polamalubeast
12-19-2014, 10:15 AM
Want to start a nice argument? Ask this question: What set of triplets would you rather have on your NFL offense: Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown or Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant?
Only one group leads the NFL's top-ranked offense, and it isn't the team with the stars on the helmet.
The Steelers are the NFL's top-rated offense and it's mostly because of the big three. Those three are having record-setting seasons and have the Steelers two victories away from an AFC North division title.
This might sound strange coming from me, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley deserves credit for what he's done with this offense. The Steelers have used no-huddle much more in the past -- I thought it helped Roethlisberger a lot -- but they haven't needed it much this season. That's how good they are playing. Haley wanted more balance, and they have it.
The Steelers are sixth in the NFL in scoring, first in yards, second in passing and 10th in rushing. It is a tough offense to stop.
Roethlisberger, who already has two Super Bowl rings, is having his best season. He can set new franchise marks for completions, yards and touchdown passes, all marks he already owns. He has thrown for 4,400 yards, 29 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. He has a passer rating of 103.4, which would be a career best if it stays that way.
The clutch factor shows up as well. He is tops in the league in fourth-quarter passing (with at least 100 attempts) with a rating of 112.0 with 10 touchdown passes and one interception. On third down, he is sixth among passers with 100 attempts on third down and has eight touchdown passes and one pick.
Then there's Bell. He has 1,278 rushing yards, but he is second in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,043 yards, which is a Steelers single-season record. He has become a force in the passing game with 765 yards. Think Marcus Allen.
Bell has been on a tear lately, going for over 200 yards from scrimmage in three of his last four games. That streak was snapped last week at Atlanta in a game in which his two touchdown runs helped the Steelers beat the Falcons.
Brown has cemented himself as one of the league's best receivers. He leads the NFL in both catches (115) and yards (1,498) and has 11 touchdown catches. He also leads the NFL in third-down catches with 33.
Brown can kill teams with the deep ball, but he's also good catching quick screens and accelerating for big plays.
There are other reasons why the offense has played better. The line is markedly improved over last season and earlier this season. Former Titans coach Mike Munchak, now the line coach, has done a nice job with the schemes, including using more zone-blocking schemes than in the past. The Steelers are also getting contributions from young receivers Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, which they had to get with Emmanuel Sanders moving on to Denver.
Mostly, though, it's about the big three. They are the reason the Steelers are in position to win the division, even though the defense is tied for 20th in the league in scoring defense.
I took a hard look at the Steelers offense the past few weeks and came away impressed in a big way. If teams load up to stop the run, Roethlisberger and Brown will kill them. If they back off, Bell will just keep pounding the football. His ability in the passing game is also huge.
read more
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24900814/after-further-review-examining-the-steelers-impressive-killer-bs-triplets
Only one group leads the NFL's top-ranked offense, and it isn't the team with the stars on the helmet.
The Steelers are the NFL's top-rated offense and it's mostly because of the big three. Those three are having record-setting seasons and have the Steelers two victories away from an AFC North division title.
This might sound strange coming from me, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley deserves credit for what he's done with this offense. The Steelers have used no-huddle much more in the past -- I thought it helped Roethlisberger a lot -- but they haven't needed it much this season. That's how good they are playing. Haley wanted more balance, and they have it.
The Steelers are sixth in the NFL in scoring, first in yards, second in passing and 10th in rushing. It is a tough offense to stop.
Roethlisberger, who already has two Super Bowl rings, is having his best season. He can set new franchise marks for completions, yards and touchdown passes, all marks he already owns. He has thrown for 4,400 yards, 29 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. He has a passer rating of 103.4, which would be a career best if it stays that way.
The clutch factor shows up as well. He is tops in the league in fourth-quarter passing (with at least 100 attempts) with a rating of 112.0 with 10 touchdown passes and one interception. On third down, he is sixth among passers with 100 attempts on third down and has eight touchdown passes and one pick.
Then there's Bell. He has 1,278 rushing yards, but he is second in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,043 yards, which is a Steelers single-season record. He has become a force in the passing game with 765 yards. Think Marcus Allen.
Bell has been on a tear lately, going for over 200 yards from scrimmage in three of his last four games. That streak was snapped last week at Atlanta in a game in which his two touchdown runs helped the Steelers beat the Falcons.
Brown has cemented himself as one of the league's best receivers. He leads the NFL in both catches (115) and yards (1,498) and has 11 touchdown catches. He also leads the NFL in third-down catches with 33.
Brown can kill teams with the deep ball, but he's also good catching quick screens and accelerating for big plays.
There are other reasons why the offense has played better. The line is markedly improved over last season and earlier this season. Former Titans coach Mike Munchak, now the line coach, has done a nice job with the schemes, including using more zone-blocking schemes than in the past. The Steelers are also getting contributions from young receivers Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, which they had to get with Emmanuel Sanders moving on to Denver.
Mostly, though, it's about the big three. They are the reason the Steelers are in position to win the division, even though the defense is tied for 20th in the league in scoring defense.
I took a hard look at the Steelers offense the past few weeks and came away impressed in a big way. If teams load up to stop the run, Roethlisberger and Brown will kill them. If they back off, Bell will just keep pounding the football. His ability in the passing game is also huge.
read more
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24900814/after-further-review-examining-the-steelers-impressive-killer-bs-triplets