OK Steelers, Playoffs Start Now: A Motivational Speech

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a touchdown in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

 Basically I’m tired of trashing the Steelers, saying why they are pretty much average, why they are a shell of the dominant team we are used to seeing. I know it’s in there somewhere, so maybe while Casey Hampton is searching for the restaurant that serves a quadruple Whooper, he’ll stumble upon this and share it with the rest of the team. Also note, when reading this, imagine Joey Porter’s semi raspy yell or Jack Lambert’s snarling toothless face for extra effect. 

Listen boys, this season hasn’t been pretty so far. Through 14 games all I’ve seen is a team who doesn’t want to work for four quarters each week. I’ve seen a team that has played for 60 minutes with 110% seven games so far. That’s not enough. That’s not acceptable. That is not Steelers football.

Steeler Nation is now pinned into a corner. There is no more next week. There is no more “what ifs” or “next times.” You forfeited that ability when you laid down like a dead dog in front of San Diego, did everything possible to lose against Cleveland and whiffed in Dallas. Your playoffs start now. The only team on the schedule is Cincinnati.

The team in Black and Gold that will take the field this week will be the team that we know you are. They will hit harder than anyone else. They will execute better than anyone else. They will take this football shove it down field against the opponents will and watch as they helpless try to stop it. The Steelers that will come out of the tunnel this week will bash the Bengals for 60 full minutes and walk out of the stadium knowing that this is only the first leg of a long battle of attrition.

This team is too talented not to win it all. This team is too talented to fail this season. This team is too talented to let a team like Cincinnati come into our house and walk away with a win. This is the last stand. Show the world that the last 14 games have been a fluke. No one respects you and they shouldn’t. So make them respect you and win playing Steelers Football.