Steelers vs. Seahawks Preview
The Seattle Seahawks travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers this Sunday. Both teams are 0-1, and looking to turn things around.
Unfortunately for Seattle, history is probably not on their side.
The Steelers have won 8 straight home openers dating back to 2002. Moreover, the Steelers are 6-2 at home versus Seattle. The Seahawks haven’t won a game in Pittsburgh since 1999. That was last century.
None of those are good statistics for Seattle to build on.
The Seahawks are coming off of a poor showing against the San Francisco 49ers, in which they lost 33-17. But the loss isn’t the problem. It’s the way that they lost that should be most troubling for Seattle.
The Seahawks’ offense was completely impotent against the 49ers. Seattle’s leading rusher was Marshawn Lynch. However, Lynch only rushed for 33 yards on 13 carries. And one of those carries was for 12 yards. So on the remaining plays, Lynch rushed for 21 yards on 12 carries. Numbers like those are definitely not going to strike fear into the Steelers’ defense.
Starting quarterback Tavaris Jackson didn’t do much to help their cause either. He passed for only197 yards, and was sacked 5 times. Much like Lynch, a large portion of Jackson’s yards came on one play. Jackson had a 55 yard touchdown pass. Outside of that play, Jackson passed for 142 yards on 36 attempts. Do you think Troy Polamalu is worried about facing Jackson?
Seattle QB Tavaris Jackson
But the Steelers probably shouldn’t be too arrogant going into the game either. They didn’t play very well either last week. They’ll be seeking redemption as much as the Seahawks will.
Ray Rice made the Steelers’ defense look like a high school team last week. So a rushing offense like the Seahawks’ may be just what the Steelers need to get their confidence back.
Similarly, the Steelers were able to put very little pressure on Joe Flacco last weeks, so facing an offensive line that allowed their quarterback to be sacked 5 times may be exactly what the Steelers need. Tavaris Jackson is never going to be confused with Tom Brady. We all know that, and I’m sure that LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison know that.
While the Seahawks’ offense may be just what the doctor ordered, the Seahawks’ defense may be even more vulnerable than their offense.
In 2010, Seattle’s defense was ranked 27th in the NFL. They don’t appear to have improved very much in 2011. So Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, and the Steelers’ receivers should also be looking forward to facing the Seahawks.
The best way for a fighter to bounce back from getting knocked out, is to get right back in the ring and knock someone else out. That’s what the Steelers will be looking to do against Seattle. A win won’t suffice. The Steelers need to dominate the Seahawks, and give them the football equivalent of a knockout.
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
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