On the eve of what has suddenly become the Steelers division to lose, the question marks on both teams remains defensively. The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) have seen a defense built on toughness, holding strong, and pride has been the weak link across the board in a roller coaster season. The Atlanta Falcons (5-8) also have underperformed on defense the entire season with literally the last-ranked defense (32 of 32) while allowing opponents to run wild on offense (Allowing 410.8 yds/game). While the Falcons are three games under. 500 and floundering, they find themselves in a better position in the league. Pittsburgh has righted a rocking ship to have control of its own playoff destiny in the strongest divison in the NFL and remains a mere 0.5 games behind the Bengals, who the Steelers rocked 42-21 last week. The Falcons are mired in the worst division in the league and could very well send a team of 6-10 or worse to the playoffs as the division leader thanks to every team in the NFC South underneath Atlanta. A late-season, playoff implication game will have every expectation of blazing points back and forth with each team bringing firepower offenses to the gridiron. The Steelers have a trio of playmakers in the Top 5 at their positions in Antonio Brown (2nd in yards, 1st in catches), LeVeon Bell (1st in AFC rushing and pushing for a 1,000/1,000 yard rushing/receiving season) and QB Ben Roethlisberger (4th in QB rating with 103.0, 29 TDs and 4,055 yards). With an unbalanced defense this offense has carried the team to blowouts of the Colts, Ravens, and Bengals, but have also caused losses to the Buccaneers and Jets. The Falcons hold claim to Julio Jones, the hottest receiver in the NFL over the last two weeks with 400+ yards and multiple touchdowns, matched with a cool-handed quarterback in Matt Matty Ice Ryan and a veteran possession WR in Roddy White. Between the two offenses, both with veteran and proven coaching (Steelers with Mike Tomlin, Falcons with Mike Smith) the apparent mismatch of records actually pit two teams with control of their playoff fate. No throw away, no spoilers, just two teams on different spectrums of winning percentage with everything to play for. In their losses the Steelers have been dumbfounded by disappointments against inferior teams in both Conferences. The massive potential on offense led to questions across the board following these losses were quickly answered the following weeks, but still have a fan base with questions to pair with their offense-based confidence. Atlanta entered the season with every expectation of running not only their division, but also making a push for the NFC. A solid, well-crafted QB, two pedigree WRs and a veteran running back from St. Louis in Steven Jackson seemed to set the stage for dominance. A rewired defense and promises of added toughness gave a fan base used to let-downs every reason to hold the 2014 Falcons to high standards. Needless to say a 5-8 record and countless defensive disasters would have crippled any other team, but the Falcons are in the NFC South. The AFC North holds the title of this years most competitive division with every team being at least 2 games over. 500. The mirror of the NFC North has the exact opposite claim, with every team at 5-8 or worse, but in the weakest division in the league a 5-8 record is anything but a death sentence. Instead, the Falcons lead their division with the appalling record, while the Steelers earned a 8-5 record and still find themselves fighting for position. In the end the game comes down to whichever team finds their solid offensive footing and can make the least mistakes in two porous defensive units. Every arrow of stability in 2014 points to the Steelers making it one game closer to the playoffs and division title. I agree. Steelers 31-Falcons 14
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:05:18 +0000
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