the Steelers. (AP) |
The Terrible Towels have new meaning: The Steelers are simply terrible.
Watching the Steelers lose to the Broncos was as bad as it can get for a Super Bowl champ. They turned the ball over six times, at home, in a game they had to have. The special teams are a mess, and there didn't appear to be any urgency.
After the game, running back Willie Parker questioned the hunger of the team, insinuating they got fat and happy.
That is not what we've come to expect from a Bill Cowher-coached team. And now halfway through the season, the questions about his future will intensify. The talk he was looking at retiring started last spring when Cowher and his family purchased a $2.5 million home in Raleigh, N.C., and his family moved there.
Cowher didn't shoot down the talk, which set off speculation that this could be his last season. Wonder now if he wished he had walked away after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy? Maybe in his mind he did.
Steelers insiders say the retirement talk is serious, which might have had a negative impact, although there are plenty of other reasons for the struggles.
- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident, appendectomy and concussion all have impacted his play. He has had some good games, but he has made too many ill-advised throws.
- The offensive line, which played strong in the playoff run, has not played well, which is surprising since right tackle Max Stark is in his second season as a starter now and guard Kendall Simmons is another year removed from knee surgery. Against Denver, left tackle Marvel Smith struggled badly.
- The pass rush is limited, which has made the secondary look downright average. Joey Porter has battled injuries and been mostly a non-factor and safety Troy Polamalu isn't having the same kind of season he had in 2005.
- The special teams have been abysmal. On Sunday, rookie Santonio Holmes fumbled a punt and a kickoff, losing the kickoff, and he was replaced for both duties. Jeff Reed also missed a 40-yard field goal.
- They have turned the ball over 24 times and have 11 takeaways. Their minus-11 is the worst in the NFL.
Add it all up, and it's understandable how this team is 2-6. Even through the struggles, you always seemed to have an idea that maybe they would turn it on like they did in 2005. This, aside from a player or two, is essentially the same team. Instead, they've lost three consecutive games and, barring a miracle, will be spending the postseason at home.
"I can't explain it," Steelers receiver Hines Ward said. "It's not like we became sorry overnight."
Last January, the Steelers beat the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on their way to winning the Super Bowl. But as the players strolled from the field to the locker room Sunday, that seemed like years ago. The dancing they did that day was replaced by sullen, what-the-heck-happened looks.
Death by Super Bowl hangover can be a cruel, cruel way to go.
The Power Rankings after Week 9:
| Power Rankings | ||||||||||
| Current | Team | Previous | ||||||||
 | 1 | Colts · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| They won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Saints · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| They get a major test next week when the Patriots come to town for a Monday night game. Is that the end of the unbeaten season? | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Vikings · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| Brett Favre might be having his best season. Who said he would flop? Oh, me. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Patriots · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| They bounced back nicely against the Jets and have a two-game lead in the division, but the Saints will be a great barometer for where they are now. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Cowboys · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| They beat the Redskins, but they still looked off. They'll get it going Thursday against the Raiders. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Bengals · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| What was that in Oakland? That reminds us a little of why they're still the Bengals. They had no business losing that game. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Chargers · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| They are rolling again after a slow start. What else is new for this team? They are the class of the AFC West, just like we thought they'd be. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Cardinals · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| They played a decent road game against the Rams, even if they made it interesting in the end. The running game is getting cranked up, which is great for the playoff run. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Eagles · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| They snapped a two-game losing streak against the Bears to keep their playoff chances solid. This is the time when the Eagles usually get it going. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Steelers · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| They just haven't looked that good this season. Something is off. It might be wise to work on that kickoff coverage. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Giants · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| Eli Manning's big game saved their season against Atlanta. Now they face a tough road game at Denver on a short week. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Broncos · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| Was their start a fraud? It sure looks like it. They aren't playing well on either side of the ball, but especially on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Jaguars · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| If the playoffs started today, they'd be in. Wow. They aren't winning pretty, but they're finding a way. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Packers · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| Losing Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season will impact that defense in a big way. It's good that the offense is playing better now to help offset it. | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Falcons · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They have three consecutive homes games to turn their season back around. The defense just gives up too many big plays. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Dolphins · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| Chad Henne is growing up. As he does, they will be better. The playoffs are still possible. But don't lose at Buffalo. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Ravens · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| They've been a disappointment so far. If they lose to the Steelers this week, they can say goodbye to the playoffs. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Texans · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| That loss at home to the Titans is a big hit to their playoff chances. They just never got it going on offense. Kris Brown choked two weeks in a row. Now the Colts come to town. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Titans · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| They are somehow still alive at 4-6. Winning four consecutive games after opening 0-6 is impressive. Vince Young is doing a nice job. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Jets · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| Mark Sanchez is playing like a rookie. But it doesn't mean he should sit down. He needs to grow and playing is the right way. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Panthers · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| They will likely have a new coach next season and that could mean the end for Jake Delhomme. He just isn't good enough. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Bears · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| Is Lovie Smith in trouble? He might be. Cutler sure hasn't lived up to the expectations. He needs help. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | 49ers · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| They can forget the playoffs now. The rest of the season is about finding out if Alex Smith is the long-term answer at quarterback. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Bills · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| Perry Fewell's first game showed a team that will still fight. And there was a Terrell Owens sighting. Amazing. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Seahawks · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| Count this team as one of the biggest flops of the season. But injuries have played a big part. Is Mike Holmgren coming to the rescue? | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Chiefs · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| They're on a two-game winning streak. Beating the Steelers is a big step for this young team. The Chiefs are improving. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Redskins · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| The best thing to come out of the Cowboys loss is that Jason Campbell played better. They're still fighting. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Raiders · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| Say hello to the bench, JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski is the guy the rest of the way. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Lions · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| Matt Stafford showed against the Browns that he was the right pick last April. They have their building block. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Rams · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| Do you feel sorry a little for Steven Jackson playing on this team? He's having a huge season. And now Marc Bulger is out? Ouch. | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Buccaneers · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| Josh Freeman played like a rookie against the Saints, but he will have those days. It's hard to believe that's a Bucs defense we've been watching. It tells us why Jim Bates was fired. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Browns · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| The good news is Brady Quinn is looking better. The bad news is the defense regressed. They have a long way to go to being able to compete for a playoff spot. | ||||||||||
