Though they’re 10-3, the Pittsburgh Steelers nonetheless aren’t being taken critically as a Super Bowl contender. A part of that’s as a result of nobody anticipated them to be this good earlier than the season started. Nevertheless, they’ve surpassed individuals’s expectations, being within the driver’s seat for the AFC North crown. This week, they’ll face perhaps their largest take a look at but in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. Analyst Craig Carton believes they’ll actually be Tremendous Bowl contenders in the event that they win this sport.
“They’re not anticipated to win this sport,” Carton stated Friday on FS1’s Breakfast Ball. “They’re not nearly as good, I don’t assume, as Philadelphia. No [George] Pickens, which is an enormous deal.
“If by some means, someway, I don’t care if it’s 6-3, I don’t care if it’s like final evening’s sport, no touchdowns, nice. In the event that they discover a technique to win, then no extra excuses by anyone else not together with Pittsburgh within the dialog of AFC groups that may probably make a run to New Orleans.”
On paper, this does look like a game the place the Eagles ought to dominate. Their roster is teeming with expertise, and so they’ve gained their final 9 video games. Going into Philadelphia and throwing chilly water on them is not any simple process.
Nevertheless, this wouldn’t be the primary time season year the Steelers have won because the underdog if it occurs. They beat the Washington Commanders on the street when that workforce was hotter than a pistol. They adopted that up by grounding the Baltimore Ravens, who regarded like the most effective workforce within the NFL. Underestimating the Steelers has been a mistake this 12 months.
The Steelers might pull off the upset this week. Not having Pickens does make their probabilities really feel slimmer, however their different weapons stepped up properly final Sunday. Their protection has made splash performs all 12 months too. If they’ll steal a couple of possessions from the Eagles, they may stroll out of Philadelphia with a win.
Additionally, it needs to be famous that even when they lose this sport, that doesn’t imply the Steelers can’t win the Tremendous Bowl. They’d nonetheless be 10-4 and on high of the AFC North. Their subsequent two video games would supply good alternatives for them to bounce again. In the event that they lose to the Eagles, however beat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Ravens, they’ll still look very strong.
The Steelers’ championship hopes don’t relaxation solely on this sport. Successful would assist extinguish among the doubt surrounding them, but it surely gained’t erase all of their flaws. Simply as properly, dropping wouldn’t sink their ship. As a complete, these remaining 4 video games will help tell the story about what the Steelers are more likely to do within the playoffs.
