Empfehlungen, Tipps und Strecken » I never thought it would take four years

Following a rather frustrating 17-10 loss to the Bills on Sunday https://www.thesteelerslockerroom.com/authentic-juju-smith-schuster-jersey , many feel that the Steelers, who dropped to 8-6, squandered a huge opportunity in their quest to qualify for the postseason. Yes and no.Yes, Pittsburgh could have made its path much, much clearer and easier with a win over the Bills. With a 9-5 record and tiebreaker advantages out the wazoo, the Steelers could have clinched a spot as early as this Sunday by defeating the Jets. But while the Steelers chances at the postseason aren’t as good as they were before Sunday night’s results, they are far from impossible. In fact, they’re as good as they were a year ago at this time, when they simply needed to win their final two games to clinch the AFC North and the fourth seed. Obviously, that didn’t happen, thanks to a gut-wrenching Week 16 loss to the Saints in the Superdome. The Steelers fell to 8-6-1 and, coupled with a Ravens’ victory over the Chargers in Los Angeles the night before, headed into Week 17 a half-a-game behind Baltimore.Therefore, the Steelers not only needed to defeat the Bengals in Week 17 at Heinz Field T. J. Watt Jersey , they needed the Browns, of all teams, to knock off Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium. As they prepared for their final game of the 2018 season, Mike Tomlin and his players may not have wanted to admit it, but it had to be a bit of a helpless feeling, knowing a victory over Cincinnati was only going to be half of the equation for getting to where they wanted to go. How weird is it that, despite the decimation the Steelers have suffered on offense this season, if they go into New York and take care of a 5-9 Jets team, they would head into Week 17 in much better shape than they were a year ago, when they had a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown (or so they thought, up until game day)? Pretty weird.Pretty empowering, as well—at least one might think so. It has been said that the Steelers chances of going on the road in the final week and defeating a Baltimore team that will likely have the top seed wrapped up and will be resting several key starters—including all-everything quarterback Lamar Jackson—would still be pretty slim. Funny thing is, it has also been said that the Titans Jerome Bettis Jersey White , who are still going to be very-much alive for a postseason spot no matter what happens in Week 16, will have a great chance to go into Houston in Week 17 and defeat a Texans team that, much like the Ravens, may have already clinched everything it could by that point—including the AFC South title. I don’t know about you, but I'm smitten with the idea of the Steelers going into Week 17 with more than one possible scenario for landing that sixth seed—and that would be a reality with a 9-6 record. Obviously, the Steelers are trying to win games with offensive replacements who have replaced the original replacements. Therefore, it’s quite possible that even a desperate and motivated Pittsburgh team could still lose on the road to a resting Ravens team. And it’s also possible that a desperate and motivated Tennessee team could go on the road and defeat a resting Texans’ team that was destroyed at home by a pathetic Broncos squad just one week after beating the Patriots.But nothing is set in stone, and if I’m the Steelers, I like my chances of going into Week 17 with more than one way to punch my ticket to the dance.With two weeks to go, the Steelers still have a great opportunity in front of them and more than a realistic chance of clinching a playoff berth. If nothing else, the Denver Broncos should be fresh for their season opener Monday night at Oakland.Not only did the players get a dozen days off between the start of training camp on July 18 and cutdown weekend, but they're getting two days off this week even as coaches work in seven new players whose first workout with the team came Monday in a 99-degree scorcher .Quarterback Joe Flacco only took 30 snaps in the preseason, directing four drives that produced two field goals, as he prepares for his second chapter in Denver and his first regular-season action since November.He and the other starters on offense sat out the last two exhibition games James Conner Jersey White , so they'll have had a nearly three-week break by the time they play the Raiders.That doesn't mean Vic Fangio is one of those head coaches who view September as a time to establish an identity after using starters sparingly in the preseason."No, we hope we know who we are. Now, obviously we may learn some things in these games ..." Fangio said. "But, no, we're trying to go out and we think we know who we are and play that way right now."But it could change."Just like his roster in the 48 hours following cuts.With seven newcomers, Fangio said he hadn't had time to talk with each of them."It's been so hectic," Fangio said. "They were in here at 6:30 this morning, took a physical and got suited up. Haven't had a big message for them yet."When he does get to that, it'll probably be something along the lines of getting ready to pitch in immediately."One thing about these guys that you've claimed from other teams, yes, they're coming in and learning a new system. But they've come from other camps, so they're football-ready," Fangio said. "And it's actually easier to come in and learn in a game week than it is in training camp because things are pared down and dialed in more."Only the Cardinals and Dolphins had more waiver wire claims than the Broncos, who filled four major needs by claiming backup QB Brandon Allen from the Rams Womens Jerome Bettis Jersey , fullback/tight end Andrew Beck from New England, guard/center Corey Levin from Tennessee and receiver/returner Diontae Spencer from Pittsburgh.They also traded for Patriots cornerback Duke Dawson, signed ex-Bengals cornerback Davontae Harris and re-signed inside linebackers Keishawn Bierria, who played 16 games for them last season, and Corey Nelson, who played in Denver from 2014-17."We're not the only team that's had these roster gymnastics," Fangio said. "It happens every year. John (Elway) and his guys were keeping track of everyone around the league, and we just felt that with each and every move it helped make us better. It doesn't mean that it's right, but that's what we're thinking."The Broncos needed help at linebacker with leading tackler Todd Davis (calf) and top reserve Joe Jones (triceps) out. Fangio said "there's a chance" Davis could return to practice this week and play in the opener, but Harris stepped right in calling defensive plays."I've been around the league a few times and each team I've been on I had the green sticker" allowing him to receive audio transmissions from the coaching staff, Nelson said. "I've been making the calls. So, it's nothing new to me. It will be nothing unfamiliar. I'm used to it."Harris, Nelson and Bierra replaced QB Drew Lock, TE Jake Butt and RB Theo Riddick Jerome Bettis Jersey , all of whom went on injured reserve.Spencer played four seasons in the Canadian Football League, where he returned 191 punts, including a whopping 82 last season for Ottawa."He's a seasoned returner," Fangio said.Spencer originally signed with the Rams in 2014, and after he was cut, he went to the CFL to try to get back to the NFL."" he said.Allen steps in as Flacco's backup with Lock out for at least eight games with a sprained right thumb."He comes from a similar system, so hopefully his learning curve will be short," Fangio said.Allen won't be spending his two off days this week relaxing, that's for sure."It'll be pretty extreme," Allen said of the crash course awaiting him in this offense. "I think it's not about trying to learn it all in the first week, but it's about being comfortable with some of the stuff they might have me do if that happens."Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton