Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
As Kimmy mentioned Monday in her MMQB, it is the week of the over-reactions. I think Cutler and the Bears offense proved that pretty well on Thursday night. One of the other big story lines this week has been about teams who lost week one and are in a ‘must win’ situation already. Analysts are talking about the low percentage of teams that make the playoffs after going 0-2. They also tell me that only 2 teams have won the Super Bowl after starting 0-2, but by my count there are three…The 1993 Dallas Cowboys, the 2001 New England Patriots and the 2007 New York Giants. Take that PTI.
The Cowboys were the first team to do it, and maybe only because they were missing Emmitt Smith the first two games due to a contract holdout. The 01 Patriots. Many of us in Steeler Nation remember would like to forget this as Tom’s coming out party. The Giants were the Cinderella team, making the playoffs as a wildcard, beat the aforementioned prince charming at the big dance.
Pittsburgh is no stranger to the 0-2 situations. If we go back ten years, Mike Vick was playing for the Falcons, Plaxico was wearing black and gold, and Tim Couch was in the pocket for Cleveland. The NFL was just realigned into 8 divisions, creating the AFC North. Also that year, the 2002 season, the Steelers went 0-2 to start. Kordell Stewart QB’d the first 2.5 games, was benched by Cowher after a dismal first half against Cleveland in week 4 (after a bye) and was replaced with Maddox, who would go out later in the season, leaving Kordell to lead the Steelers into the post season. Pittsburgh went on to win the AFC North at 10-5-1 and play in the AFC Championship game. The team was led by an emerging defensive force named Joey Porter and Jason Gildon, along with left guard Alan Faneca and Hines Ward.
Everything turned out just fine.
Ok enough BS. Is it ok for the Steelers to go 0-2? Hell no. Is a team always going to climb out of a deficit? History says no. I say no. This League says no.
Enough chatter guys, no more tweeting about doing better, no more interviews about winning, no more videos about getting a Lombardi. Go out Sunday and play. Hard. That means you Mr. Woodley.