Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Week Three Ouchie

Ow...that one stung.  The Steelers O got dominated, but at least the D played well.  When the D gives up only 13 points, the Steelers should win.  The Offense has to score at least two touchdowns.  Oh well...

STH is now 2-1.

Baltimore Game Keys:
Steelers O:  The Steelers O needs to counter the blitz early in the game.  Obviously, the Ravens are going to throw every blitz in the package at the Steelers O.  Make them pay.  Hot reads, moving the pocket, RB flares and short TE patterns should be called in the first quarter.  Hopefully, Ben can audible out of them if they look bad at the line of scrimmage.  As far as running the ball, the Steelers will not have Willie Parker.  Parker has struggled against the Ravens who hasn't?), so we'll get to see what Mendenhall has.  Mendenhall posting positive yards is key to keeping the Ravens D honest.

Key Matchup:  Suggs vs Simmons/Colon (this could get ugly)

Steelers D:  Confuse Flacco.  This should lead to turnovers and short fields for the offense.  Unfortunately, until the O gets confident again, the D will need to carry this team.  The deep passing game should not be a huge concern.  Cover 1 should be OK for most of the game as long as pressure gets to Flacco.  I think Polamalu will have a monster game.  The Ravens O does not really scare me.  As long as there is no 3-man rush, they'll get pressure.  Hoke will do fine in Hampton's absence.

Key Matchup:  Tackles vs OLB (Hopefully, this gets ugly)

Pre-season Prediction:  34-7 Steelers.  Flacco has exceeded expecations, but the Steelers still win...Steelers 16-10.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Steelers beat Brownies

I live in NE Ohio...and the silence is deafening.  The loudmouthed, ignorant Browns fans have been stifled and shut up.  Ahhhh...peace at last.

STH is 2-0 on the season.  However, the 10-6 score was way off my prediction mark.  Think the weather had anything to do with it?  =)  On to the Eagles:

1.  The Steelers have stymied McNabb before.  Pressure and keeping contain on McNabb will be critical to disrupting the Eagles passing offense.
2.  Westbrook is dangerous.  His ability our of the backfield and his cut-back running can hurt hte Steelers.  Cut back, slashing type runners can give the Steelers problems if they do not maintain "gap integrity".  Discipline is key to containing Westbrook.  If the Steelers play the nickel, Timmons will get more time.  This bodes well for countering Westbrooks speed and quickness.
3.  The coverage teams need to contain the rookie, DeSean Jackson.  So far, they have contained a couple of the best return men in Andre Davis and Josh Cribbs.  They certainly do not get a break this week.  Jackson is not that big (~170 lbs.), so maybe they can rock him and get him off of the offensive side of the ball.
4.  The Steelers need to have a physical running game against the undersized Eagles front 7.  I hope we see a good dose of Mendenhall to complement Parker.  Well timed play action pass plays, screens and misdirection plays will be key to keeping the aggressive, blitzing Eagles D off balance.

My original pick was 24-10 Steelers...and I'll stick with it.  It is a crap shoot anyway...

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Week 1 Wrap-up and Week 2 Predictions

Well...the Texans were the Texans.  I had it 31-17, so I was pretty close.

1-0 so far for game picks.

Looking forward to the Browns, here is what will happen:
1.  Look for a lot of pressure from Harrison and Woodley again.  Harrison will only have 1 sack, because Thomas is a good LT.  Woodley will go off though with 2 sacks and a lot of pressures.
2.  Ben will pass for over 300 yards.  The Cleveland secondary is pitiful, and so is the pass rush.  This leaves the secondary is a bad position, and Ben will expose it.
3.  Score - I still think 27-24 is plausible.  But after the week 1 showings, I'm more inclined to have the Steelers win by 10+.