Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

The Broncos have been one of the darlings of the NFL this season after surprising everyone with a 6-0 start.  Meanwhile, the Super Bowl champions have been all but ignored.  After last night’s game, that will probably change.

The entire nation got to see the Pittsburgh Steelers dominate the AFC West leading Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

The game was truly a tale of two halves.  In the first half, the Broncos completely dominated the Steelers.  The Steelers seemed to be struggling on both offense and defense.  The Steelers went into the locker room at halftime with a 7-3 lead.  But the score was not indicative of what was happening on the field.

The Broncos kept the ball for 19:16 of the first half, and only allowed the Steelers to have the ball for 10:44.  That’s almost twice the time of possession. 

The Broncos were leading the Steelers in almost every statistical category at the half.  Kyle Orton had thrown for 163 yards, while Ben Roethlisberger had only accumulated 49 passing yards while being sacked twice.  The Broncos’ defense had held the Steelers running attack to a mere 23 yards on the ground.  It was only an interception by Tyrone Carter that was returned for a touchdown that kept the Steelers from being shut out in the 1st half.

I don’t know what the coaches said at halftime, but when the Steelers came out in the second half, they looked like a completely different team.

In the second half, the Steelers dominated the time of possession even worse than the Broncos had done in the first half.  The Steelers kept the ball for 22:19 in the second half, while only allowing the Broncos to have the ball for 7:41.

After doing almost nothing in the 1st half, the Steelers offense came alive in the 2nd half.  Running back Rashard Mendenhall broke several very nice runs, and ended the game with 155 total rushing yards.  He averaged a whopping 7 yards per carry.

RB Rashard Mendenhall

But the biggest offensive hero of the game was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  After being ice cold in the 1st half, Big Ben caught fire in the 2nd half.  He completed passes to 5 different receivers, and ended the game with 233 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and a 116 passer rating. 

Big Ben threw two touchdown passes to Hines Ward, and one to rookie receiver Mike Wallace.

The Steelers defense also got in on the fun.  Brett Keisel got two sacks, Tyrone Carter got two interceptions, and Troy Polamalu added an interception of his own as the Steelers defense kept the Broncos from scoring a touchdown. 

The Broncos were only able to generate a single field goal against the Steelers defense.  Their other 7 points were actually scored by their defense.

Interception by Polamalu

Coming into the game, the Broncos’ defense was rated #1 in the NFL.  But after seeing the two defenses side-by-side, it is clear that the Broncos’ defense is not in the same league as the Steelers’.  The Steelers held the Broncos to 27 rushing yards.  For the entire game.  How is that for a statement?

Having beaten the undefeated Vikings in their last game, and the media darling Broncos this game, the Steelers have announced to the rest of the NFL that they cannot be counted out this season. 

Next week, they have another important statement to make.  The Steelers are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for 1st place in the AFC North.  The Bengals have swept their season series with the Baltimore Ravens, and have also beaten the Steelers in their first meeting of the season.  But that was then, and this is now.  The Bengals are going to find that this is a very different Steelers team from the one that they faced earlier in the year.  And next Monday, I believe the Steelers will stand alone at the top of the AFC North.

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On Monday, the Steelers travel to Invesco Field in Denver to take on the 6-1 Denver Broncos.  This is a highly anticipated game with lots of interesting storylines.

We all know that the Steelers tend to do very well when they play on Monday Night Football.  Linebacker James Harrison, in particular, tends to put on seemingly super-human performances anytime he is on the big stage of MNF.

Here is a look at some of the key match-ups that may determine the outcome of the game.

LB James Harrison vs. LT Ryan Clady
The match-up against James Harrison is always of interest.  I like Ryan Clady, and I advocated him as a potential draft pick for the Steelers when he came out of college.  He is a very good left tackle.  Unfortunately for him, James Harrison is an extraordinarily good LB.

Clady is going to learn what every other left tackle that the Steelers have faced already knows.  The only way to stop James Harrison is to hold him.  Advantage – Steelers.

LB LaMarr Woodley vs. RT Tyler Polumbus
Woodley hasn’t been able to amass sacks this year like he did last year.  However, this may be just the game that Woodley needs to get on track.  Broncos’ starting RT Ryan Harris is injured and won’t be playing on Monday night.  So Woodley will be lining up against backup Tyler Polumbus.

LB LaMarr Woodley

Woodley is a tough match-up for most starters.  He should have an advantage against a backup.  Woodley may have a multi-sack performance against the Broncos.  Advantage – Steelers.

LT Max Starks vs. LB Elvis Dumervil
Dumervil is second in the NFL with 10 sacks.  He is short for his position, very strong, and plays with a non-stop motor.  Sound familiar?

Dumervil is like a clone of the Steelers’ own James Harrison…only shorter.  Max Starks knows what to expect when he faces Dumervil.  After all, he has to practice against James Harrison each week.  That experience should help Starks.  Unfortunately, it probably won’t help him enough.  Advantage – Broncos.

DE Nick Eason vs. RG Chris Kuper
The Broncos are not fools.  They know that Aaron Smith is out for the season.  They also know that his backup, Travis Kirschke, is injured.  NFL teams are adept at exploiting opponent’s weaknesses, and the Broncos are sure to try to take advantage of this match-up.  However, the Broncos are going to be surprised to find that Nick Eason is a very experienced veteran backup.  He’s big for a defensive end, and he’s a good run stopper.  Eason won’t win this battle, but he won’t lose it either.   Advantage – None.

CB Ike Taylor vs. WR Brandon Marshall

Marshall is a big (6’4″, 230 lbs.) target, and he is adept at winning jump balls against most cornerbacks.  However, Ike Taylor isn’t most cornerbacks.  Taylor takes on the best receivers on the opposing team each week, and he seldom comes out on the losing end of those battles.   Advantage – Steelers.

Rashard Mendenhall & Willie Parker vs. Broncos defense
The Broncos have the #1 ranked defenses in the NFL.  They’re #3 against the run, and only allow 86.1 yards per game on the ground.

It’s going to take both Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker to beat the Broncos’ defense.  If the Steelers can get their running game going, it will be a tremendous advantage for Big Ben in the passing game.  Unfortunately, the Steelers’ running game has been up and down this season.  The offensive line is greatly improved, but they’re still prone to occasional lapses.  It’s hard to know which version will show up from week to week.   Advantage – Broncos.

Ryan Clark vs. Thin Colorado air
Ryan Clark suffers from sickle cell.  The last time he played in Denver, it almost killed him.  Both Clark and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin have been wrestling all week with the question of whether Clark should play.  Personally, I don’t see what there is to wrestle with.  This one is pretty black and white.  Nobody foresaw the reaction that Clark’s body had last time, and no doctor can say with 100% certainty what will happen this time.

I appreciate Clark’s attitude, and his desire to be there for his teammates.  But playing in this game would be foolish.  Sit this one out, Ryan.  In fact, don’t even take the flight to Colorado.  Stay home and watch the game on TV.  Advantage – Thin Colorado air.

Also, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to read our Steelers vs. Broncos Preview.

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Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Washington Redskins 23-6 on Monday Night Football. The game was truly a tale of two teams. No, the two teams that I’m talking about aren’t the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins. The two teams that I’m talking about are the Steelers Defense, and the Steelers Offense.

The Steelers Defense was dominant. Physical. Fast. Bruising. Impressive.

The Steelers Offense was docile. Futile. Schizophrenic. Baffling. Infuriating.

On defense, the Steelers held the NFL’s leading rusher to just 51 yards on 13 carries. Clinton Portis was rendered a complete non-factor in the game. Sure, he became the first opposing running back this season to break a run of more than 20 yards against the Steelers defense. However, after his 22 yard run in the 1st quarter, Portis was held to a quiet 29 yards for the rest of the game.

The Redskins came into the game with QB Jason Campbell enjoying a quiet, but efficient season. He had not thrown a single interception all season. But of course, he hadn’t faced the Steelers defense yet. The Steelers’ “D” forced 2 interceptions on Campbell. They also sacked him 7 times. One sack by LaMarr Woodley was so brutal that it reminded me of Joe “Turkey” Jones’ vicious sack of Terry Bradshaw in 1976. Woodley grabbed Campbell, and swung him around like a rag doll before body slamming him to the ground.

In every way, the Steelers’ defense dominated the Redskins offense. Even Redskins’ coach Jim Zorn had to admit as much. This was Zorn’s review of the Steelers’ defense: “Fast. Very physical…… They were the #1 defense in the NFL, and probably still are. They lived up to their billing. They’re good”.

Fans in Western Pennsylvania can feel proud when they think about the performance of the Steelers defense. They are the embodiment of the tough, hard-nosed, blue collar town that they represent.

The Steelers offense, on the other hand……… Sure, the Steelers managed to score 23 points, but was I the only one who was frustrated, and at times embarrassed, while watching the Steelers offense? Even the 6 points that the Steelers’ defense surrendered were really the fault of the Steelers’ offense.

The Steelers started the game with a completely baffling play; an on-sides kick on the opening kickoff. WTF???!!!! Of course, the Redskins recovered the kick and started their first drive in great field position. Four plays later, the Redskins were on the board with a field goal. Thanks, Coach Tomlin. Next time, avoid the temptation to smoke one of Santonio Holmes’ blunts before the game. That was a really stupid play.

The Redskins’ other field goal happened as a result of a Ben Roethlisberger interception. Four plays later, the Redskins had another field goal. Thanks Steelers’ Offense. Way to let the Defense down. Thou truly sucketh.

Before going out with a shoulder injury at half-time, Ben Roethlisberger was 5/17 passing for a total of 50 yards, with no TD’s and one interception. Yuck!

The thing that baffles me most is why the Steelers offense is so bad. I just can’t figure it out. They have weapons. They have a franchise quarterback. And contrary to popular opinion, the offensive line is not totally incompetent.

I’m not sure if the blame goes to Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians (although on this election day, Arians definitely gets my vote), or to QB Ben Roethlisberger. Perhaps the blame should be shared equally.

One thing that was very clear was that once Ben Roethlisberger went out and Byron Leftwich came in, things completely changed for the Steelers’ offense. Leftwich was cool, calm, and collected in the pocket. He led the Steelers on several nice drives, and ended up 7/10 passing for 129 yards and a touchdown. His passer rating for the game was 145.8 versus a 15.1 (that’s right, 15.1) rating for Roethlisberger.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that Ben Roethlisberger should be benched. You don’t do that to $100 million franchise quarterbacks. However, Big Ben has been battling injuries all year. Perhaps it would be wise to let him heal up a bit. Byron Leftwich is a former franchise quarterback. He can keep things afloat while Ben heals.

I am reminded of the 2006 season when Ben Roethlisberger came back too quickly from a motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy, and went on to have a totally horrendous season. History has shown that Ben is willing to play while hurt, even if it is to the detriment of the team. Perhaps, for the good of the team, Ben should sit out a week or two and let his body heal. Then perhaps he can come back and lead an offensive attack that is worthy of wearing the same jersey as the Steelers Defense.

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Before reading this week’s key match-ups, please read my Steelers-Redskins Preview.

On Sunday, the Steelers travel to Washington, DC to take on the 6-2 Redskins. This game pits the NFL’s top ranked defense against the NFL’s leading rusher, Clinton Portis. These are the match-ups that I believe will have the highest likelihood of impacting the outcome of the game.

Clinton Portis versus Steelers run defense

The Steelers have the NFL’s top ranked defense, and have proven very difficult to run on. Last week, Brandon Jacobs learned firsthand just how difficult the Steelers can be to run on. This week, Clinton Portis will be the latest running back to learn the true meaning of futility. He may go back to averaging 118 yards per game next week, but this week I predict 65 yards rushing. Sorry Clinton. Advantage: Steelers.

James Harrison vs. LT Chris Samuels

Harrison is a Pro Bowler, and is among the league leaders in sacks. He was held sack-less last week against the Giants, and will probably be looking to change that trend on Monday. Chris Samuels is the Redskins best offensive lineman. He will have his hands full with the smaller, but faster Harrison. Advantage: Steelers.

Willie Colon vs DE Demetric Evans

Redskins starter Jason Taylor has missed most of the season with an injury, but his replacement, Demetric Evans, has played extremely well. Evans is long, and very fast. He will give Willie Colon all he can handle. Colon has looked over-matched most of the season. This week should be no different. Advantage: Redskins.

Casey Hampton vs. Casey Rabach

Redskins’ center Casey Rabach held his own against Cleveland’s massive NT Shaun Rogers. He’ll get an even tougher test versus “Big Snack”. Hampton has been battling a groin injury, but played last week against the Giants.

The Redskins rely on their offensive line to drive their powerful running game. If Hampton can collapse their line, it will be a huge step in slowing down Clinton Portis. Advantage: Steelers.

Antwaan Randle-El vs. Steelers punt coverage

Steelers fans remember what Randle-El is capable of doing on punt returns. In fact, the Steelers haven’t had a capable return man since Randle El left Pittsburgh for Washington in free agency.

The Steelers are yielding only 4.9 yards per punt return this season. That’s an impressive number for a unit that has been one of the Steelers’ weak links over the past 3 years. Containing Randle El and Santana Moss will be a big accomplishment for this unit. Advantage: Draw.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Redskins pass rush

Surely the Redskins studied tape of the Steelers games against the Eagles and the Giants. They know that Big Ben is susceptible to the all-out blitz. Fortunately, the Redskins’ pass rush is not as accomplished as the Eagles’ or Giants’, having accumulated only 10 sacks this season. Advantage: Steelers.

Troy Polamalu vs. TE Chris Cooley

Redskins’ TE Chris Cooley is an integral part of the Redskins’ passing attack. With 40 catches, he is one of Redskins QB Jason Campbell’s favorite targets, and is 2nd on the team in receptions.  Troy Polamalu is one of the best safeties in the league.  Cooley will soon find out why.  Advantage: Steelers.

James Harrison vs. Monday Night Football

Has anyone else noticed that James Harrison uses Monday Night Football the same way that Clark Kent used phonebooths? James Harrison turns into Superman each time he plays on MNF. In his last 3 games on MNF, Harrison has 7 sacks and about 200 forced fumbles (okay, maybe not 200, but he has quite a few). Harrison seems to shine brightest under the biggest spotlight. Monday night against the Redskins should be no different. Advantage: Harrison.

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On Monday night, the Steelers continue their trek through the NFC East, when they face the Washington Redskins.  Pittsburgh has not done very well against the NFL’s toughest division, going 0-2 so far this season.  The Steelers have already lost to the first place team in the division (the New York Giants), and the last place team (the Philadelphia Eagles).  Now they must face the remaining two teams, the Washington Redskins, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite their losses to their first two NFC East opponents, the Steelers had an opportunity to win both games.  The Steelers were winning each game, but turnovers and mental errors doomed them in each contest.  Both the Eagles and the Giants used a heavy pass rush to pressure Ben Roethlisberger.  Until Bruce Arians can prove that he can put together a game plan to counter the all-out-blitz, the Steelers should expect to see more of the same from the Redskins.  Fortunately, the Redskins are one of the worst pass rushing teams in the NFL, and have only 10 sacks on the season.  That’s 4th worst in the league.

The Redskins are in 2nd place in the tough NFC East.  However, they are coming off a difficult 25-17 win versus the lowly Detroit Lions.  The Redskins are 6-2, and present an interesting challenge for the 5-2 Steelers.

The Steelers last faced the Redskins back in 2004, when they defeated them 16-7.  The Steelers have won the last three contests against the Redskins.  However, the Redskins lead the historical series 42-30-3.

The Redskins are a team that appears to be finally gaining their stride after struggling early on under new head coach Jim Zorn.

The storyline of the game will probably be the Steelers defense (#1 in the NFL) versus Redskins’ running back Clinton Portis, the leading rusher in the NFL this season.  Portis is averaging 118 yards per game, and already has almost 1,000 yards rushing this season, with 944 yards.  Meanwhile, the Steelers’ stingy defense is only allowing 71.6 rushing yards per game.

On defense, the Redskins are no slouches, boasting the NFL’s #6 ranked unit.  They are #11 against the pass, and #5 against the run.

Meanwhile, the Steelers have the NFL’s #25 ranked offense.  They’ve been so woeful at times, that they are ranked just ahead of such terrible offenses as the Oakland Raiders (#26), and the Kansas City Chiefs (#27).  Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has seemed incapable of putting together a game plan that establishes an effective passing game.  The Steelers’ passing attack is ranked # 24 in the NFL, averaging only 184.4 passing yards per game.  Historically, this would not have been a problem, since the Steelers have always had one of the most powerful rushing attacks in the NFL.  However, with a suspect offensive line and Willie Parker being injured for much of the year, the Steelers are averaging only 107.3 rushing yards per game.  This un-Steelerlike rushing attack, combined with a poor passing attack, leads to the Steelers’ low offensive production.

Fortunately, the Steelers’ defense has contained opposing offenses so effectively, that their offense has not needed to be particularly productive.   As the Steelers hit the half-way point in their 2008 schedule, it would be great to see the offense finally get it’s bearings and become the innovative attack that most expected when Bruce Arians was hired.

The Steelers’ offense should be helped by the return of bong boy wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes was suspended last game due to an arrest for marijuana possession. Holmes is the Steelers’ best deep threat, and his return should be a welcome addition for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

For further analysis of the Steelers-Redskins game, please see my article on the key match-ups by clicking here.

Steelers Injury Report

Willie Parker has missed 4 games with a knee injury, but he says he is ready to play this week.  If he is not able to go, Mewelde Moore will once again be a capable replacement.

Chris Kemoeatu has a sprained ankle, and will probably be replaced by Trai Essex.

LaMarr Woodley injured his calf against the Giants, but he expects to play Monday night against the Redskins.

Ryan Clark is not expected to play, and will probably be replaced by Tyrone Carter, but Anthony Smith may also see some playing time.

Marvell Smith is still suffering from back spasms, and Max Starks will get the start.

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