Sorry for being so late with my Steelers-Titans preview. It's been a long week for me.
The Steelers are coming off a huge division clinching win over the Baltimore Ravens where once again the defese was stellar, but the offense wasn't that good until the final drive of the game.
The Titans are coming off of their second loss, this one being an upset by the Houtson Texans (I repeat, the Houston Texans beat the Titans).
The Titans will be without two of their best defensive players: DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch...while the Steelers will likley get even better on defense with the return of DE Brett Keisel.
Matchups:
Titans Defensive Line vs. Steelers Offensive Line: Steelers center Justin Hartwig feels that the offensive line is just now starting to "gel". Well I sure hope so, because even without Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch the Titans defensive line is nothing to sneeze at. If the Titans defensive line doesn't get a pass rush, then they have to send guys on the blitz, which they don't do often.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger vs. Titans CB Corland Finnegan: Finnegan is very good at making a play on the ball, so Roethlisberger can't force any passes to the guy he is covering, otherwise there's a good chance the ball will be picked. I'm not saying that the Steelers can't throw in his direction, he's no Deion Sanders...just not to force the ball his way.
Titans QB Kerry Collins vs. Steelers SS Troy Polamalu: Polamalu leads the NFL with 7 interceptions. Collins for the most part has been very efficient with the ball, but in the two Titans losses he had some costly turnovers. He'll have to know where Polamalu is each snap because if he loses track of Taz, the ball very well could be in the possesion of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers Pass Rush vs. Titans Offensive Line: The Steelers defense hopes that the offense can get a decent lead of at least 14 points so the Titans are forced into passing the ball more. Then the Steelers main pass rushers, outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison can just pin their ears back and do what they enjoy the most, wreaking havock on quarterbacks. It also helps that Collins is a statue in the pocket, he's not very mobile so he's a sitting duck if the Titans are forced into throwing the ball to win this football game.
Titans Running Backs vs. Steelers Rush Defense: The Steelers are second in the league in rush defense. The Titans have one of the best rushing tandems in Smash n Dash...Lendale White and Chris Johnson. In the Titans two losses, their running backs were not much of a factor in the games. In most of their wins, they were dominant. The Steelers have not allowed a rusher to reach 100 yards on them this season, and only three have been able to do so in the last 80 games. The Steelers havent allowed a team to break 300 yards of total offense on them yet this entire season, a lot of that is thanks to a run defense that forces teams to throw the ball.
Steelers 24
Titans 10
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Steelers @ Ravens, 12/14/2008, 4:15 PM
Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel down to Baltimore, Maryland to face the division rival Ravens. This is a huge game for both teams. If the Steelers win they win their second consecutiv AFC North Title, and damage the Wild Card hopes of the Ravens. If the Ravens win they tie for the division lead with the Steelers, and it helps their bid for a Wild Card if they still lose the division.
Also, these two teams don't like each other. It's borderline hate. Bart Scott hates Hines Ward. The entire Steelers team hates Ray Lewis. This game is going to be a war.
Matchups:
Steelers Offensive Line vs. Ravens Front Seven: The Steelers offensive line has been less than good all season long. They have trouble picking up the blitz, they aren't very good on the goal line, the cannot sustain pass protection. The Ravens have a very good front seven and will have no problem blitzing this Steelers offensive line. The Ravens also haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in ages, and I don't believe that they will allow one this week either.
Steelers Running Backs vs. Ravens LB Ray Lewis: Ray Lewis eats running backs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack. The Steelers right now do not have a bonafide power rusher, the best way to combat a defense like this. Willie Parker has never had a good game against the Ravens defense. Mewelde Moore has done a good job this season and had an excellent game against the Ravens as a receiver out of the backfield on the Monday Night game earlier in the season. But can he duplicate that, much less turn it into a strong run game? I doubt it.
Joe Flacco vs. Steelers OLB's James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley: In the Monday Night game, Flacco had a decent game. However the key play in the game was when James Harrison came off of the edge and strip-sacked Flacco and Woodley returned the fumble for a touchdown, sparking the Steelers to win the game. Flacco so a rather vanilla defense in that first matchup, and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is going to throw everything including the kitchen sink and the rookie this time around. Harrison has already tied the Steelers single season sack record of 15 sacks in a season, this week he plans on sole ownership of it. Harrsion and Woodley have combined to set the OLB-combo sack record for the Steelers also.
Ravens Running Backs vs. Steelers Defense: The Steelers defense is #1 against the run this season. The Ravens are going to need to get a strong game out of their three backs to keep Flacco from having to win the game himself. I don't see the Ravens having a strong run game, not against this defense.
Steelers Defense vs. Ravens Defense: I know, defenses actually don't face each other. But this game will be decided by the defenses. The Steelers are #1 overall, #1 against the pass, #1 against the run, and #1 in scoring. The Ravens are within the top 5 in all those categories. Neither defense has allowed a 100 yard rusher this season. The Steelers have not allowed a team to get 300 yards of total offense in a single game this season. So this game is going to come down to which defense forces the other team's offense to make a mistake, probally a big mistake. Will it be Ed Reed picking off a Roethlisberger pass to the house? How about another strip-sack of Flacco returned by the other outside linebacker? A forced fumble on a big hit from Ray Lewis? Troy Polamalu making a great play to ignite the Steelers?
Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. Steelers WR Hines Ward: Bart Scott thinks Hines Ward is a cheapshot artist. Hines Ward won't say it, but I am sure he thinks Bart Scott is a whiney little pansy. Bart Scott has said that the Ravens had a bounty out on Ward and rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall in the Monday Night game. I think Bart Scott needs to keep his fucking mouth shut, and he better have his head on a swivel because I think Hines Ward will be looking to lay him out this Sunday on Baltimore's turf.
Steelers 23
Ravens 6
Also, these two teams don't like each other. It's borderline hate. Bart Scott hates Hines Ward. The entire Steelers team hates Ray Lewis. This game is going to be a war.
Matchups:
Steelers Offensive Line vs. Ravens Front Seven: The Steelers offensive line has been less than good all season long. They have trouble picking up the blitz, they aren't very good on the goal line, the cannot sustain pass protection. The Ravens have a very good front seven and will have no problem blitzing this Steelers offensive line. The Ravens also haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in ages, and I don't believe that they will allow one this week either.
Steelers Running Backs vs. Ravens LB Ray Lewis: Ray Lewis eats running backs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack. The Steelers right now do not have a bonafide power rusher, the best way to combat a defense like this. Willie Parker has never had a good game against the Ravens defense. Mewelde Moore has done a good job this season and had an excellent game against the Ravens as a receiver out of the backfield on the Monday Night game earlier in the season. But can he duplicate that, much less turn it into a strong run game? I doubt it.
Joe Flacco vs. Steelers OLB's James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley: In the Monday Night game, Flacco had a decent game. However the key play in the game was when James Harrison came off of the edge and strip-sacked Flacco and Woodley returned the fumble for a touchdown, sparking the Steelers to win the game. Flacco so a rather vanilla defense in that first matchup, and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is going to throw everything including the kitchen sink and the rookie this time around. Harrison has already tied the Steelers single season sack record of 15 sacks in a season, this week he plans on sole ownership of it. Harrsion and Woodley have combined to set the OLB-combo sack record for the Steelers also.
Ravens Running Backs vs. Steelers Defense: The Steelers defense is #1 against the run this season. The Ravens are going to need to get a strong game out of their three backs to keep Flacco from having to win the game himself. I don't see the Ravens having a strong run game, not against this defense.
Steelers Defense vs. Ravens Defense: I know, defenses actually don't face each other. But this game will be decided by the defenses. The Steelers are #1 overall, #1 against the pass, #1 against the run, and #1 in scoring. The Ravens are within the top 5 in all those categories. Neither defense has allowed a 100 yard rusher this season. The Steelers have not allowed a team to get 300 yards of total offense in a single game this season. So this game is going to come down to which defense forces the other team's offense to make a mistake, probally a big mistake. Will it be Ed Reed picking off a Roethlisberger pass to the house? How about another strip-sack of Flacco returned by the other outside linebacker? A forced fumble on a big hit from Ray Lewis? Troy Polamalu making a great play to ignite the Steelers?
Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. Steelers WR Hines Ward: Bart Scott thinks Hines Ward is a cheapshot artist. Hines Ward won't say it, but I am sure he thinks Bart Scott is a whiney little pansy. Bart Scott has said that the Ravens had a bounty out on Ward and rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall in the Monday Night game. I think Bart Scott needs to keep his fucking mouth shut, and he better have his head on a swivel because I think Hines Ward will be looking to lay him out this Sunday on Baltimore's turf.
Steelers 23
Ravens 6
Mike Tomlin is THE MAN!
"The issue for us has been, is and hopefully will continue to be winning -- that's my interpretation of Steelers football," Tomlin said. "Every morning I come to work I walk past five Lombardis, not five rushing titles. The issue is winning."
Who else gets the feeling that Mike Tomlin knows exactly what is expected of him and his football team? He knows that the fans want and expect him to add to the collection of five Lombardi trophies. He knows that the Rooneys hired him because they believed that he was the best option available to get that done.
He also never threw Willie Parker under the bus after Parker's "we've gotten away from Steeler football" comments.
It's reasons like this that his entire team would run through brick walls for him. He treats them like men, shows them respect, and never throws them under the bus in the media. Any problems stay in house.
Mike Tomlin by the end of his career could very likley be more revered in Pittsburgh than Bill Cowher.
Who else gets the feeling that Mike Tomlin knows exactly what is expected of him and his football team? He knows that the fans want and expect him to add to the collection of five Lombardi trophies. He knows that the Rooneys hired him because they believed that he was the best option available to get that done.
He also never threw Willie Parker under the bus after Parker's "we've gotten away from Steeler football" comments.
It's reasons like this that his entire team would run through brick walls for him. He treats them like men, shows them respect, and never throws them under the bus in the media. Any problems stay in house.
Mike Tomlin by the end of his career could very likley be more revered in Pittsburgh than Bill Cowher.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Who the hell wants to face this defense?
Casey Hampton is clogging up the run lanes in the middle of the offensive line.
LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are coming in from the edges.
Ike Taylor is shutting down the other team's top reciever.
Troy Polamalu is flying around making plays all over the field.
Ryan Clark is absolutley destroying anyone with balls big enough to come accross the middle.
Yes, this defense will fuck you up.
Oh, and they won't talk a lot. They let their play do the talking.
13 games...13 teams held under 300 total yards...13 running backs held under 100 yards rushing.
Oh yeah...they don't consider themselves good. They don't consider themselves great. They know all these #1 rankings don't mean shit if they don't end the season as Super Bowl Champions.
So tell me, who really wants to face this fucking defense?
The Baltimore Ravens? Joe Flacco will be having nightmares about this game for weeks...if not months...after Sunday's game. Their running back by commitee will get stuffed.
The Tennessee Titans? Kerry Collins won't be able to get away from our blitz. Smash 'n' Dash won't be doing much of anything other than arguing over who gets to use the team's whirlpool first.
The Cleveland Browns? Bwahahahahahahahahaha! Ken fucking Dorsey at quarterback? He's gonna get broken in half by Silverback!
After this week, the Steelers will have tied the record for consecutive games without giving up 300 yards total offense. Soon the record will be the Steelers.
The first team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles to end a season ranked #1 overall, #1 against the pass, and #1 against the run.
If the defense holds up, which it will, then the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers will be the first team since the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger to lead the league in #1 overall defense, #1 against the pass, #1 against the rush, and #1 in scoring defense.
This defense better than the 2000 Ravens? Hell yes.
LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are coming in from the edges.
Ike Taylor is shutting down the other team's top reciever.
Troy Polamalu is flying around making plays all over the field.
Ryan Clark is absolutley destroying anyone with balls big enough to come accross the middle.
Yes, this defense will fuck you up.
Oh, and they won't talk a lot. They let their play do the talking.
13 games...13 teams held under 300 total yards...13 running backs held under 100 yards rushing.
Oh yeah...they don't consider themselves good. They don't consider themselves great. They know all these #1 rankings don't mean shit if they don't end the season as Super Bowl Champions.
So tell me, who really wants to face this fucking defense?
The Baltimore Ravens? Joe Flacco will be having nightmares about this game for weeks...if not months...after Sunday's game. Their running back by commitee will get stuffed.
The Tennessee Titans? Kerry Collins won't be able to get away from our blitz. Smash 'n' Dash won't be doing much of anything other than arguing over who gets to use the team's whirlpool first.
The Cleveland Browns? Bwahahahahahahahahaha! Ken fucking Dorsey at quarterback? He's gonna get broken in half by Silverback!
After this week, the Steelers will have tied the record for consecutive games without giving up 300 yards total offense. Soon the record will be the Steelers.
The first team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles to end a season ranked #1 overall, #1 against the pass, and #1 against the run.
If the defense holds up, which it will, then the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers will be the first team since the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger to lead the league in #1 overall defense, #1 against the pass, #1 against the rush, and #1 in scoring defense.
This defense better than the 2000 Ravens? Hell yes.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Cowboys @ Steelers, 12/7/2008, 4:15 PM
This week, the Dallas Cowboys come to Pittsburgh. It's the first week of December...that means cold, wind, ice, snow, and sleet. Pittsburgh Steeler weather, to be exact.
The Steelers (9-3) are coming off of a big win in New England, 33-10.
The Cowboys (8-4) are coming off of a Thanksgiving day win against Seattle, 34-9.
Some key matchups:
Steelers CB Ike Taylor vs. Cowboys WR Terrel Owens: In the past, the Steelers have had Ike Taylor shadow the opposing team's top wide receiver. He has done well with this job, often limiting the receiver to a few catches for not many yards. TO is a very physical wideout, but he can be bumped off of his route at the LOS when the cornerback isn't intimidated, and Ike Taylor does not get intimidated. If we can get TO out of the game early and force Romo to look at other receivers such as TE Jason Whitten and WR Roy Williams then Owens will get frustrated and lose concentration.
Cowboys OLB Demarcus Ware vs. Steelers LT Max Starks: Max Starks, yes the Max Starks of the $8M transition tag, is still starting at LT in releif of the injured Marvell Smith. He will have his hands full with man beast pass-rusher Demarcus Ware, who has 15 sacks this season, a career high that is the most in the league. With Ware's specialty being rushing the passer, we should expect Dallas to send him against one of the most sacked quarterbacks of the past two seasons. Ware can also get into the backfield and tackle the running back. If we can get the run game going to get the play-action pass going, that will help Starks immensly because it will have to keep Ware back on his heels somewhat.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo vs. Steelers SS Troy Polamalu: Troy Polamalu just nabbed his sixth interception of the season in New England on Sunday. He is the type of player that Romo must know where he is on the field at all times. Polamalu is so versatile...he can play deep center field and just fly to the ball, he can come up in run support, he can rush the passer. If Romo loses track of the man with the flowing locks, Polamalu is going to come up with a huge Cowboy drive-killing interception. With Romo's thumb injury, he has had to change his throwing motion. The Steelers pass rush will flush Romo out of the pocket at times, and this is where the change in his throwing mechanics will hurt him the most...throwing on the run. Polamalu is allowed to play on pure insticnt rather than in the framework of the defense, so when Romo is out of the pocket Polamalu will make a big play.
Steelers Defensive Line vs. Cowboys RB Marion Barber: The defensive line of the Steelers has played great, stuffing the run. Nosetackle Casey "Big Snack" Hampton just eats up the middle of the offensive line (no pun intended). Defense end Aaron Smith is a great bullrusher with underrated speed and he loves to get into the backfield and make a tackle. Defensive end Brett Keisel is likley out with an injury, but the guys that have been filling in for him throughout the year, Nick Eason and Travis Kirschke, have done a very admirable job. Marion Barber's running style plays right into the strengths of the Steelers offensive line. Barber loves to take it up the gut, but has the ability to bounce it outside and has very good speed once he hits that second level. But with Hampton clogging up the middle, Barber would have to boucne it outside but by then it's normally too late as Aaron Smith or Eason/Kirschke have already bottled you up behild the LOS. And if by chance he does get by this defensive line, he'll have to deal with an excellent linebacker corps and DB's that have no problem with run support. It also doesn't help Barber that he hurt his knee during last week's game and may not be 100% in Pittsburgh.
My pick for the win:
Steelers 34
Cowboys 14
The Steelers (9-3) are coming off of a big win in New England, 33-10.
The Cowboys (8-4) are coming off of a Thanksgiving day win against Seattle, 34-9.
Some key matchups:
Steelers CB Ike Taylor vs. Cowboys WR Terrel Owens: In the past, the Steelers have had Ike Taylor shadow the opposing team's top wide receiver. He has done well with this job, often limiting the receiver to a few catches for not many yards. TO is a very physical wideout, but he can be bumped off of his route at the LOS when the cornerback isn't intimidated, and Ike Taylor does not get intimidated. If we can get TO out of the game early and force Romo to look at other receivers such as TE Jason Whitten and WR Roy Williams then Owens will get frustrated and lose concentration.
Cowboys OLB Demarcus Ware vs. Steelers LT Max Starks: Max Starks, yes the Max Starks of the $8M transition tag, is still starting at LT in releif of the injured Marvell Smith. He will have his hands full with man beast pass-rusher Demarcus Ware, who has 15 sacks this season, a career high that is the most in the league. With Ware's specialty being rushing the passer, we should expect Dallas to send him against one of the most sacked quarterbacks of the past two seasons. Ware can also get into the backfield and tackle the running back. If we can get the run game going to get the play-action pass going, that will help Starks immensly because it will have to keep Ware back on his heels somewhat.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo vs. Steelers SS Troy Polamalu: Troy Polamalu just nabbed his sixth interception of the season in New England on Sunday. He is the type of player that Romo must know where he is on the field at all times. Polamalu is so versatile...he can play deep center field and just fly to the ball, he can come up in run support, he can rush the passer. If Romo loses track of the man with the flowing locks, Polamalu is going to come up with a huge Cowboy drive-killing interception. With Romo's thumb injury, he has had to change his throwing motion. The Steelers pass rush will flush Romo out of the pocket at times, and this is where the change in his throwing mechanics will hurt him the most...throwing on the run. Polamalu is allowed to play on pure insticnt rather than in the framework of the defense, so when Romo is out of the pocket Polamalu will make a big play.
Steelers Defensive Line vs. Cowboys RB Marion Barber: The defensive line of the Steelers has played great, stuffing the run. Nosetackle Casey "Big Snack" Hampton just eats up the middle of the offensive line (no pun intended). Defense end Aaron Smith is a great bullrusher with underrated speed and he loves to get into the backfield and make a tackle. Defensive end Brett Keisel is likley out with an injury, but the guys that have been filling in for him throughout the year, Nick Eason and Travis Kirschke, have done a very admirable job. Marion Barber's running style plays right into the strengths of the Steelers offensive line. Barber loves to take it up the gut, but has the ability to bounce it outside and has very good speed once he hits that second level. But with Hampton clogging up the middle, Barber would have to boucne it outside but by then it's normally too late as Aaron Smith or Eason/Kirschke have already bottled you up behild the LOS. And if by chance he does get by this defensive line, he'll have to deal with an excellent linebacker corps and DB's that have no problem with run support. It also doesn't help Barber that he hurt his knee during last week's game and may not be 100% in Pittsburgh.
My pick for the win:
Steelers 34
Cowboys 14
Let me introduce myself
Hello, this will be the first of my many blogs on the Pittsburgh Steelers. So I figured I should introduce myself to everyone.
My real name is Tom, but from now on as a blogger I will be knows as BigNastyDefense.
I live in Cleveland, Ohio. Yes, the land of the Cleveland Clowns, however I have been a die hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan my entire life. My grandparents are from the Brownsfield, Pennsylvania area and my Grandpa is a lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler fan himself. He had a large hand in raising me, so he raised me to be a fan of the Steelers.
I have only been to one game, in Cleveland in 2006. I never went to Three Rivers Stadium (though I wish I could have at least taken a tour) and I do plan on attending a game at Heinz Field, hopefully next season (2009).
If you need to reach me, you can catch me at BigNastyDefense@hotmail.com so feel free to email me or throw me and instant message.
And just a warning, I will not be censoring myself so if anyone is offended by adult language, this may not be the Steelers blog for you.
My real name is Tom, but from now on as a blogger I will be knows as BigNastyDefense.
I live in Cleveland, Ohio. Yes, the land of the Cleveland Clowns, however I have been a die hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan my entire life. My grandparents are from the Brownsfield, Pennsylvania area and my Grandpa is a lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler fan himself. He had a large hand in raising me, so he raised me to be a fan of the Steelers.
I have only been to one game, in Cleveland in 2006. I never went to Three Rivers Stadium (though I wish I could have at least taken a tour) and I do plan on attending a game at Heinz Field, hopefully next season (2009).
If you need to reach me, you can catch me at BigNastyDefense@hotmail.com so feel free to email me or throw me and instant message.
And just a warning, I will not be censoring myself so if anyone is offended by adult language, this may not be the Steelers blog for you.
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