A Disappointing End to a Season Full of Promise

Despite the Steelers winning their game versus the Miami Dolphins today, the stars did not align and the Pittsburgh Steelers will once again not make the playoffs after winning the Superbowl.

This season was full of promise. However, the Steelers only sputtered through the lofty goal getting back to back championships. This season was full of disappointments:

1. Injuries. The Steelers has two season ending injuries that sidelined Aaron Smith and Troy Polamalu for most of the season. These two players are the best in the business when it comes to what they do for this defense. The lack of their presence killed. Then Ben missed the Baltimore game.

2. Defense. The Steelers came into this season with an elite defense. It never played like one all year long. Gay at CB failed, Smith and Polamalu missed a majority of the season, the entire secondary played like average joes', and pressure was inconsistent. Also, age caught up with James Farrior, Deshea Townsend, and Tyrone Carter.

3. Lack of identity. This was a problem until the last three games of the season. We waffled through the first half of the season with no game plan. In the final three games, we finally gave Ben full control at the steering wheel and let him lead us to three straight victories, one of which was his best performances as a pro.

4. A five-game losing streak. This is the most disappointing in my opinion. We lost to Baltimore and Cincinatti. I can concede to that. However, losing to Kansas City, Oakland, and then Cleveland in a matter of fourteen days was heartbreaking. If one of these would have been a win, the Steelers had the opportunity that the Jets are fighting for tonight: win and your in.

To Steeler Nation, it is only natural to feel pain and disappointment since the Steelers will not get a chance at another Lombardi Trophy. Take comfort in this: we are still the Pittsburgh Steelers, six time world champions. We have more Lombardi Trophies than anyone in the NFL. There is always next season, full of promise and hope.

Long live the Black & Gold!!