They went to the SB though (their 2nd straight) and beat the team that beat us. How does a reg season win "count" against a team that went to the sb?
They "backed into" that first week bye by virtue of the 3-way tie we had with them and GB (thanks, Bills). Wilson tried his best to give that game away to GB with (IIRC) 3 picks but McCarthy was like "Hold my beer". Even their fans were praying that we got knocked out of the playoffs because we were the first team in years to bully them at home. But that's my revisionist history. Shoulda, Woulda Coulda....
You can discount the 2014 season. I say discount the 2015 season where they beat us by a point with check-down Cassell making his first start and having McFadden as the top receiver in that game. Seattle's offense is better this year, but their D-line make-up/philosophy remains the same and mirrors ours in that they like gap shooters and have their LB corp to mop up the interior leaks/capture the edge. They got caught over pursuing against us a lot in the ZBS, as did other aggressive front-7's this year. Seattle's roster on defense hasn't changed much over this year and they certainly still like the formula of playing fast and loose. Our O-line is the same, and now that our RB talent has been upgraded, the same formula that Linehan has installed 2 years ago is hitting at an even higher level. If Seattle beats us, it's because our defense can't contain their offense...not the other way around.
Personally, I like our chances against Seattle more than playing teams like N.E., ATL, WAS, etc. Teams that can pass effectively and score points fast. If PIT had a better defense, they'd be a bigger threat because they took a page out of our book and controlled the TOP in the first half.
