A Reframing Of Expectations Can Reveal Pittsburgh’s Potential
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It hasn’t looked like we imagined it would, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2. Despite a fair amount of ugly football and a monsoon of complaining from the black and gold faithful, this team has put itself in an incredible position through seven weeks. Yet, the conversation around them always seems to include a qualifier. “Yeah they’re 4-2 but…”
It may be time to move on from some of the expectations that are causing the disappointment that surrounds this successful team. A focus on who the Steelers truly are and how that team can succeed may be crucial moving forward.
Yes the offense has been bad, but perhaps if we hadn’t convinced ourselves that the offense was a juggernaut in waiting, we would be more thrilled with the start.
If we re-frame our expectations of the offense to that of a unit that ideally does enough to support an elite defense, it changes everything. Especially when you consider that Sunday made it clear that Diontae Johnson has the potential to make a sizable difference in Matt Canada’s group. At 4-2 with a defense that is breaking out and about to get one of its biggest stars back in Cameron Heyward, having an offense that is doing enough is good. The fact that it has serious potential to do more is great.
I know, it sounds like homer talk. But the chatter is coming from places that aren’t afraid to criticize.
On his weekly Herd Hierarchy segment Colin Cowherd nearly stunned himself with his own Steelers ranking.
“I can’t believe I have the Steelers at six,” The Fox Sports Host said. “This defense though. Fifty-four straight games under 400 yards, but if you dig deep, here’s what’s fascinating: Kenny Pickett is good in the fourth quarter. Five fourth-quarter comebacks, six game-winning drives in his last 18 starts… Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter this year, and this is a real thing for a young quarterback, he’s got some swag and some confidence. A 103 passer rating.”
Colin Cowherd explains why he now has the Steelers 6th in his Herd Hierarchy #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/MdCFiZySm6
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 24, 2023
Ben Roethlisberger, who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, is pushing the positivity as well. “I watched the Browns go a couple of weeks ago and win, I watch Baltimore go win, and I’m like, I think maybe we have more hope than we think.” Roethlisberger said on his podcast. “We’re playing those teams, and it’s like wow, we’ve passed them, and then they go blow out the Lions, they beat the Colts… People are like ‘Oh, we’re no good,’ but we’re 4-2 right now. We’re sitting in the driver’s seat.”
No one is trying to be the champion of the first 7 weeks of the NFL. The goal is to set yourself up to grow in a way that has you playing your best football come the most important time of the year.
“This team, they didn’t play well this weekend and won,” Cowherd said. “They beat Baltimore. Pittsburgh’s got an ability, and this is what good teams do, they scuff around for two-and-a-half, three quarters, and win, sometimes on the road.”
The fact that the Steelers are four and two with a lot of room to grow is huge. The fact that they actually seem to be growing in that direction is even bigger. It’s time we start recognizing that.
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