Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

This Sunday, the Steelers and the Browns will renew one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL.  These two teams have been facing one another since 1950.

The Steelers hold a slim lead in the all-time regular season series 58-56.  However, the Steelers have owned the Browns of late.  The Steelers had won 12 straight games in the series until the Browns finally got a win last December in Cleveland.

The Browns won that game 13-6, but the game was much more lopsided than the score indicated.  Frankly, the Browns beat the #%$&*! out of the Steelers.  They sacked Ben Roethlisberger 8 times during that game.  The Browns threw so many blitzes at Big Ben that he probably started wondering if his offensive line was even trying to protect him.

For that reason, it is important for the Steelers to make sure that they don’t take the Browns for granted.  Despite their 1-4 record, the Browns are actually a good team.  Stop laughing, I’m being serious.

The Browns are the best 1-4 team in the NFL.  I know that sounds odd, but it’s true.  Several of their losses could have easily been wins.  They lost by only 3 points to Tampa Bay.  Then they lost by 2 points to a surprisingly good Kansas City Chiefs team.  Then in week 3, they were beating the Baltimore Ravens until the Ravens made a late comeback to beat the Browns in the closing minutes of the game.  They followed that near-win against Baltimore with a win over the reigning AFC North champs, the Cincinnati Bengals.  And then finally they suffered a loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.  So the  Browns’ 4 losses have been by an average of only 5 points per game.  That indicates that they are playing all of their opponents close.  Underestimating this team would be a BIG mistake.

Of course the story of this game is going to be the quarterbacks.

Big Ben will be making his regular season debut with the Steelers, following his 4 game suspension.  In Ben’s absence, the Steelers have gone 3-1, but they did that mainly by running the ball and playing good defense.

The Steelers are ranked last in the NFL in passing.  That’s right, dead last.  Number 32 in the league.  They are only averaging 136 passing yards per game.  Those sound like rushing numbers, not passing numbers.

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

With Big Ben back in the lineup, there is little doubt that the Steelers’ passing attack is going to get a boost.  In fact, based on what Roethlisberger did last year, the Steelers’ passing offense should become one of the top 10 in the NFL.

Of course, quarterback is going to be the position to watch for the Browns as well.  The Browns have gone through quarterbacks almost as quickly as the Steelers have this season.  Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are both out with injuries, so rookie Colt McCoy will be making his first start on Sunday.

Browns QB Colt McCoy

McCoy was a highly touted quarterback who played for Texas in College.  Many thought McCoy would be drafted earlier, but he slipped to the Browns in the third round.

If there is one defense that McCoy probably doesn’t want to make his NFL debut against, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is probably going to throw some things at McCoy that the rookie has never even dreamed of, much less seen.

As was mentioned earlier, the Browns are not a team to be taken lightly.  However, with the added pressure of starting a rookie quarterback, this game will likely prove to be too much for the Browns.  Big Ben should start his 2010 season with a win, and the Steelers will improve their record to 4-1.

With Big Ben back in the lineup, the stairway to seven is not nearly as steep.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!

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Some of you are probably asking, “What the heck is “WWBAD”   Is it a word?  Is it an acronym?  Or has Donald been sniffing tartar sauce again?

The answers are “no”, “yes”, and “maybe”.

“WWBAD” is not a word.  It’s an acronym.  You’re probably familiar with those bracelets that some Christians wear that say “WWJD”, well this is the Steelers’ version of that.  For Christians, WWJD stands for “What would Jesus Do?”.    Similarly, WWBAD is an acronym for the question that is on the minds of Steeler Nation; “What Will Bruce Arians Do?”

Bruce Arians is the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Thus he is the guy who calls the plays that make the Steelers’ offense tick.

Arians is faced with the task of trying to integrate Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ franchise quarterback, into a team that has gone 3-1 in his absence, primarily due to suffocating defense and a pounding running game.

There probably isn’t an offensive coordinator in the NFL who wouldn’t LOVE to have that “problem”.  But for Bruce Arians, things are a bit more complicated.

Steelers fans know that Bruce Arians seems to have an aversion to running the ball.  Actually, it’s more than an aversion.  It’s more like an allergy.  I believe that he becomes physically ill any time he calls a running play.  Or at least that’s the way it seems sometimes.

How else do you explain that game last season when Rashard Mendenhall was averaging 7 yards per carry in the first half, and Bruce Arians hardly gave him the ball during the entire second half?

Or how do you explain the countless times that the Steelers got into the red zone last year and couldn’t score.  Despite their lack of success in the red zone, Arians kept trying the same formula; Pass, pass, pass, bring in Jeff Reed to kick a field goal.

For Arians, there is apparently no situation that doesn’t call for a passing play.  If the Steelers have a first and goal at the 1 yard line, Arians will probably call for 3 passing plays. 

If the situation were 3rd down and inches to go, most coordinators would call for a running play or a quarterback sneak.  But to Bruce Arians, that is an ideal situation to call for a 20 yard pass into double coverage.

That’s why the simple question of how to integrate Big Ben back into the Steelers’ offense becomes much more complicated than it may seem.

My suggestion would be to continue doing what the Steelers have been doing.  After all, Rashard Mendenhall is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.  And that has been against defenses that were stacking the line because they knew that the Steelers were not a passing threat.

With Ben Roethlisberger back in the line-up, that is no longer the case.  The Steelers ARE a passing threat.  So defenses can’t keep 8 or 9 men in the box.  That will open things up significantly for Mendenhall.

But just as Ben’s presence will open things up for Mendenhall, Mendy’s running will also open things up for Ben.  When a defense has to respect the offense’s running game, they become more vulnerable to the pass.

Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger

Fortunately for the Steelers, they have a potent running game, and they are now adding a quarterback who threw for over 4,000 yards last season back into the mix.  Do you think that is going to give opposing defensive coordinators ulcers?  Yeah, so do I.

The Steelers offense just has too many weapons.  We’ve already talked about Mendenhall.  But with Roethlisberger back, Hines Ward will become a threat once again.  Ward has been the invisible man during the Steelers’ first 4 games.  Ward had 95 catches last season for 1,167 yards.  This season, he has 12 catches for 165 yards.  Do you think he’s happy to have Big Ben back?  I do too.

And when Ward is covered, Big Ben can always go to his dependable tight end, Heath Miller.  I’ve long argued that Miller is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. 

And let’s not forget Roethlisberger’s latest toy; speedster Mike Wallace.  Wallace is a 40+ yard touchdown waiting to happen (assuming Ben doesn’t under-throw the ball like he usually does).

That’s a lot of weapons to try to defend.  Particularly when you have a quarterback who can extend a play the way Ben Roethlisberger can.

If the Steelers vary the play calling and give the opposition a good mix of passing and running plays, they should be virtually unstoppable.  But if they become one dimensional and rely almost exclusively on the passing game, then they will be much easier for defenses to stop.

This logic seems fairly self-evident to most of us.  But history has shown that it sometimes escapes Bruce Arians.  Which brings us back to our original question;  WWBAD?

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Coulda, woulda, shoulda.  The Steeler coulda won.  The Steelers woulda won.  The Steelers shoulda won.  But ultimately, the Steelers didn’t win.

The Steelers fell to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 17-14, and now find themselves tied with the Ravens for 1st place in the AFC North.

The Steelers had a chance to go 4-0 without Ben Roethlisberger.  A very real chance.  In fact, only 34 seconds separated them from that goal.  But a late touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to T.J. Houshmandzadeh spoiled the Steelers’ hopes of going undefeated with0ut their starting quarterback.

The game was yet another hard-fought battle that has become typical for this rivalry.  And for the fifth time in the last five meetings between the two teams, the margin of victory was 4 points or less.

There are lots of reason why the Steelers lost.  Too many penalties.  Predictable play calling on offense.  Missed field goals by Jeff Reed.  Ineffective coverage by the defensive backs.  Not enough pressure on Joe Flacco.  Charlie Batch’s inability to find receivers.  Blah, blah, blah.

But the point is not to place blame.  Yes, we lost.  But Baltimore had something to do with the loss too.  It wasn’t only due to the things that we didn’t do.  It was also due to the things that they DID do.

Ultimately, we win as a team, and we lose as a team.  So trying to assess blame is counter-productive.

Rather than focus on why we lost, I’ve decided to focus on how close we came.

Without our franchise quarterback, the Steelers were within 34 seconds of being 4-0.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  In fact, it’s something that we should all feel very proud of.

The Steelers played a very tough Baltimore Ravens team to a virtual standoff with what was effectively our 4th string quarterback.  How much additional offense would Big Ben have accounted for?  There’s no way of knowing for sure, but I don’t think there are many who believe that he wouldn’t have generated more offense than Charlie Batch did.

Yes, Jeff Reed missed two field goals.  Making one of those kicks would have tied the game, and the second would have potentially won the game.  But Reed didn’t miss them on purpose.  Reed is usually a very accurate kicker, and Heinz Field is a very difficult place to kick field goals.  There aren’t many kickers in the league who could do much better than Jeff Reed does under the conditions at Heinz Field.  So despite what happened today, next time there is a game winning field goal to be made, I’m going to trust in Jeff Reed to make it.

Steelers' kicker Jeff Reed

Bruce Arians’ play calling may have been too predictable, but now that Ben Roethlisberger is returning to the lineup, Arians should go back to being his usual pass-happy self.  And because he had to rely on Rashard Mendenhall during Big Ben’s absence, perhaps Arians has gained a new-found appreciation for the running game.  In fact, we may have a born-again offensive coordinator on our hands; one who values the run, as well as the pass.

So regardless of what happened against the Ravens, the real season starts now.  Ben Roethlisberger is back, and the team is 3-1.  The defense is playing great.  The running game is working well.  And now our franchise quarterback will be added back into the mix.

The Steelers survived Ben’s suspension.  And the team fared much better than most expected them to.  But Big Ben is back now, and it’s a whole new ballgame.

Look out, NFL!  The Steelers are at full force now.  And they’re coming after you.

Here we go, Steelers!  Here we go!

Today’s featured Steelers gear:

Not only are we Steelers bloggers, but we’re also Steelers fans.  We search hard for the coolest Steelers stuff.  We try to find Steelers gear that we want.  Then we make you aware of them in case you want to add them to your Steelers collection.

We love the Game Stopper 1/4 zip sweatshirt!  It features an embroidered team logo on the left chest, team-colored stripes down the sleeves, and hand warmer pockets to keep you in the game when the temperatures drop.

And we don’t want the ladies to feel left out.  So how about this lightweight Breakout Play fleece pullover for perfect layering on cold days.  Its bold team color stripes on the shoulders and sides showcase your Steelers spirit for all the world to see!

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment by clicking on the square at the top right of this article. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Twitter by clicking the bird doohicky below. Also consider following us on Facebook. Thanks.)

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The Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens today at 1:00 at Heinz Field (or should I say “Hines’ Field”?).  The Black & Gold is coming off of an unexpected 3-game winning streak, and have a chance to go to 4-0 prior to Ben Roethlisberger’s return.

Baltimore won’t be an easy victory for the Steelers, but I believe that a Steelers win is going to be the outcome of today’s contest.  Here are the 5 factors that I think will lead to that victory:

1. Home field advantage – Heinz Field is a tough place for visiting teams to play.  Steeler Nation is always out in full force, and they make it a very hostile environment for Steelers opponents.  The Ravens have not won a game in Pittsburgh since December of 2006.  Moreover, they are 4-10 overall when playing at Heinz Field.
2. Mike Wallace – The Baltimore Ravens haven’t given up a reception of more than 30 yards this season.  Moreover, they have the top passing defense in the NFL.  But the Ravens haven’t faced Mike Wallace yet.  Wallace is the Steelers’ speedy receiver who led the NFL in yards per catch last season.  He is currently third in the NFL in that category with a 26.7 yards per catch average.  He is also second in the NFL (behind Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson) with 3 catches of 40 yards or more.  Last week against Tampa Bay, Wallace caught two touchdown passes of over 40 yards.  I expect Wallace to catch another long touchdown today.
3. Ray Rice – I hate Ray Rice.  I don’t hate him because he’s ever done anything to me personally.  I hate him because he’s been deadly against the Steelers.  Rice rushed for 141 yards in the season finale last year against the Steelers.  He became the first back in 33 games to gain 100 yards against the Steelers’ defense.  Since 2008, Rice has the highest rushing average of any back in the NFL against the Steelers.  He also has the highest average for total yards from scrimmage against the Steelers.  Fortunately, Rice has been limited all week in practice due to a knee injury.  He is going to attempt to play, but he won’t be at 100%.  His injury is a very good thing for the Steelers.
4. Dick LeBeau & Troy Polamalu – Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau loves confusing quarterbacks.  He uses a variety of formations and blitz packages to do this.  But his primary weapon is Troy Polamalu.  Troy moves around so much that it makes it impossible for offenses to know what he’s going to do.  By the time they figure it out, it’s too late.  Troy leads the Steelers in interceptions.  But he’s also capable of diving over the offensive line to sack a quarterback (just ask Tennessee’s Kerry Collins).  Ravens QB Joe Flacco is considered to be one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL.  But LeBeau and Polamalu have always made him look rather average when he’s faced the Steelers.
5. Charlie Batch – That’s right, Charlie Batch.  Batch tossed 3 touchdown passes last week against Tampa Bay and showed the world that he’s not ready to be put out to pasture just yet.  If Batch can have some early success in the passing game against Baltimore’s defense, it will really open things up for Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers’ rushing attack.  If Batch can’t make the Ravens respect his arm, then it is going to be a very long day for Mendenhall.  But Batch is a veteran, and he knows what is required of him.

Steelers QB Charlie Batch

Of all of the keys to victory that I named, Charlie Batch is clearly the most important.  He has to play well.  If he doesn’t, he will nullify the advantage that Mike Wallace gives them.  He will also make it much harder on both Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers’ defense.

I believe that Charlie Batch is capable of getting the job done against the Ravens.  Dennis Dixon almost beat the Ravens last year, and Batch is much more poised and experienced than Dixon.  Batch doesn’t have to pass for 300 yards.  We know that he’s no Peyton Manning or Drew Brees.  But if he can pass for 180 yard or more, the Steelers should walk away with a victory.  More importantly, Big Ben will return to join a team with a 4-0 record.  Then the fireworks will really begin.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!!!!!!!

Today’s featured Steelers gear:

Not only are we Steelers bloggers, but we’re also Steelers fans.  We search hard for the coolest Steelers stuff.  We try to find Steelers gear that we want.  Then we make you aware of them in case you want to add them to your Steelers collection.

We love the Game Stopper 1/4 zip sweatshirt!  It features an embroidered team logo on the left chest, team-colored stripes down the sleeves, and hand warmer pockets to keep you in the game when the temperatures drop.

And we don’t want the ladies to feel left out.  So how about this lightweight Breakout Play fleece pullover for perfect layering on cold days.  Its bold team color stripes on the shoulders and sides showcase your Steelers spirit for all the world to see!

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment by clicking on the square at the top right of this article. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Twitter by clicking the bird doohicky below. Also consider following us on Facebook. Thanks.)

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There’s really only one appropriate way to begin a Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens game:

Unfortunately, the NFL probably has rules against that.

Anybody who has ever watched a Steelers/Ravens game knows that anytime these two teams get together, we are in for a heavyweight prize fight.  No wimps need apply.

Things will be no different this year when the 3-0 Steelers face the 2-1 Ravens.

Contrary to current trends in the NFL which seem to indicate that offense wins championships (after all, it was Peyton Manning’s Colts that faced Drew Brees’ Saints in the last Super Bowl), these two teams still do it the old-fashioned way; with defense.

Each time the Steelers and Ravens face one another, it’s always a battle to determine which team has the best defense.  This isn’t a new trend.  It’s been going on for quite some time.  Since 2000, the Steelers have been #1 in the NFL in total defense (280 yards allowed per game), while the Ravens are right behind them at #2 (283.6 YPG).  The Ravens have the league’s top scoring defense during that span (17.0 points per game), while the Steelers are #2 at 17.3 points per game.

Get up. I dare you.

This year, both teams have a legitimate argument for being crowned top defense.

If you base your ranking on which team has allowed the fewest yards per game, the Ravens are #1 in the NFL.  However, if you base your ranking on which team has allowed the fewest points per game, then the Steelers are #1 in the NFL.

If you look at which team is harder to pass on, then the nod would have to go to Baltimore.  The Ravens have the #1 passing defense in the NFL so far.

If you look at which team is harder to run on, then the Steelers definitely have an advantage.  The Steelers have held three premiere running backs to almost no rushing yards.  Atlanta’s Michael Turner rushed for 42 yards, Tennessee’s Chris Johnson ran for 34 yards, and Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams ran for 13 yards.  That’s less than 100 COMBINED rushing yards for the 3 star running backs.

Baltimore, on the other hand, hasn’t been quite as hard to run on.  Last week some guy named Peyton Hillis (who?) ran for 144 yards against the Ravens.  Or was it 1,044 yards?  I forget.  But I know that Ray Lewis is probably still having nightmares about that game.

Steelers/Ravens games are so defensively oriented that I don’t think that fans of either team would be opposed to the idea of letting both defenses take the field simultaneously and just fight until only one team is left standing.

But once again, the NFL probably wouldn’t go for that, so the offenses are going to have to take the field as well.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw 3 TD passes to WR Anquan Boldin last week against the Cleveland Browns.  Not to be outdone, Steelers 4th string QB Charlie Batch also threw 3 touchdown passes; 2 to Mike Wallace, and 1 to Hines Ward.    Obviously, we don’t expect Batch to do this every week, but all he has to do is be successful enough in the passing game to keep Baltimore’s defense honest so they can’t stack the line to stop Rashard Mendenhall.

Mendenhall is having a breakout season this year.  He rushed for 143 yards last week against Tampa Bay, and he has accumulated 332 rushing yards in the Steelers first 3 games.

Charlie Batch should prove to be the key to a Steelers’ victory.  If he can mix it up and show the Ravens early on that he is a passing threat, the Steelers will win this game.

I expect Charlie to do exactly that.  I predict that the Steelers will beat the Ravens 21-10, and Big Ben is going to find himself returning to a team with a 4-0 record.  Who woulda thunk it?

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment by clicking on the square at the top right of this article. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Twitter by clicking the bird doohicky below. Also consider following us on Facebook. Thanks.)

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