U mad, bro?: Fans all over the map about how Steelers rate, stack up to Chiefs

Are you mad that the government doesn’t want you congregating for Thanksgiving? Yeah. I get it.

But that’ll result in fewer angry debates at the dinner table. So that’s a plus.

Instead, you can just get mad on Twitter like we do the other 364 days of the year.

To that end, let’s sneak in an all-Twitter “U mad, bro?” before the holiday. This year, no Turkey Day debates about firing Mike Tomlin, who should play quarterback, and how come the Steelers can’t beat the Patriots.

But, even at 10-0, there’s still plenty to make Steelers fans edgy. So pound your drumstick on the table and ask for seconds as we pour the gravy on top of this week’s “U mad, bro?” post.

Just for the sake of variety, let’s all agree on something to start off: T.J. Watt is getting held way too much.

It’s reached circa-2008 James Harrison levels now. For instance, the play in Jacksonville when he was blatantly tackled by a Jaguars offensive lineman. Yet, there was no flag.

Jon agrees with me.

I would hope that’s just an attempt to speed the game up, if that pass is caught throw the flag if not get the punt team out there. Would of been declined anyway

— Jon Vesco (@jjvesco1) November 22, 2020

I hear you, Jon. But deciding to throw a flag based on the result of the play is a slippery slope.

Plus, if the official waits out the result of the play and the quarterback uses his extra time to extend it by scrambling around, it becomes obvious what the official is doing if the flag gets dropped five seconds after Watt is wrestled to the ground.

You have to remember it’s not just about refusing to negate a positive play for the offense by properly dropping the flag. It’s about refusing to tack on negative yards for a hold that otherwise would have resulted in lost yardage (and a lost down) with a sack.

It’s a hold or it isn’t. Throw the flag or don’t. To your point, maybe not every time. But in egregious cases like that one, drop the hankey.

On Tuesday, I rebuffed a discussion on ESPN about the 10-0 Steelers being “overrated.” I don’t think it’s possible to overrate a 10-0 NFL team, if they are the only unbeaten team in the league at the time.

“Persistor” doesn’t seem to be on board with my assessment.

How about a 10-1 NFL team, say the 2019 Patriots.....

— Persistor (@wrunme) November 24, 2020

Well, based on what I could find, Sports Illustrated had them third behind the other two 10-1 teams at the time (Baltimore and San Francisco). And last year’s Patriots were just in front of a 9-2 Seahawks club.

So, you tell me. I guess not. They were the lowest rated of the one-loss clubs at the time. And they finished with the worst record of the bunch.

I see what you are trying to say. If the 2020 Chiefs and Saints had been 10-0 at this point as well, maybe I’d agree that the Steelers would be overrated if they were slotted in front of those franchises.

But, for now, they are 10-0 with a schedule that is roughly similar to how the Chiefs got to 9-1. Hence, I don’t know how the claim is made that they are overrated.

If you want to make a subjective argument that Kansas City, New Orleans or someone else will be better by season’s end, be my guest. You may have a point.

But predicting an eventual demise of the Steelers is a different argument than inferring they are getting too much credit for whatever accomplishments they have attained so far.

Randy doesn’t want me to get too far out on my skis about the Steelers just yet.

It’s cool and exciting watching this years Steelers team,BUT there isn’t a trophy for Undefeated during the regular season and Undefeated doesn’t mean a damn thing if you don’t win the Super Bowl.Just ask the 2007 Patriots.

— Randy French (@randy_french) November 24, 2020

I could ask the 1976 Steelers, too, if you want. Many say that was the best Steelers team of that decade, but they didn’t win a Super Bowl.

And, yes, I’m aware the NFL doesn’t hand out a version of the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy.

But that’s not the point. The point isn’t to preemptively claim the Steelers will win the Super Bowl. The point was to refute the notion that their 10-0 start has been “overrated” to this point.

I’m not sure how it could be overrated when most people I come across seem to be assuming the Chiefs are better anyway.

Speaking of which, this tweet from @HoFSpillane predicts doom for a potential matchup against the Chiefs.

I envision a matchup against KC where Mahomes with a quick no huddle offense moves down the field on a gassed Steelers Defense..and the Steelers simply can't keep up with long drives of short passes. You saw the Raiders tonight play a pretty good game tonight and still lost.

— RobertSpillaneHOF (@HofSpillane) November 23, 2020

Yeah. Maybe. Kansas City can exploit some defensive deficiencies other offenses have failed to highlight.

You know what else you saw, though? Mahomes attempted 49 dropbacks without being sacked. The Raiders only have 11 sacks. The second-lowest total in football. The Steelers have 38. The most in football.

That has to be part of your equation, too.

This guy is on the other side of the fence. He says there is too much media fawning over Kansas City.

Media is enamored with offense, but defense still matters. Steelers haven't allowed 30 in 25 games. Chiefs have in their last two and 3 of their last 6.

Mahomes won't face pressure all year like he will from the Steelers.

— matchbox (@matchboxgimlet) November 24, 2020

I’m with you. As I pointed out above, the Steelers pressure will be a factor in that game if it happens.

And as far as the Chiefs defense is concerned, they are seventh in the league in points allowed. Just 21.4 points per game. The Steelers are tops at 17.4 points per game. But Kansas City allows tons of yards on the ground, 133.5 yards on average. That’s 26th in the NFL.

I just wish the Steelers ground game was good enough to exploit that. It isn’t.

Finally, let’s get to something really controversial.

Thanksgiving side dishes power rankings:

1. Stuffing
2. Gravy
3. Corn casserole
4. Rolls
5. Mashed potatoes pic.twitter.com/rKHfQE0ZsK

— Mikey (@fsmikey) November 24, 2020

I’m on board with stuffing being No. 1. I’d have mashed potatoes higher. And where is apple pie?

But good call on leaving yams/sweet potatoes off the list. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the concept of “overrated” today. You need look no further than yams/sweet potatoes.

Ick.