Sep 13, 2014 4 min read

Two games into the 2014 season, people are already ready to blow the Steelers up and start over. Apparently, they don’t recall the 0-4 start of a year ago.

The Steelers rebounded from that 0-4 start last season to be a one missed Ryan Succup field goal away from making the playoffs at 8-8. They also were one inch of Antonio Brown’s foot away from pulling off a victory against Miami from being 9-7.

I’ve heard the tired old argument about the Steelers not “deserving” to make the playoffs last season. Spare me. You’re either in the playoffs or your not. And if you’re in, you deserve to be there.

Which brings us to this season.

The Steelers faced a tall task going to Baltimore Thursday night, just four days after playing their regular season opener. Since the NFL started playing regular Thursday night games in 2006, the home teams are 42-24 in those games, a winning percentage of .636. Typically, NFL teams at home win 57 percent of the time.

So there’s a decided advantage for the home team in Thursday night games, and Baltimore was already a tough place to play.

That doesn’t mean you excuse the loss in Baltimore, especially not considering some of the issues the Steelers had.

But they were already facing an uphill battle, And comitting nine penalties in the game, giving them 20 two games into the season, didn’t help.

That’s something the Steelers can correct. They haven’t been a highly penalized team in recent years and that should balance itself out.

But there are some moves to be made. First and foremost would be ending defensive end Cam Thomas’ time in the starting lineup and getting rookie Stephon Tuitt more playing time.

Tuitt is young and athletic. He’s the future. And he’ll only get better with more playing time.

Thomas has proven to be, well, not all that athletic. And at this point in his career, he is what he is, which looks to be a player better suited to a backup role.

Tuitt got nine snaps against Cleveland and 15 against Baltimore, while Thomas got 43 and 47 in those games.

It says here that those numbers should be reversed.

Tuitt’s increased playing time should be coming sooner rather than later.

We knew going into this season that the Steelers defense would be a work in progress and that the offense would need to carry the team while the defense caught up.

Thursday night in Baltimore, that didn’t happen.

Now, let’s move on to this week’s games.

I’m not buying this Carolina team just because it beat Tampa Bay.

Take Detroit, 27-17

I am buying Arizona, which I think will finish second in the NFC West behind Seattle and make the playoffs.

Take Arizona, 24-20

I don’t see the Colts falling to 0-2.

Take Indianapolis, 31-27

Without Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are in trouble, though not as much as Peterson.

Take New England, 31-13

The Bills shocked the Bears on the road last week, while Miami beat New England at home. Somebody’s going to 2-0.

Take Miami, 23-17

That’s a lot of points against an improving Jacksonville team.

Take Jacksonville to cover in a 20-17 loss

The Saints will take care of business.

Take New Orleans, 34-17

Alshon Jeffery is banged up for Chicago, which still can’t stop the run. That’s not good against San Francisco.

Take San Francisco, 27-17

I like the Falcons’ offense. That defense, however, isn’t good.

Take Atlanta to cover in a 31-27 loss

The Seahawks are good, but they are dominant at home. They’re on the road this week.

Take San Diego to cover in a 23-20 loss

The Rams have issues and they are great.

Take Tampa Bay, 24-10

Houston opened 2013 at 2-0 as well. And then lost its next 14.

Take Houston, 20-13

It’s a big number, but the Chiefs have some serious issues.

Take Denver, 41-17

Packers get healthy after beating in Seattle last week.

Take Green Bay, 31-17

Titans have enough offensive weapons to exploit the Cowboys. Heck, a Pop Warner team might be able to exploit the Dallas defense.

Take Tennessee, 27-20

Last week: 7-8 ATS, 9-6 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.