The Steelers Must Do These Things To Finish Strong

Week 15 is almost over, there's just one game left and it just might hold the key to how the Steelers perform in the post-season this season. There were some major surprises this week that helped the Steelers out and made their chances look much better.

Number 1.
In the early games Kansas City shocked Green Bay. I have to admit I did not see this one coming. I thought if anyone was going to beat them it would have happened against the Giants a few weeks ago. The Pack pulled that one out and set themselves up well to run the regular season table. They ran into the Haleyless Chiefs though and were thoroughly dominated. They have 2 tough games left against the Bears and Lions, but those are both at the Curly, so they should win those. The bad thing about this is now they are aware that they are beatable. As before they just seemed to be on cruise control knocking of each opponent they faced. What's the saying about sleeping giants? I think the Chefs might have just woke them up. The good thing is the Steelers win against the Chiefs doesn't look so bad, remember it was a struggle to escape Arrowhead with the win.

Number 2.
Most importantly for the Steelers playoff positioning was the game Sunday night between the Ravens and the Chargers. This one was a little more predictable than the other game because it was in San Diego and the Chargers are on their usual late season roll. I thought the Ravens would put up more of a fight, but they again choked and lost control of their playoff destiny this year. As of now they are in the fifth spot in the AFC and will be again packing their bags for the playoffs if the Steelers and Patriots win out. That's counting our chickens a little early, because the Steelers are also travelling to the West Coast this weekend to face the other Harbaugh and the 49ers. Arians has said this week he doesn't know what information can be given to Jim by John to help the Niners, but the Ravens have given the Steelers a tough time this year and know more than any team how to play them. Arians said the Niners won't change their game plan to beat the Steelers, but I disagree. If John gives Jim information on how to beat the Steelers he's not going to say, "No, I think we'll just give it a shot with what we've got." A good coach will adapt and try every trick they have up their sleeve. Jim has proven that he's not a bad coach, turning a team and a quarterback into a contender in one year.

Number 3.
The Steelers have 3 winnable games left. Tonight, at home against the Rams and at Cleveland. Tonight should be the toughest of the 3 facing a good team away from home. If they can win out they will have secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs by virtue of their win against the Pats. Seems like plenty of incentive to do just that. We will see if the veterans on this team have a Super Bowl Run left in them. If they win these 3 games they will be on a significant roll heading into the playoffs and they'll get a week off, which doesn't hurt.