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EzraTank
12-07-2020, 10:28 AM
Okay, unlike 2017/18 "we have to beat the Patriots" I'm not putting the cart before the horse, because both the Chiefs and Steelers have to play well enough to earn the right to face each other. But let's assume they meet in the playoffs for arguments sake this year.

I've watched the last four games the Chiefs have played (Carolina, Vegas, Tampa, Denver) and one thing I have noticed is that their defense is really not that great. It's decent but not great. If we stay healthy I don't see any reason we can't move the ball on them. I really think this game is going to come down to which defense can make a stop on the other teams offense and I like our defense over theirs. If we can come up with a plan to contain Mahomes (like Lamar Jackson lite) and keep him in the pocket we should be okay. But unlike Lamar, Mahomes can actually throw the ball quite accurately. The key is contain and pressure him. If he gets outside the pocket, like Lamar, you're in trouble.

That said it would most likely be a shootout and I still give the Chiefs the slight edge over us. You have to play a perfect game against them and generate turnovers or it will be a long day.

oneforthetoe
12-07-2020, 10:34 AM
The Chiefs should fall in all the power rankings for their unimpressive victories (and 1 loss) in division games. Oops sorry, my mistake, that only applies to the Steelers.:tt02:

EzraTank
12-07-2020, 10:37 AM
The Chiefs have been playing down to opponents for weeks. But the scary thing about them is when they play bad and give up a TD, Mahomes and Kelce just seem to flip a switch, walk right down the field and score a TD.

dislocatedday
12-07-2020, 11:04 AM
I was thinking the same thing last night watching the KC-Denver game. The national media feels like the Steelers are a sham and that their 11-0 record is a mirage. Sure, they have not blown out some weaker teams and they did play sloppy last week, but the Chiefs have done the same this season. They almost lost to the Chargers, Denver, and the Raiders a second time. There may be some other games they had narrow victories as well. The Chiefs and Steelers are both elite teams this season and they have demonstrated that on the field this season. A mark of a great team is one that can overcome their mistakes/poor execution and find ways to win games even when things are not going perfectly.

cubanstogie
12-07-2020, 11:28 AM
I was thinking the same thing last night watching the KC-Denver game. The national media feels like the Steelers are a sham and that their 11-0 record is a mirage. Sure, they have not blown out some weaker teams and they did play sloppy last week, but the Chiefs have done the same this season. They almost lost to the Chargers, Denver, and the Raiders a second time. There may be some other games they had narrow victories as well. The Chiefs and Steelers are both elite teams this season and they have demonstrated that on the field this season. A mark of a great team is one that can overcome their mistakes/poor execution and find ways to win games even when things are not going perfectly.
Not all media think Steelers are a sham. Tony Romo was saying Steelers most complete team in weak 5. Said he wouldn’t be surprised if they won next 3 to go to 8-0. I remember because I was shocked. Out if all the analysts Romo knows football best IMO. Most of the guys on NFL channel need something to do after retirement and suck at golf. David Carr still thinks his brother is top 3 qb. But besides cowher and Romo you’re probably right about rest of media. I haven’t watched any pregame or postgame shows this season, just football. It’s really like arguing politics, a waste of time. I still haven’t cut the cord on that yet.

ETL
12-07-2020, 01:05 PM
Vic Fangio - Denver HC is a defensive specialist. After he left Chicago - the Bears defense has become nothing.

Fangio played 6 in the box yesterday. He was letting KC run but wouldn’t allow them to get an easy score with the pass. And when the space got smaller when KC reached the red zone - it became easier to put 7 in the box and still cover the pass.

the result was 5 field goals and only one touchdown. If Denver had a better offense they could have won yesterday.

this is the blueprint the Steelers need to use against Mahomes. Let them run but don’t let them get easy TDs and our offense needs to control the clock and score TDs while they score FGs.

NCSteeler
12-07-2020, 02:02 PM
Cover kelce, double hill contain MaHomes.

If we had a kelce type , always wide open in the middle we'd be unstoppable

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Blast Furnace
12-07-2020, 02:11 PM
Double Hill and put Sutton on Kelce. Sutton's length can definitely help him contain Kelce. Then, the Chiefs have very little to offer!

Iron Steeler
12-07-2020, 02:32 PM
Double Hill and put Sutton on Kelce. Sutton's length can definitely help him contain Kelce. Then, the Chiefs have very little to offer!


Anytime Hill is behind the line of scrimmage and in motion, just bump him hard right away, disrupt timing. Same with Kelce.

Bush and Dupree would be such valuable pieces here!

El-Gonzo Jackson
12-07-2020, 02:44 PM
Vic Fangio - Denver HC is a defensive specialist. After he left Chicago - the Bears defense has become nothing.

Fangio played 6 in the box yesterday. He was letting KC run but wouldn’t allow them to get an easy score with the pass. And when the space got smaller when KC reached the red zone - it became easier to put 7 in the box and still cover the pass.

the result was 5 field goals and only one touchdown. If Denver had a better offense they could have won yesterday.

this is the blueprint the Steelers need to use against Mahomes. Let them run but don’t let them get easy TDs and our offense needs to control the clock and score TDs while they score FGs.

Cool observation. Good way to stay out of a track meet with the Chiefs.

Edman
12-07-2020, 04:01 PM
The Chiefs are defending champions with high-powered offense and the new elite QB on the block. They've been to the postseason the last six years.

The Steelers right now....are just an 11-0 team in a year where many in the offseason called them the third best team in the AFC North, and didn't expect Ben to be any good coming off an elbow injury. The Steelers have beaten the low expectations placed on them.

In this "What have you done for me lately" league, The Chiefs have accomplished a lot. The Steelers unfortunately have not. This reminds of 2004, where the Steelers were very good, but overshadowed by the elite. If this team wants their due. They earn it.

st33lersguy
12-07-2020, 07:55 PM
With the way the Steelers are playing today and last Wednesday on offense the Chiefs defense will have no problem stopping this offense

st33lersguy
12-07-2020, 08:25 PM
Shut this thread down. They have no business being mentioned in the same breath as the Chiefs. They'll be lucky to not be the first no. 2 seed to trip up against the 7th seed.

Chiefs won't beat this team because these two teams won't even meet in the playoffs

Fire Goodell
12-07-2020, 08:25 PM
Too many injuries on defense, we shouldn't even be talking about beating the Chiefs right now, cause right now we ain't good enough

EzraTank
12-07-2020, 08:29 PM
After today it won't even be close, but no worries we aren't making the AFC Title game.

Edman
12-07-2020, 08:34 PM
Getting shut down by the Name Redacted.

That Better shut up real good about this team hanging with the Chiefs. Kansas City will swamp them.

Even This team will get blown out by the Browns the way they are playing now.

Fire Goodell
12-07-2020, 08:35 PM
Did Tuitt post something on social media again telling them to pad their stats? Cause they sure played like last week.

EzraTank
12-07-2020, 08:35 PM
Yep the Browns have a real legit shot at winning the division as well. We have @Buffalo, Colts and @Browns coming up. We could easily end up 12-4 and the Browns 13-3.

fansince'76
12-07-2020, 08:36 PM
Getting shut down by the Name Redacted.

That Better shut up real good about this team hanging with the Chiefs. Kansas City will swamp them.

Even This team will get blown out by the Browns the way they are playing now.

Who are you kidding? This is probably the happiest you've been all season. :coffee:

dislocatedday
12-07-2020, 08:46 PM
After today, I can't hold this team up as a dominant, elite team. They have been playing worse and worse as the weeks go on this season. Most of the fault goes to the offense, but the defense has had its poor moments as well. They go to Buffalo Sunday, and if they continue playing like they have lately they will likely get beaten easily.

The team will get in the playoffs, but if it is a one and done effort there should be some changes I hope. I love everything Ben has done for this franchise, but he is really struggling getting the ball down the field, and I don't know if the team can keep relying on him as he nears 40. Brees and Brady are exceptions, not the norm. I don't think the team should keep rolling indefinitely with Fichtner as the coordinator. A new coordinator seems like something Ben would not be OK with, but obviously I don't know that. The offensive line needs some replenishment as does the group of RBs. The cap situation looks bleak for next year too, so that does not help matters.

It just feels like the team is heading on a slow and extended downward spiral that ends in massive disappointment.

UPDATE: Part of the above is just me venting as today's loss feels really bad. I may be over-reacting. If they go up to Buffalo and put a good game together and win I will feel better.

EzraTank
12-07-2020, 09:55 PM
Ok I've calmed down. Tonight shitty play finally caught up to us but there were other factors. The Redskins had 10 days of rest to be ready for this game. In just 12 days we have played three games. Losing Dupree, Spillane, Nelson, Conner, Boswell, Pouncey, Haden hurt us a lot. At this point we know Dupree & Bush are done for the season but let's hope the rest can come back. If Spillane's knee injury is serious we are in trouble. But if not we just have to get healthy. Going on the road in the playoffs this year isn't a big deal. We just need to correct our offense and fast.

86WARD
12-07-2020, 10:25 PM
There’s absolutely 100% without a doubt that this team can NOT beat the Chiefs and it won’t be close. The Chiefs defense is better than the Steelers offense and the Chiefs offense will put points up on the Steelers. Hell I’ll even go further and tell you that they won’t even make it to the Chiefs. They will lose to Buffalo, they will lose to the Browns and if the Browns beat the Ravens, they will pretty much lock up,the division at 13-3 and the Steelers at 12-4 will be playing a Wild Card game in Cleveland or Buffalo and they may not come out of that game with a win.

The offense is beyond inept. It’s a walking shit show every week. 3 and out to start the games, get to the 50 and punt, then three and outs, blah, blah, blah...same fucking shitty plays, same results, same crap week in and week out.

The O-Line can’t run block enough to get one yard? It happens weekly. There’s no team in the history of football that pass blocks in order to run the ball. It’s just doesn’t work. The wrap around draw is a play they run 10 times a week and for the last 10 years, it hasn’t worked but maybe 2% of the time? Facts? Not really but observations...yes. It’s not like this shit offense is an isolated incident...it’s a weekly thing. They get little to no yards on first down. Little to negative yards on second down and then are in a third and long situation in which they run a 2 yard route, hand the ball off to the slowest back on the team or they run a route where a receiver drops the ball or catches it two yards short of a first down. It’s an every week thing. 4th & 1 and you finally choose to throw the ball,downfield to a 3rd string RB? This current offense will do nothing against a decent team...nothing.

86WARD
12-07-2020, 10:35 PM
From the above rant, you’d think the team was 1-11 and not 11-1 but it’s true...they’ve found ways to win, but they’ve been regressing on a weekly basis...the arrow is not pointing up,for this team...

Fire Goodell
12-07-2020, 10:47 PM
From the above rant, you’d think the team was 1-11 and not 11-1 but it’s true...they’ve found ways to win, but they’ve been regressing on a weekly basis...the arrow is not pointing up,for this team...

We've had our schedule fucked with more than any other team. The thanksgiving game was moved till literally a week later, then they have basically 3 days to prepare for Washington, and now one less day to prepare for Buffalo because of the Washington game being moved back.

dislocatedday
12-07-2020, 10:59 PM
We've had our schedule fucked with more than any other team. The thanksgiving game was moved till literally a week later, then they have basically 3 days to prepare for Washington, and now one less day to prepare for Buffalo because of the Washington game being moved back.

At least Buffalo is also playing tonight, and out west too which adds additional travel lag to even things up somewhat heading into next week's game.

teegre
12-08-2020, 07:30 AM
Vic Fangio - Denver HC is a defensive specialist. After he left Chicago - the Bears defense has become nothing.

Fangio played 6 in the box yesterday. He was letting KC run but wouldn’t allow them to get an easy score with the pass. And when the space got smaller when KC reached the red zone - it became easier to put 7 in the box and still cover the pass.

the result was 5 field goals and only one touchdown. If Denver had a better offense they could have won yesterday.

this is the blueprint the Steelers need to use against Mahomes. Let them run but don’t let them get easy TDs and our offense needs to control the clock and score TDs while they score FGs.

100%

Essentially beg them to run, which takes the ball out of their best player’s hands. It’s the opposite of the way you would play the Ravens (you’d dare the Ravens to pass).

86WARD
12-08-2020, 08:49 AM
We've had our schedule fucked with more than any other team. The thanksgiving game was moved till literally a week later, then they have basically 3 days to prepare for Washington, and now one less day to prepare for Buffalo because of the Washington game being moved back.

I still don’t get why the offense is just deteriorating away to nothing...it’s been longer than just these past couple weeks.

I watched a couple run plays yesterday where the line started pass blocking and continued to back pedal as Snell got the ball and then when Snell decided to run from a full stop, the defense was already a yard or two in the backfield. It’s a terrible scheme. I get that you may do it occasionally to throw the defense off but at a point you then attack...these guys don’t do that.

Mojouw
12-08-2020, 11:31 AM
I still don’t get why the offense is just deteriorating away to nothing...it’s been longer than just these past couple weeks.

I watched a couple run plays yesterday where the line started pass blocking and continued to back pedal as Snell got the ball and then when Snell decided to run from a full stop, the defense was already a yard or two in the backfield. It’s a terrible scheme. I get that you may do it occasionally to throw the defense off but at a point you then attack...these guys don’t do that.

The run blocking is atrocious. But the biggest problem with the offense is the almost total inability of the QB and WRs to connect on passes downfield except on a Claypool DPI. Many have wondered what Washington meant by "Baltimore told us". Heck, I could see it. Even dumb-ass Kaboly wrote about in the Athletic this morning. So if the two of us can figure it out...gonna guess it was easy for NFL defenses. Walk your safeties down. No one is running deep routes. Even if they do...so what? It isn't getting completed. Push your interior LBs back. Totally shrink ANY passing windows in the middle of the field. Think the clinching pass to Washington against Baltimore and the almost pick between the LB and Safety against WFT early in the game. Then tell your CB's to squat on the shorter routes. Backpedal a bit, keep it all in front of you...then close to contest the catch or make the tackle. Biggest, job...get your man on the ground and don't let a 3 yard pass turn into a 10 yard gain.

Until the can consistently go vertical or run up the middle to make defenses pay for moving the safeties out of deep responsibilities or playing their LBs deeper...this is the EXACT gameplan every single team will copy and paste. Honestly, I can't believe it took this long. I think Baltimore was just the first team that had the stones to totally not care about the Steelers "deep passing threat".

dislocatedday
12-08-2020, 01:23 PM
....Walk your safeties down. No one is running deep routes. Even if they do...so what? It isn't getting completed. Push your interior LBs back. Totally shrink ANY passing windows in the middle of the field. Think the clinching pass to Washington against Baltimore and the almost pick between the LB and Safety against WFT early in the game. Then tell your CB's to squat on the shorter routes. Backpedal a bit, keep it all in front of you...then close to contest the catch or make the tackle. Biggest, job...get your man on the ground and don't let a 3 yard pass turn into a 10 yard gain....

I wondered last night during the game how it seemed like there were 2-3 Redskins players around everyone of our receivers. It was maddening. I went back and watched some of the game on tape afterwards, and what you pointed out above Mojouw is exactly what the Redskins were doing. While I had to go back and watch that aspect of the game closer to see it after the fact, how can the caching staff not make adjustments in the game? I assume they have some coaching staff members watching what the WFT is doing.

I am also fairly sure that the Steelers were trying to protect Ben from taking hits from the Washington defensive front, and thus were trying to get the ball out of his hands quickly.........but at some point you have to adjust to what the other team is doing and not play into their hands.

NCSteeler
12-08-2020, 01:27 PM
They can squat on everything but if you take you shots, they'll loosen up. We didn't take any shots. You throw claypool deep. Ten time a game that's a fifty of a few TDs or at least big gains via PI or catches

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Fire Goodell
12-08-2020, 01:42 PM
They can squat on everything but if you take you shots, they'll loosen up. We didn't take any shots. You throw claypool deep. Ten time a game that's a fifty of a few TDs or at least big gains via PI or catches

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

When all else fails, just give em the Flacco special :chuckle:

Mojouw
12-08-2020, 01:46 PM
I wondered last night during the game how it seemed like there were 2-3 Redskins players around everyone of our receivers. It was maddening. I went back and watched some of the game on tape afterwards, and what you pointed out above Mojouw is exactly what the Redskins were doing. While I had to go back and watch that aspect of the game closer to see it after the fact, how can the caching staff not make adjustments in the game? I assume they have some coaching staff members watching what the WFT is doing.

I am also fairly sure that the Steelers were trying to protect Ben from taking hits from the Washington defensive front, and thus were trying to get the ball out of his hands quickly.........but at some point you have to adjust to what the other team is doing and not play into their hands.

The starting quarterback for the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers can not accurately throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field. Full stop. That is the harsh and perhaps unfair reality that needs to be said out loud and acknowledged. He has plenty of arm to get the ball there. But think back. When was the last time he hit a guy in stride down the sideline? When was the last time a WR didn't have to contort himself downfield as the throw went to the wrong shoulder or drifted out of bounds?

86WARD
12-08-2020, 02:01 PM
The run blocking is atrocious. But the biggest problem with the offense is the almost total inability of the QB and WRs to connect on passes downfield except on a Claypool DPI. Many have wondered what Washington meant by "Baltimore told us". Heck, I could see it. Even dumb-ass Kaboly wrote about in the Athletic this morning. So if the two of us can figure it out...gonna guess it was easy for NFL defenses. Walk your safeties down. No one is running deep routes. Even if they do...so what? It isn't getting completed. Push your interior LBs back. Totally shrink ANY passing windows in the middle of the field. Think the clinching pass to Washington against Baltimore and the almost pick between the LB and Safety against WFT early in the game. Then tell your CB's to squat on the shorter routes. Backpedal a bit, keep it all in front of you...then close to contest the catch or make the tackle. Biggest, job...get your man on the ground and don't let a 3 yard pass turn into a 10 yard gain.

Until the can consistently go vertical or run up the middle to make defenses pay for moving the safeties out of deep responsibilities or playing their LBs deeper...this is the EXACT gameplan every single team will copy and paste. Honestly, I can't believe it took this long. I think Baltimore was just the first team that had the stones to totally not care about the Steelers "deep passing threat".

Makes total sense...unfortunately...

- - - Updated - - -


The run blocking is atrocious. But the biggest problem with the offense is the almost total inability of the QB and WRs to connect on passes downfield except on a Claypool DPI. Many have wondered what Washington meant by "Baltimore told us". Heck, I could see it. Even dumb-ass Kaboly wrote about in the Athletic this morning. So if the two of us can figure it out...gonna guess it was easy for NFL defenses. Walk your safeties down. No one is running deep routes. Even if they do...so what? It isn't getting completed. Push your interior LBs back. Totally shrink ANY passing windows in the middle of the field. Think the clinching pass to Washington against Baltimore and the almost pick between the LB and Safety against WFT early in the game. Then tell your CB's to squat on the shorter routes. Backpedal a bit, keep it all in front of you...then close to contest the catch or make the tackle. Biggest, job...get your man on the ground and don't let a 3 yard pass turn into a 10 yard gain.

Until the can consistently go vertical or run up the middle to make defenses pay for moving the safeties out of deep responsibilities or playing their LBs deeper...this is the EXACT gameplan every single team will copy and paste. Honestly, I can't believe it took this long. I think Baltimore was just the first team that had the stones to totally not care about the Steelers "deep passing threat".

Makes total sense...unfortunately...

dislocatedday
12-08-2020, 02:57 PM
The starting quarterback for the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers can not accurately throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field. Full stop. That is the harsh and perhaps unfair reality that needs to be said out loud and acknowledged. He has plenty of arm to get the ball there. But think back. When was the last time he hit a guy in stride down the sideline? When was the last time a WR didn't have to contort himself downfield as the throw went to the wrong shoulder or drifted out of bounds?

I think he may have hit Claypool in stride down the field once or twice earlier in the season on long accurate throws, but yes, his accuracy past 15-20 yards leaves something to be desired this season.

I am torn on Ben R continuing to play past this season. It's obviously his and the Steelers front office decision to make, and not mine. I know at some point soon this team needs to get younger at the QB spot and find his successor, and with the Steelers cap situation next offseason, I wonder if it might be best for all if he retires and the Steelers get some cap relief from his base salary next season.

Rotorhead
12-08-2020, 05:15 PM
Oh give me a break, torn on BR playing past this season? Remember last season when we were 8-8 with atrocious QB play? We are 11-1 and currently hold the #1 seed people. Please name me on FA QB this last off season gets us to 11-1? I’ll wait . . .

We are 1 win away from a playoff spot. So we lost a game, we just played 3 games in 12 days, maybe some of you never played football in real life, but players need that time off to rest their bodies. If it doesn’t happen they start getting worn out as games wear on. It was so obvious the second half of this game that they were completely gassed. Hell, Hilton just came back, Williamson was fresh, Tuitt was fresh and all played just fine. This team needs some rest unfortunately. Hopefully Pouncey and Conner will be refreshed for the stretch run and maybe we can find a way to rest some other key guys (Spillane will get a couple weeks off). I am hoping Coach will just let them rest this week with limited practice time so they can heal up.

dislocatedday
12-08-2020, 06:52 PM
Oh give me a break, torn on BR playing past this season? Remember last season when we were 8-8 with atrocious QB play? We are 11-1 and currently hold the #1 seed people. Please name me on FA QB this last off season gets us to 11-1? I’ll wait . . .

We are 1 win away from a playoff spot. So we lost a game, we just played 3 games in 12 days, maybe some of you never played football in real life, but players need that time off to rest their bodies. If it doesn’t happen they start getting worn out as games wear on. It was so obvious the second half of this game that they were completely gassed. Hell, Hilton just came back, Williamson was fresh, Tuitt was fresh and all played just fine. This team needs some rest unfortunately. Hopefully Pouncey and Conner will be refreshed for the stretch run and maybe we can find a way to rest some other key guys (Spillane will get a couple weeks off). I am hoping Coach will just let them rest this week with limited practice time so they can heal up.

I'm looking at BR playing past this season from the perspective of the salary cap next year and decisions Steelers will need to make on players coming due for new contracts. I am not saying it based on last night's game.

It would give them some flexibility next offseason if Ben did retire to retain some younger players. I think Ben is going to count $41 million against the cap if I am not mistaken. Some of that is pro-rated signing bonus so Steelers would not get that part of the money back in all likelihood. Most likely Ben plays out his contract next year, and then both sides evaluate the situation heading into the 2022 season. There are ways for the Steelers to sign guys where bigger cap hits occur in following years, but I also know next year is all messed up because of the reduced cap, and the Steelers will likely need to cut or restructure players just to get under the cap............and that does not even count signing guys who are free agents after this year. I realize how bad things were without Ben last year, and I certainly do not think Mason Rudolph or Duck are the future starting QB of this team.

pczach
12-08-2020, 08:31 PM
Oh give me a break, torn on BR playing past this season? Remember last season when we were 8-8 with atrocious QB play? We are 11-1 and currently hold the #1 seed people. Please name me on FA QB this last off season gets us to 11-1? I’ll wait . . .

We are 1 win away from a playoff spot. So we lost a game, we just played 3 games in 12 days, maybe some of you never played football in real life, but players need that time off to rest their bodies. If it doesn’t happen they start getting worn out as games wear on. It was so obvious the second half of this game that they were completely gassed. Hell, Hilton just came back, Williamson was fresh, Tuitt was fresh and all played just fine. This team needs some rest unfortunately. Hopefully Pouncey and Conner will be refreshed for the stretch run and maybe we can find a way to rest some other key guys (Spillane will get a couple weeks off). I am hoping Coach will just let them rest this week with limited practice time so they can heal up.


Exactly.

Way too many people never played the game and simply don't understand that harsh reality. It makes more sense to blame the quarterback that keeps throwing inaccurate passes that keep bouncing off of receiver's hands and chests.

He threw a beautiful ball to McFarland down the sideline, but he couldn't adjust to the ball like NFL players are supposed to be able to do.

This team needs some time off. They need some players to get healthy.

The team is 11-1 and people are losing their minds and fear the team is circling the drain. They just played 3 games in 12 days, and when they played last night were the first team in history to have less than 5 days rest that played a team with more than 10 days rest. In other words, they got screwed by the entire situation. It doesn't mean the team is imploding.

They need to come in off the ledge.

I suspect that they are going to run the ball better when Pouncey and Conner are back healthy.

I suspect that they are throwing a million short passes because the most important thing right now is to keep Ben healthy. If they lose Ben, the season is over....period.

I suspect that the team is going to open things up more, use some stuff they haven't put on film, and throw the ball down the field more often in more important games....like playoff games.

They've taken a couple hits in the form of injuries. They need to adjust and the players that are taking their places on the field will improve with more playing time until the starters return.

Let's give the team a chance to get back on their feet and see how they finish the season before we throw dirt on them.

11-1 and the sky is falling. Come on people.

Mojouw
12-08-2020, 09:00 PM
The sky is not falling. But the cracks have been visible all season. It's not an overreaction to point out a season long trend.

Ben is off on deep passes. To a degree that for 2 weeks in a row the defensive gameplan didn't really factor it in. No way you squash your LBs and safeties together like the Ravens and WFT did if you are.

Once? Okay. The Ravens are a division foe. Crap happens. Twice? Now we have a trend. A blueprint if you will.

Pointing that out is hardly chicken little freaking out. The open question is does the team have a counter move? So far for 12 games, the offense has not had another "move". It was basically the 4-5 receiver short passing game or punting. While it isn't quite that extreme, it's not exactly a varied offense.

Again, I'm no great shakes at breaking this all down, but I see plenty of playmakers. So why the struggle? All I got is that it's a horrid run blocking line. And that the tick or two that Ben is off AND the inability of receivers to adjust means the passing game lacks a vertical element.

teegre
12-08-2020, 11:18 PM
Hmmm... interesting. Thinking back to the Dallas game, the Cowboys kept daring us to pass deep on them. We never did.

That might also be what Montez Sweat was screaming about after the game. Hmmm...

Fire Goodell
12-08-2020, 11:27 PM
Hmmm... interesting. Thinking back to the Dallas game, the Cowboys kept daring us to pass deep on them. We never did.

That might also be what Montez Sweat was screaming about after the game. Hmmm...

I do occasionally miss seeing ben hold the ball for 10 secs and pump fake 3x then go deep :chuckle:

If they keep dropping 7 or 8 back in coverage i'd like to see him take extra time for plays to develop

Steeler-in-west
12-08-2020, 11:27 PM
Conner has a 4.4 yards per carry average this season. That’s not too bad and he’s been out for the last two games. Let’s see how the offense is with him and pouncey back. Nelson and hopefully Haden back on defense should help too.

teegre
12-09-2020, 09:18 AM
Here is a scary stat:

The Steelers have attempted a total (TOTAL) of 11​ passes down the middle of the field of fifteen yards or more. :scared:

(JuJu was targeted/caught 7 of those.)

Born2Steel
12-09-2020, 10:15 AM
Offensively the Steelers have had issues since week1, even with the high scoring outcomes. Over the season the little things never got truly fixed because we kept winning. Every week some analysts were pointing out little things here and there. NOW, it has cost us a game.

You see the same thing with the Chiefs too. They are good enough to win most weeks even with the little things they do wrong. Against the right team or in the right situation this can equal a loss. I have no desire to argue and point/counter point what those little things are or are not but we all know they exist.

Neither team has to fix much really to go on a big playoff run. Same can be said for a few teams though. It's coming down to details and focus. The talent is there, the execution is off. If it gets fixed the Steelers stand a very good chance at number7. If not, they probably have an early exit from the playoffs. It's no different starting 11-1 or 6-6 after 12 games. This is when you have to put it all together and make that push. The 4th quarter of the season is here.

teegre
12-09-2020, 10:44 AM
Interesting stat about Ben getting rid of the ball quickly/not getting sacked in 255 consecutive pass attempts.

That is third all-time. It is 1 behind Washington (1991) with 256 straight pass attempts... and 520 behind Miami (1988-89) who didn’t allow a sack for freakin’ 775 pass attempts!!!

Mojouw
12-09-2020, 11:00 AM
Here is a scary stat:

The Steelers have attempted a total (TOTAL) of 11​ passes down the middle of the field of fifteen yards or more. :scared:

(JuJu was targeted/caught 7 of those.)

That would seem to be a problem. Perhaps that is why there is no running room?

Rotorhead
12-11-2020, 04:13 PM
That would seem to be a problem. Perhaps that is why there is no running room?

Exactly, but our deep passes need to go to Claypool and Washington with a sprinkling to Juju and Dionte. For some reason we aren’t doing that so much. If we start hitting 2-3 of those a game, running room opens up big time.