Week 7 Steelers Pregame

The Steelers again opened themselves up to criticism while winning yet another game. Jacksonville, who came into last week's game with a 1-4 record and a rookie quarterback, were heavy underdogs and rightfully so. It looked like the Steelers would coast after jumping out to an early dominating performance and a pretty big lead. But alas, the Steelers lack of a killer instinct nearly cost them another game as it's done so many times in my time as a Steelers fan. But as Mike Tomlin says, NFL teams can't earn style points and the Steelers will continue to do what they do no matter how close they come to losing because even a narrow victory counts as a win.


What I'll be looking for this week:

• Finishing strong - The Steelers are, and always have been, capable of winning almost every game by two touchdowns or more under Mike Tomlin. However, it seems they only do it in games that they are underdogs in or games following a narrow escape. This week happens to be a case of the latter. I see a big win on the horizon.

• Don't look ahead - After the Cardinals, the Steelers get the Ravens and the Patriots. The Cardinals are really bad, but they are still an NFL team and if you take them lightly they can beat you. I still believe in Ken Whisenhunt and his team will be prepared to capitalize on lazy miscues.

• Larry Fitzgerald to be shut down - The Steelers not only have the best defense in the NFL, but they also have the best pass defense. Fitzy is really the only guy worth paying attention to and Kevin Kolb is a really bad quarterback so it shouldn't be a tough task to pay extra attention to him. The door is open for Beanie Wells and the Steelers replacement defensive line needs to shut him down as well.

• Final thoughts on Aaron Smith; Troy Polamalu's fine - This is not really a part of what I'm looking for, but it's something I wanted to touch on. Troy Polamalu getting fined $10,000 for letting his wife know that he's ok after nearly suffering a concussion. No player should be penalized for letting his family know that he's ok. Obviously this isn't a rule the NFL wants abused, but don't fine Polamalu or any other player. Why not put a phone on the sideline just for that occasion? And it's sad to see Aaron Smith's career (likely) end the way it is going to. He was a potential hall of famer three years ago and now he's played less than half a season in three consecutive years. A great guy and a great career and hopefully the Steelers can get him one more ring.

Prediction:

• Steelers 34, Cardinals 13

Articles:
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