Defining point for this season and the future of this org?

[Jttsaz]

Does anyone else think that this game is the most important game the Cards have played in a long time? A win on the road in Pittsburg would not only give the Cards a much needed win on the road, would put them within stricking distance of .500 at 4-5, but would build on all the positive steps the organization has done last week with all the contract extensions and would finally make the rest of the league take notice. A win in Pittsburg would give the Cards some much needed respectability. I do think that a competitive and close loss wouldn't be a disaster, but a blowout loss would destroy any momentum this team has built in the last 3 weeks. It's show time...it could be like the 98 season when the Cards won thier last 3 games to get into the postseason...or will it be like that horrendous trip in Frisco last year?

 

[Tangodnzr]

This team has turned the corner.
It's taken time, and is no accident.
It's the result of planning, dedication and just plain hard work.
A win would be big. But a loss isn't going to destroy them either.
They still have a ways to go, certainly, but this is NOT a make or break game in that sense.

 

[CardAvenger]

I'm with Jttsaz. I'll even extend it to the next two games. After Cleveland, the schedule doesn't look real fun for the rest of the season. Winning those is key for us, imo.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Originally posted by Jttsaz
Does anyone else think that this game is the most important game the Cards have played in a long time? A win on the road in Pittsburg would not only give the Cards a much needed win on the road, would put them within stricking distance of .500 at 4-5, but would build on all the positive steps the organization has done last week with all the contract extensions and would finally make the rest of the league take notice. A win in Pittsburg would give the Cards some much needed respectability. I do think that a competitive and close loss wouldn't be a disaster, but a blowout loss would destroy any momentum this team has built in the last 3 weeks. It's show time...it could be like the 98 season when the Cards won thier last 3 games to get into the postseason...or will it be like that horrendous trip in Frisco last year?

In a sense, every game can be blown up into something extremely important, but this game seems moreso than most. People are talking, and suprisingly, they are talking about the Cards, and in a positive tone. I think a win isn't neccesary, but a strong showing would be quite nice.

 

[ds512az]

A win is imperative.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
This team has turned the corner.
It's taken time, and is no accident.
It's the result of planning, dedication and just plain hard work.
A win would be big. But a loss isn't going to destroy them either.
They still have a ways to go, certainly, but this is NOT a make or break game in that sense.

Hey, Tango's back! Our wise Yoda from Idaho! I agree that this game won't break us, but it would be nice to break the away game losing streak.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Never left.

....just haven't seen a whole lot of threads worth commenting on.

 

[Skkorpion]

No, it's not a make or break game except in one respect.

I think management will take a long look at how the coaching staff game-plans Pittsburgh. A run-the-ball, throw incomplete on third down attack from the coaches will shorten their current employment.

Teams beat the Steelers by throwing the ball a lot. If we don't, we are brain dead.

 

[football karma]

I agree Skkorp--

while there needs to be balance --

I like the matchup of Boldin/Johnson/Gilmore and Freddie vs. the Steeler pass defense more than Shipp and the o-line vs the run defense.

I expect the Steelers to emulate the defensive philosophy St Louis and Dallas employed against the Cards -- eight or nine in the box, stop the run on the way to the QB. Blitz, blitz, blitz. The Cardinals didnt handle the pressure very well, and insisted on trying to run into that defense on 1st and 2nd down.

Pittsburgh's secondary is inexperienced and their linebackers are much better near the line of scrimmage and rushing the passer than playing in space.

Pass to score early, run after you made them fear the pass.

 

[SunCityCarl]

To quote thousands of so called experts...

"In a 16 game season, all of them are a must win!"

The only folks that can lose without any worry is the Chiefs & they are on the bye.

 

[JeffGollin]

Does anyone else think that this game is the most important game the Cards have played in a long time?
Do not fall into the "This is a Must Game" trap.

Even though it is - just as every upcoming game will be (and should be regardless of our record).

 

[conraddobler]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
No, it's not a make or break game except in one respect.

I think management will take a long look at how the coaching staff game-plans Pittsburgh. A run-the-ball, throw incomplete on third down attack from the coaches will shorten their current employment.

Teams beat the Steelers by throwing the ball a lot. If we don't, we are brain dead.

I have argued this point myself and some have said that we should keep to our strength and run the ball. I have mixed feelings in that if we can run on them of course we should but I think it is a question of how dedicated you are going to be to it knowing that teams beat them usually through the air.

Basically if you go for a run the ball first mentality then by the time you figure out it isn't working it will be too late so unless there is some reason to believe it will work all game early IMO they have to pass often and from the beginning of the game.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
No, it's not a make or break game except in one respect.

I think management will take a long look at how the coaching staff game-plans Pittsburgh. A run-the-ball, throw incomplete on third down attack from the coaches will shorten their current employment.

Teams beat the Steelers by throwing the ball a lot. If we don't, we are brain dead.

I completely agree - the next two games are big games for Mac - I think they will ultimately determine if he is our head coach for the long haul.

 

[YRUGSFS]

I think that the next two weeks will define the season. If they win, I think they turned the corner. If they lose its the same old Cards. If they go 1-1, the jury is still out.

I think that they will go 1-1, to win in both Pittsburgh and Cleveland in back to back weeks is a difficult task for any team.

 

[jmt]

This game is winnable. We were toasted by Seattle (6-2), Dallas (6-2), and STL (5-3), three apparantly decent clubs. Pittsburgh is not 2-6 by accident. They must not be a very good team. I think we all fear getting blown out back to square one. Those two wins have given us renewed hope for this season. and more so for next year. A very big game indeed but not make or break.

GBR!

 

[Shane]

Just because a team is good at stopping the run doesnt necessarily mean that they cant be run on! Pitt is 4th in the NFL San Fran was 5th you see what we did to them! There are no sure things. We shouldnt jusy go in there and pass just for the sake of passing. Itis a possability the running game could be successful in Pitt!

Teams for whatever reason match-up better against some than others. We should not abandon the run by any stretch of the imagination!

 

[Snakester]

I would love to see us mix it up in the first half( run and pass ) and take a 10 point lead. Then do what ever works in the second half. I think the coaches just have to adjust to what the Steelers are gonna throw at us. If they are stacking 9 men up on the line on first down then by all means make them pay by throwing it. If they have a basic 4-3 with the DBs back in coverage then run Shipp down their throats. There is an audible for every play. Blake just needs to use them when needed.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Originally posted by Shane H
Just because a team is good at stopping the run doesnt necessarily mean that they cant be run on! Pitt is 4th in the NFL San Fran was 5th you see what we did to them! There are no sure things. We shouldnt jusy go in there and pass just for the sake of passing. Itis a possability the running game could be successful in Pitt!

Teams for whatever reason match-up better against some than others. We should not abandon the run by any stretch of the imagination!

I agree completely. Lets at least try to run it, say, for the duration of the first quarter.

If Marcell has eight carries for 10 yards, ok, then you make adjustments. But their run defense should at least be tested.

And balance should be a key. Certainly the squealer DC knows his pass D has been getting rocked lately, and they'll try to make adjustments. They not just going to concede the pass.

I heard plenty of people saying the San Fran D would stuff our running game and we annihilated them.

IMO, our offense on Sunday, for at least the first quarter, features Marcell and the Big Red Line.

Finally, I don't think this is "defining" moment for the organization. Its a must win, but not enough people are paying attention. There are other games down the road that might live up to the "defining moment" category, if we win the next two.

The counter to that argument is that a lopsided win by the Cardinals, but I mean a real shellacking, would serve notice that we were a team to be reckoned with.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Crimson Warrior


The counter to that argument is that a lopsided win by the Cardinals, but I mean a real shellacking, would serve notice that we were a team to be reckoned with.

I gotta say I'm more than a little nervous about this week's game - but you know what I just realized about that is - that means I actually think we have a shot to win! That is such a huge thing for me to not go into a game this season with relative indifference and hoping for just an okay quarter with a ton of entertaining mishaps that we could all argue about for the next week - I am actually starting to believe that this team can compete every week - and that is awesome - a blowout - might throw me from one extreme to the other - from the former leader of the darkside to the biggest champion of this team actually having a realistic shot at the playoffs. Jesez, what am I saying here?

Well, to put it simple - I still feel that we more than likely will lose this game - but we defintely have a shot and that is something I haven't felt about this team since before week 1 - and truth be told, didn't think I would feel for years with the current management in place - my hope is back - thanks to the team's performance the last two weeks and most of all the management - that I bashed so unmercifully for the last seven months - they have given me reason to hope again and that is the most important thing with this team. I also just watched the movie HARVEY, and anyone who doesn't feel ike a million bucks after watching that classic isn't alive.

Put it to the Steelers boys, this board is just waiting to explode!

 

[AzCards21]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
Put it to the Steelers boys, this board is just waiting to explode!

This city is ready to explode! All my co-workers and associates know I'm a season ticket holder and most conversations are centered around the Cards resurgance. This win will result in mucho ticket sales the next home game. This and a browns win will send it through the roof.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by AzCards21
This city is ready to explode! All my co-workers and associates know I'm a season ticket holder and most conversations are centered around the Cards resurgance. This win will result in mucho ticket sales the next home game. This and a browns win will send it through the roof.

if they somehow managed to pull off two more satright wins - they would 65,000 minimum for the Rams game - but we are getting WAY ahead of ourselves.

 

[AzCards21]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
if they somehow managed to pull off two more satright wins - they would 65,000 minimum for the Rams game - but we are getting WAY ahead of ourselves.

Look to the future and dare to dream!

Man, is this next week going to be an ultimate high or low. No inbetween.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by AzCards21
Look to the future and dare to dream!

Man, is this next week going to be an ultimate high or low. No inbetween.

eh - not true - if they come out and have a good showing against Pittsburg and are competitve all the way through - I won't be crushed - this is still a tough game - any road game is - and it's not like we're 6-3 or anything - it's a 3-5 team against a 2-6 team - I just want to see them continue to play good solid ball like I've seen for the last two weeks. If they get crushed, then I'll be pissed, but I won't take it out on management, I'll take it out on the coaches - because they are the only thing that can allow that to happen.

 

[AzCards21]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
eh - not true - if they come out and have a good showing against Pittsburg and are competitve all the way through - I won't be crushed - this is still a tough game - any road game is - and it's not like we're 6-3 or anything - it's a 3-5 team against a 2-6 team - I just want to see them continue to play good solid ball like I've seen for the last two weeks. If they get crushed, then I'll be pissed, but I won't take it out on management, I'll take it out on the coaches - because they are the only thing that can allow that to happen.

I'm talking about public perception, non-season ticket holders, wanna be bandwaggoners, etc. A loss by 1 is as bad as a loss by 20. Lose against a "percieved" power house and it's just the Cards. We know the steelers are beatable and yet a tough opponent and can take away from the game a true feel for what went down. We win against the steelers and the general public will responde. We lose and it's just another expected let down. I doubt any of the lay fans are thinking if the Cards only lose by 3 I'm getting some tickets. Win and their in.

 

[mulpwr]

Originally posted by jmt
This game is winnable. We were toasted by Seattle (6-2), Dallas (6-2), and STL (5-3), three apparantly decent clubs. Pittsburgh is not 2-6 by accident. They must not be a very good team. I think we all fear getting blown out back to square one. Those two wins have given us renewed hope for this season. and more so for next year. A very big game indeed but not make or break.

GBR!

By record they aren't very good but look to who they lost to.

Kansas City
Tennessee
Cleveland
Denver(before Kanell)McCaffrey played that game to.
St Louis
Seattle

So only a division rival that is among the best in the NFL is the only "bad" team the Steelers lost to.

Actually the Steelers are looking at this game as make or break. A loss and there playoff hopes are gone down the drain. Only the winner of the AFC North will make the playoffs. The Steelers would like to actually win a game and break a five game losing streak,so you know they are hungry.