Rise of the Steel Curtain
by KingJohnIX | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
Rise of the Steel Curtain
Coach Scott took over a Steelers team that seems unwanted and discarded. They had an aging Big Ben, the hapless James Connor, aging Offensive lineman. The defense had some decent pieces to it, in Devin Bush, TJ Watt and Minkah Ftizpatrick. However, they also had an aging d line in Bud Dupree, Casey Hayward and Stephon Tuitt. This team needed some work but was he the right guy for it.
After benching Ben early on the Steelers started their QB carousel, with Jake Fromm. The first of many qbs to pass through Pittsburgh. The first season gave Coach Scott a little hope as the Steelers won a big game against the Titans with a gutsy 2 point conversion. Ending the first season at 6-10. It wasn’t a bad season but the team wanted more.
Leading into the second season we see the 3rd quarterback of the team in Dwayne Haskins. Pittsburgh jumped off to an unprecedented start of 8-0. They were well on their way to coasting to a division title. Then the unthinkable happened and the Steelers lost 8 in a row and missed the playoffs. Coach Scott’s job was in danger as the team considered replacing the young first time head coach.
Holy smokes!!! Heading into the third season the Steelers keep the same starting Qb. Hoping the continuity at quarterback and newly acquired Brian burns will lead them to the promised land. Behind a vaunted defense we finally see shades of the Steel Curtain starting to come down in Pittsburgh. As coach Scott secures a future contract as the team rattles off 12 wins, a division title and playoff berth. However, the young qbs struggled in the playoffs as Fomm and Haskins combined for 4 ints and no tds seem the Steelers fall just short at 27-24 in their first appearance.
4th season 4th starting QB. The Steelers acquire strong-armed Jacob Eason. Also, the curtain finally drops in the 4th season as they ass Chris Jones to the defensive line. Behind one of the league's best defenses a solid run game Pitt goes on to win a second division title at 10-6 and earn another playoff berth.This time they meet the Raiders in the WIld Card round. Fromm got the nod for the playoff game and was dialed in to the tune of 21-29 for 258 and 2 tds. The defense did their part nabbing 6 sacks, 3 interceptions and a forced fumble. Fromm quickly came down to earth in the divisional round as he threw 4 picks and the team lost 24-14 to the Jets
Would it really even be Pittsburgh if they didn’t have their 5th qb in 5 years. Losing the way they did in the playoffs the year before, they decided to bring in Jordan Love to take care of the ball as the team leaned on their defense and their stud RB Babineaux. Love was just the guy they needed as the Steelers went 13-3 and earned a first round bye. The team was humming on all cylinders as the Steelers met the Chiefs in the Divisional round. Grabbing a hard fought playoff win with a score of 32-27 , Pitt moves on to a rematch with the Jets. After a hard fought game in the AFC Title game the Steelers Move On to the Super Bowl to face the Falcons. After the first 3 quarters the Steelers and Coach Scott looked prime to claim their first Title. However, Magatron was too much to handle in the 4th qtr as the falcons came roaring back to win 28-27. Steelers heartbroken have to pick up the pieces and move on.
Wait!! Are you kidding me the Steelers keep Love and try to run it back. And boy do they run it back!!! They come out on a warpath running through the competition to a tune of a league best 15-1 record. The team clinches their 4th consecutive division title. Everything was going too well as the Steelers fell in the divisional round 17-13 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Have the Steelers and Coach Scott reached their peak will they keep it together.
Pittsburgh returns many starters on both sides of the ball. The biggest pieces missing are TJ Watt and Justin Layne as both were dealt in the offseason. Without two key players how will they respond? Not well as they open the season 1-2 and not looking good at all. However, they rattle off 7 in a row on their way to a 12-4 season good enough for the #2 seed. However, something seems different about this team. They are still the top 5 defense we have come to know. But now, now they are also toying around with a top 10 offense. As Love falls just short of league MVP this may be the most complete team Coach Scott has ever had. The Steelers face off with Division rival Bengals in the wild card round. The Steelers sent home the Bengals with their tails between their legs with a score of 44-0. Then came a defensive battle with the Texans. In a game with 8 turnovers and one offensive touchdown, Pittsburgh came out on top with a score 16-13. Now the AFC title game against a team Coach Scott just can’t figure out. Scott sat at 0-5 against the Broncos heading into this game. The defense came to play, as they hit lock on nearly every play if they didn’t hit him he was running for his life. Pitt forced 4 interceptions on their way to a 27-19 victory. Now, we get a superbowl rematch. Steelers vs Falcons who comes out on top? Only time will tell and that time is 4:15 EST Thursday April 8.2021