NFL Steelers: Probabilities on Who They Meet in Playoffs and just how They Go With

Tennessee TitansThe Steelers thrashed the Titans in Week 5, but Tennessee has come a long way since. Chris Johnson is starting to obtain on track finally, and the Titans have found methods to win despite a dropoff in production using their receiver-less passing attack. Still, you'd have to think the Steelers could repeat at least a part of their Week 5 performance to unseat the Titans.The most popular thread I've found within the wild-card matches is that the Steelers like a 12-4 Wild Card are superior to any mixture of teams that may grab the fourth seed or even the third seed. I do not visit a trouble with them during this round.Now we have to throw in more variables. During my original predictions, the Cincinnati Bengals were the sixth seed. The brand new York Jets is one other viable wild-card option (excluding the Broncos, Raiders, Titans and Texans, who could feasibly have a wild-card berth when they miss out on their division).Assuming the Jets or Bengals face off against one of the likely third seeds (Oakland or Houston), either could proceed to the next round and face the top seed. That would mean the Steelers would face the 2nd seed.When the sixth seed team loses, the Steelers would face the 3rd seed. That will mean one of the teams we've already mentioned. That's more attractive than either likely matchup for any second seed: New England or Baltimore.Let's consider all of those teams individually.Offense vs. PittsburghThe Steelers did a great job in Week 8 of keeping the Patriots from the field. Once they were about the field, the Steelers took away Tom Brady's favorite targets (Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez) making him throw to Chad Ochocino or Deion Branch.The outcomes were that Brady, as they still completed plenty of passes, didn't get the ball in to the hands of his playmakers.The Steelers' defense still matches well with New England because of an above-average secondary that's featuring the improved William Gay and Keenan Lewis alongside Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu. The pass rush seems a likely plus against a Patriots line that is lacking some punch nowadays.Defense vs. PittsburghThe Steelers already proved what they can perform against New England's defense but will have to revamp their approach again because Bill Belichick doesn't let unexpected things happen exactly the same way twice. Their finest bet is to rely on deep passes and make New England's corners chase Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.I additionally think that Pittsburgh could be effective on the ground here. The game on offense against New England would be to always go ahead and take ball out of Tom Brady's hands for as long as possible. That's how you beat the Patriots.FlagDefense vs. PittsburghThe Baltimore defense were built with a much more trouble with the Steelers in their second game with Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger could work and get the ball to his receivers regularly and made just enough plays to place the Steelers in place to win.The running game would not be big from the Ravens, but play-action may be. The Ravens prefer to rush the passer continually within the same fashion because the Steelers, so trying to fake them and freeze them is a great ploy. Also, throwing in to the blitz is definitely the ideal choice. The Baltimore secondary is passable, but does not have a genuine weapon beyond Ed Reed right now.

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