Here comes some negativity

[*SHRacerX*]

(12-23-2015, 12:08 AM)Utts Wrote: The way I see it, this team is just like the other playoff teams of the last few years. We're stumbling into the playoffs after a strong start. I really don't blame anyone, the Dalton injury really hurts. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I feel like our inability to run the ball last week is a huge red flag. Meanwhile the Steelers are arguably the best team in the AFC at this point, after beating 2/3 top teams in the conference in back to back weeks.

I know many of you'd like to see me jump of the ledge, but if anybody has a positive spin on where we're at by all means share.

I will at least give it a shot:

As one of the perpetual rose-colored glasses optimists, I feel it is almost my duty to respond.

Here is why I disagree with the fear generated by their inability to run the ball:  This was a 49er team that was giving up 20 or fewer points in every home game this season.  An oft-replaced grass field with questionable footing couldn't help.  I was shocked to see how many times Gio couldn't separate from guys he is much faster than...on turf.  

The game plan was incredibly conservative.  It was "don't be the one to mess up...make them mess up and take advantage, which they absolutely did.  AJ showed just a handful of attempts where he threw the ball to anyone but a checkdown.  He was actually pretty successful in those attempts.  

AJ Green, coming off his Friday injury at practice, was pulled in the second half.  Eifert never even started.  That offense looked a lot like the offense that Dalton had against the Colts in last year's playoff.  The didn't even attempt a pass in the fourth quarter.

Here is the biggest reason for optimism:  the defense.  Even without Iloka and Adam Jones in his first game back, that could have been a shutout.  It felt a lot like the Raider game week 1.  The defense was stifling.  Burfict, playing more snaps than any game all season, was an animal.  I was glad to see him play more in the nickel, as that will likely be a defense we see a lot against Denver and likely against a team like KC or pissburg in the playoffs.  

I also think the coaches realized that they didn't want to show too much of what AJ can/will do to Denver.  That is one of the reasons for Osweiler's early success and then recent struggles.  

My hope for the Denver game is that they really unleash AJ and let him try to run the offense that can win the game, not play to avoid losing it.  If he throws a couple picks and they lose, so be it....they will be that much more prepared for the postseason where they will need a QB that can win a game for them.