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5 questions Steelers answered with win over the Cardinals

By Edward Hunt

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Can the Steelers win on Mountain Time?

I credit the way the Steelers have played in the west. They had a close matchup with the strong 49ers and they beat the Cardinals in Arizona.

Pittsburgh didn’t seem sluggish to start and played like it was a home game. It made a difference the way Steeler Nation was represented in Glendale. From looking at the stands on television, it looked as if Steeler fans were the majority.

It might help the migration patterns to Arizona. Steeler fans travel well and Arizona has a lot of football fans from other cities. This boded well for the Steelers who dominated the crowd noise.

Can Devlin Hodges keep his winning streak going?

Hodges is playing good enough football to win and that is helping his team win games. He beat the Arizona Cardinals and now has not lost on the season. Hodges is showing up like a quarterback who can be relied on.

While I like the play of Hodges, he is a backup quarterback and the defense is carrying the team. He has done well enough to earn the role of backup when Ben Roethlisberger comes back next year.

I think a real question is can Devlin Hodges be the quarterback after Ben retires. He seems to do enough to win games and Ben Roethlisberger early in his career relied on the Steel Curtain as well to win games. Hodges can only improve from here.

Conclusion

Pittsburgh is back to winning, albeit relying on new guys. They are playing excellent defense and creating turnovers which is their historical identity. Hodges is doing enough to score some points. The Steelers are also running the ball well.

It’s fun to think about Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Can defense win games in the cold weather? Pittsburgh could continue winning and make a run at the Super Bowl. It would also be a great story with the injuries they have had this season.

Next. Steelers Devlin Hodges has outplayed former 1st overall picks in two straight weeks. dark

If you have given up on this team, don’t. Their defense is playing like the Steelers of old. They are getting a great natural pass rush from their front four and their secondary is making plays. They are running the ball well and controlling the clock. There is a slim chance this team could make a Super Bowl run.

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