In my opinion the Panthers offense was vastly overrated for what it was. The run game was obviously impressive but not other wordly, it was more scheme than talent, and talent can be defeated. Their tackles sucked, and just remember what even Jason Worilds(remember him) did to Michael Oher back in the day, I’d fancy JJ and Deebo cold get at least something going. Shazier would have been ideal to Green dog (spy/ blitz) Newton, and their receivers plain and simple were vastly average.

But most importantly the Panthers defense consistently put the offense in fantastic position to succeed, something the Steelers D kind of struggled at all season. Panthers were a great football team, no doubt, but they weren’t 15-1 good, they were a schedule dominater.

If the Steelers offense avoided the big turnovers in their own territory, I’d probably have puck the Steelers on a neutral field…,maybe

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Also, I think you are missing the “straw that broke the camel’s back” point. Carolina’s offense was good enough to handle everything up to a Denver-level defense, but fell apart under that level of pressure. The Steelers would not have broken through that hard crust. As for what that says about the Steeler offense, [insert maniacal chuckle of glee].

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Indeed it will be a long one. Let’s hope it is a productive one for the front office as well…

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Good for Ike by the by. He was quite prescient with his picks throughout the year at the league site and dead on about the defense would indeed be a ‘virtue’ by season’s end.

Excited for next year already. Going to be a long long winter and summer, but prayers up for the lads to stay healthy.

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Our opportunistic D. so close to taking down the eventual SB champs. Many Steeler fans were more than happy at what the squad did this year, but this fan won’t soon forget just how close we were to going to NE for a Showdown in the Snow. What a pity we will never know what might have been. Roby causing poor Toussaint to fumble as he did was such a fluke.

Hope Deebo comes back to keep setting a shining example to the rest of our defense as to how pros should practice and play: with dedication, commitment and passion. And secondary issues remain a major concern no doubt. Shout out to Keith Butler for what he did with this defense this year, did not think they would be as good as they often were when the money was on the table and was quite concerned when Coach Dad departed for Nashville.

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