Filling Ike Taylor’s role in the Steelers’ secondary proved to be a painful exercise Sunday against San Diego.
Taylor missed his first game since 2004, and Philip Rivers and Co. took advantage, especially on third downs, by targeting second-year man Curtis Brown, who entered the game in the Steelers’ sub-package defenses.
Brown allowed four first-down catches — two to Michael Spurlock and two to Danario Alexander — in his 26 snaps. Overall, Brown was targeted six times and allowed six catches for 84 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pass to Alexander late in the first half before getting benched in the fourth quarter for Josh Victorian, who later gave up a touchdown.
But Brown wasn’t the only one who struggled replacing Taylor.
Cortez Allen, who got the start at right cornerback but moved to the slot in the nickel, was targeted seven times, giving up six catches for 46 yards, including three third-down conversions.
Most of Rivers’ success on third downs came on the same route: the out pattern. Of Rivers’ 41 attempts, 14 were out patterns, seven of which resulted in first downs. Rivers finished 9 of 14 for 67 yards when he targeted an out-cutting receiver
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Originally Posted by Steeldude
