Emotional Letdowns after big wins...Can Pittsburgh sustain the fire? - The Orange Mane

footstepsfrom#27 · 01-17-2006, 06:33 PM

We see it almost every year, but I think few fans recognize it as a major factor in how a team performs during the season, especially in the playoffs.

A few examples from this year:

Week 1, On opening day, September 11th...the inspired Dolphins ride their defense and a steam bath to a dominating win over eventual 13-3 Denver.

One week later...the Dolphins were emotionally flat as they let the pathetic Jets roll them by 10 and scored just 7 points.

Week 4, on October 2nd, the sky high Chargers looked like world beaters as they systematically destroyed the Superbowl champion Patriots in Foxborough 41-17.

One week later the Chargers lost at home to the Steelers.

Also on October 2nd, the Eagles took on the Chiefs and put up a furious and emotionally draining 2nd half rally, coming back from a huge deficit to overtake Kansas City and win a shocker, 37-31 in Arrowhead stadium.

One week later the Eagles, who looked like an unstopable offense the week before, were punked by Dallas 31-10 and began their descent into mediocrity just a year after going to the Superbowl.

Week 7, October 23rd, the Washington Redskins explode for 52 points as they anhilate the hapless 49ers by 35 points.

One week later, on October 30th, the Skins are blown out 36-0 by the Giants.

Week 15, on December 18th the Colts, having clinched their division and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a 13-0 run, were unready to match the emotional level of their opponent and were physically brutalized at home against an emotionally high Chargers team that came fired up and prepared to play.

On December 24th...one week later...that same Chargers team was smashed 20-7 in Kansas City and looked nothing like the team that beat the mighty Colts on the road.

Looking at the huge emotional roller coaster the Steelers rode to their win over the Colts, I wonder whether Pittsburgh will come into Denver unable to sustain the same emotional level they did against the Colts. It's something to ponder given the fact they will be playing their 3rd consecutive game on the road. Playing in Mile High that's a big hurdle to overcome against a team that had a bye week and will carry a season home record of 9-0, 12-2 in playoffs all time. I think this should be a close game, and one in which emotions may play a key role in who wins. Denver played an emotional game also, but I don't think it compares to the high tension drama we saw played out in Indy. Advantage...Denver.

FantomForce · 01-17-2006, 06:38 PM

No they won't Pittsburgh fans need to realize that beating the Colts was their superbowl!!

Bronco Bob · 01-17-2006, 06:41 PM

Don't forget about Denver's loss to the Giants after beating the Patriots and their loss to the Chiefs after beating the Cowboys, both statement games followed by a loss. I just hope that now they have gotten the monkey off their backs about not winning a play-off game since Elway it doesn't make them come out flat thinking they have finally accomplished something.

Tombstone RJ · 01-17-2006, 06:41 PM

Doubt it. There is a huge difference between regular season games and post season games. The Steelers are peaking at the right time.

-Slap- · 01-17-2006, 06:44 PM

The big emotional trend in this game is actually against the Broncos.

The last nine times a team has eliminated the defending champion from the playoffs, they've been eliminated the following week.

orinjkrush · 01-17-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

The big emotional trend in this game is actually against the Broncos.

The last nine times a team has eliminated the defending champion from the playoffs, they've been eliminated the following week.

grrrrrreat. yeah hmmmm. i think we are going to need you to come in this weekend. yeahhh.

Bronco Billy · 01-17-2006, 06:48 PM

Damn Slap, thanks for the good news!!!

Here was another trend: The New England Patiriots won 10 straight playoff games until last week!

Hulamau · 01-17-2006, 06:52 PM

I think this is a big key for us. No matter how jacked up they appear to be its gonna be VERY hard to match the emotional intensity after that unbelievably draining second half and 4th quarter for the Steelers.

They are flying high after winning and all, but now have to fly a 4 hour flight to Denver, not a puddle hopper to Indy or Cincy, check in to a hotel at a mile high and then have to walk into a hornets nest the next day with serious oxygen deficit which is bound to show up both in the first quarter and the fourth quarter when we need to strike really hard.

If we can get and maintain an 11+ to 14+ point lead through the first half, I like our chances. Our guys have the same challenge keeping the mojo going, but playing at home in this atmosphere with that extra day of rest the Steelers dont have and not having to fly, not to mention us having a bye week could be HUGE for us.

I'm just really glad we don't have to go play them at Heinz Field (although on the other hand they often lose more there than on the road).

We are going to have to play our very best tackling game too. No arm tackles or whiffs allowed. If the whole defense comes focussed on tackling and sticking it to everyone who has the ball we'll do alright.

We've got to spy Parker all day long and shut him down and plant Gold or DJ Williams on him coming out of the backfield. Controlling Parker, Heinz Ward and Miller and keeping Big Ben on the run and knocked on his ass frequently are the key to this game. We need to get a hat on that throwing arm of his early and see how much 'feeling' he has in it.

Another positive comes out when you look at the Steelers schedule in detail. They played a LOT of chumps this year. And either struggled to win or lost to most of the better teams.

footstepsfrom#27 · 01-17-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

The big emotional trend in this game is actually against the Broncos.

The last nine times a team has eliminated the defending champion from the playoffs, they've been eliminated the following week.

To know whether that's relevant here, we need to also know how many of those defending champions were also dominant in the following season when they lost in the playoffs. Clearly the Colts were much more dominant than the Pats this year.

Archie · 01-17-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulamau

...
They are flying high after winning and all, but now have to fly a 4 hour flight to Denver, not a puddle hopper to Indy or Cincy, check in to a hotel at a mile high and then have to walk into a hornets nest the next day with serious oxygen deficit which is bound to show up both in the first quarter and the forth quarter when we need to strike really hard.
...

Actually - I think for the Championship game they are required to come in on Friday. The flight should only be about 3 to 3.5 hours but then you are sitting around hotels for two days or practicing in unfamiliar confines.

ZONA · 01-17-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orinjkrush

grrrrrreat. yeah hmmmm. i think we are going to need you to come in this weekend. yeahhh.

Too funny man.

Yeah,Hmmm, I think we're gonna have to move your desk again........Ok then.

LMAO

RMT · 01-17-2006, 07:57 PM

It won't matter ... the Steelers are playing their THIRD consecutive road game. They have not played in the altitude this year and they have NEVER experienced the HOSTILE road environment that awaits them Sunday ... they are in for a real "treat".

Fans, it's time to take it to the next level (is that possible after last weekend?).

chuckrugger · 01-17-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMT

It won't matter ... the Steelers are playing their THIRD consecutive road game. They have not played in the altitude this year and they have NEVER experienced the HOSTILE road environment that awaits them Sunday ... they are in for a real "treat".

Fans, it's time to take it to the next level (is that possible after last weekend?).

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

footstepsfrom#27 · 01-17-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckrugger

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

Noise always matters. Whether it's overcome or not is a different question, but there's no denying it hinders a QB and his signals.

ludo21 · 01-17-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckrugger

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

noise is a HUGE factor. Ben will have to deal with it, he might be able to adjust to it again and make the plays, but maybe he wont.

Add in the Mile High air and we might have the best home field advantage of any team.

OUBLOWS · 01-17-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckrugger

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

Going out on Thurs. wouldn't make a difference as far as altitude, ran a couple of marathons in Co., I thought the same thing, rule of thumb is at least 30 days in higher altitude before a body fully adjusts.

By the way, please tell me you're not comparing today's Dog Pound against today's Mile High, 15 years ago, yes, today...not even close. I also can't remember the last time I watched a Ravens game and my TV looked out of focus because the entire stadium was shaking...

RMT · 01-17-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckrugger

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

it appears you've already convinced yourself of that (that the noise isn't going to be much of a factor) ... you and your Steelers have NO IDEA what's in store on Sunday ... NO IDEA ... Mile High was ROCKING the ENTIRE game last weekend. Sunday will NOT be "more of the same" ... it will be MORE AND THEN SOME!

-Slap- · 01-17-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

To know whether that's relevant here, we need to also know how many of those defending champions were also dominant in the following season when they lost in the playoffs. Clearly the Colts were much more dominant than the Pats this year.

Actually, none of it is relevant. Any trend that stretches over that many years, and involves that many teams, is nothing more than a statistical oddity.

scorpio · 01-17-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OUBLOWS

I also can't remember the last time I watched a Ravens game and my TV looked out of focus because the entire stadium was shaking...

One day the fans are going to create a resonance wave and tear Mile High apart like the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Just watch.

Hulamau · 01-17-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckrugger

Ummm, they have to play in Cleveland and Baltimore every year. It doesn't get much more hostile for the Steelers than playing in those two cities. They handled the noise in the RCA dome and they handled the noise in Minneapolis (where they actually DO recycle the crowd noise). The altitudes a factor and I wish they were going out on Thursday but the noise isn't gonna matter that much.

No, its the combination of really loud noise vanishingly thin air AND a REAL OPPONENT that makes the difference. Aunt Sally and her bridge club could beat the Browns and the ViQueens each year, even in the middle of a ZZ TOP Concert!

Vegas_Bronco · 01-17-2006, 11:45 PM

HINT: Hey Steelers fans, when it's 4th down and we're looking to run down the clock - watch for #84

Hulamau · 01-17-2006, 11:45 PM

Even Champ was gassed after that 100 yard INT return after defending that long drive of the Pats.

Ben Watson busted his ass and blew a gasket running him down from an angle and needed a lung transplant immediately afterward and was no good for the rest of the game for NE.

Kaylore · 01-17-2006, 11:49 PM

3-0 in home AFC Championship games.

Undefeated in Invesco playoff games

bronco610 · 01-17-2006, 11:52 PM

In the rca dome pitt took the crowd out early. Invesco will not let up.

orinjkrush · 01-18-2006, 06:43 AM

i still think this is where the Browncos could shine. if they don't know pissburgs offense by now..........we're DOOOOOOMED.

01-17-2006, 06:33 PM	#1
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Emotional Letdowns after big wins...Can Pittsburgh sustain the fire? We see it almost every year, but I think few fans recognize it as a major factor in how a team performs during the season, especially in the playoffs. A few examples from this year: Week 1, On opening day, September 11th...the inspired Dolphins ride their defense and a steam bath to a dominating win over eventual 13-3 Denver. One week later...the Dolphins were emotionally flat as they let the pathetic Jets roll them by 10 and scored just 7 points. Week 4, on October 2nd, the sky high Chargers looked like world beaters as they systematically destroyed the Superbowl champion Patriots in Foxborough 41-17. One week later the Chargers lost at home to the Steelers. Also on October 2nd, the Eagles took on the Chiefs and put up a furious and emotionally draining 2nd half rally, coming back from a huge deficit to overtake Kansas City and win a shocker, 37-31 in Arrowhead stadium. One week later the Eagles, who looked like an unstopable offense the week before, were punked by Dallas 31-10 and began their descent into mediocrity just a year after going to the Superbowl. Week 7, October 23rd, the Washington Redskins explode for 52 points as they anhilate the hapless 49ers by 35 points. One week later, on October 30th, the Skins are blown out 36-0 by the Giants. Week 15, on December 18th the Colts, having clinched their division and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a 13-0 run, were unready to match the emotional level of their opponent and were physically brutalized at home against an emotionally high Chargers team that came fired up and prepared to play. On December 24th...one week later...that same Chargers team was smashed 20-7 in Kansas City and looked nothing like the team that beat the mighty Colts on the road. Looking at the huge emotional roller coaster the Steelers rode to their win over the Colts, I wonder whether Pittsburgh will come into Denver unable to sustain the same emotional level they did against the Colts. It's something to ponder given the fact they will be playing their 3rd consecutive game on the road. Playing in Mile High that's a big hurdle to overcome against a team that had a bye week and will carry a season home record of 9-0, 12-2 in playoffs all time. I think this should be a close game, and one in which emotions may play a key role in who wins. Denver played an emotional game also, but I don't think it compares to the high tension drama we saw played out in Indy. Advantage...Denver. Last edited by footstepsfrom#27; 01-17-2006 at 06:54 PM..

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01-17-2006, 06:38 PM	#2
FantomForce Long live the Mane! The Incredible BULK! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Silt, Colorado Posts: 2,028	No they won't Pittsburgh fans need to realize that beating the Colts was their superbowl!!

01-17-2006, 06:41 PM	#3
Bronco Bob Tastee Freeze Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 9,464 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Don't forget about Denver's loss to the Giants after beating the Patriots and their loss to the Chiefs after beating the Cowboys, both statement games followed by a loss. I just hope that now they have gotten the monkey off their backs about not winning a play-off game since Elway it doesn't make them come out flat thinking they have finally accomplished something.

01-17-2006, 06:41 PM	#4
Tombstone RJ Ring of Famer Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the Tetons! Posts: 19,278 Adopt-a-Bronco: WorrellWilliams	Doubt it. There is a huge difference between regular season games and post season games. The Steelers are peaking at the right time.

01-17-2006, 06:44 PM	#5
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	The big emotional trend in this game is actually against the Broncos. The last nine times a team has eliminated the defending champion from the playoffs, they've been eliminated the following week.

01-17-2006, 06:48 PM	#7
Bronco Billy Ring of Famer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,322	Damn Slap, thanks for the good news!!! Here was another trend: The New England Patiriots won 10 straight playoff games until last week!

01-17-2006, 06:52 PM	#8
Hulamau Polynesian Paralysis In the Pocket Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hulaville and Sedona Posts: 8,031 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eric Decker	I think this is a big key for us. No matter how jacked up they appear to be its gonna be VERY hard to match the emotional intensity after that unbelievably draining second half and 4th quarter for the Steelers. They are flying high after winning and all, but now have to fly a 4 hour flight to Denver, not a puddle hopper to Indy or Cincy, check in to a hotel at a mile high and then have to walk into a hornets nest the next day with serious oxygen deficit which is bound to show up both in the first quarter and the fourth quarter when we need to strike really hard. If we can get and maintain an 11+ to 14+ point lead through the first half, I like our chances. Our guys have the same challenge keeping the mojo going, but playing at home in this atmosphere with that extra day of rest the Steelers dont have and not having to fly, not to mention us having a bye week could be HUGE for us. I'm just really glad we don't have to go play them at Heinz Field (although on the other hand they often lose more there than on the road). We are going to have to play our very best tackling game too. No arm tackles or whiffs allowed. If the whole defense comes focussed on tackling and sticking it to everyone who has the ball we'll do alright. We've got to spy Parker all day long and shut him down and plant Gold or DJ Williams on him coming out of the backfield. Controlling Parker, Heinz Ward and Miller and keeping Big Ben on the run and knocked on his ass frequently are the key to this game. We need to get a hat on that throwing arm of his early and see how much 'feeling' he has in it. Another positive comes out when you look at the Steelers schedule in detail. They played a LOT of chumps this year. And either struggled to win or lost to most of the better teams. Last edited by Hulamau; 01-17-2006 at 11:10 PM..

01-17-2006, 07:57 PM	#12
RMT Rocky Mountain Thunder Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: United States Posts: 3,211	It won't matter ... the Steelers are playing their THIRD consecutive road game. They have not played in the altitude this year and they have NEVER experienced the HOSTILE road environment that awaits them Sunday ... they are in for a real "treat". Fans, it's time to take it to the next level (is that possible after last weekend?).

01-17-2006, 11:45 PM	#21
Vegas_Bronco Ring of Famer Fear is a lack of preparation. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 63 Yards Out Posts: 4,024 Adopt-a-Bronco: 1 Elam 1	HINT: Hey Steelers fans, when it's 4th down and we're looking to run down the clock - watch for #84

01-17-2006, 11:49 PM	#23
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,019 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	3-0 in home AFC Championship games. Undefeated in Invesco playoff games

01-17-2006, 11:52 PM	#24
bronco610 OLD FART Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 2,025 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	In the rca dome pitt took the crowd out early. Invesco will not let up.

01-18-2006, 06:43 AM	#25
orinjkrush ... Prospects for the future... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DistrictOfCorruption Posts: 4,913 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ben Garland	i still think this is where the Browncos could shine. if they don't know pissburgs offense by now..........we're DOOOOOOMED.