Rams O-Line is rated as one of the worst pass blocking lines in the league by PFF.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 10
Wednesday, November 6
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
OL Ramon Foster (Concussion) - Limited
WR Ryan Switzer (Back) - DNP
RB Benny Snell Jr. (Knee) - DNP
RB Trey Edmunds (Ribs) - DNP
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - DNP
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - DNP
OL Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - DNP
https://www.steelers.com/news/week-1...ry-report-rams
Rams WR Brandin Cooks out this Sunday - concussion
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/06/brandin-cooks-will-miss-week-10-with-a-concussion/
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 10
Thursday, November 7
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - DNP
OL Ramon Foster (Concussion) - DNP
WR Ryan Switzer (Back) - Full
RB Benny Snell Jr. (Knee) - DNP
RB Trey Edmunds (Ribs) - DNP
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - Full
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - Full
OL Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - Full
DE Tyson Alualu (Knee) - DNP
https://www.steelers.com/news/week-1...ry-report-rams
Alualu not practicing is a new addition - with Tuitt already gone that is a new problem to monitor
Well, if the Texans win their division we already have the tie breaker against the Colts, and the tie breaker against the Bills will be determined when we play them. But if the Colts win the division, the way we need to beat the Texans in a tiebreaker is against common opponents. We beat the Colts, and they lost one to the Colts... so that’s good. They also lost to the Rams so if we beat the Rams, and they end up splitting with Colts, that will be our tie breaker.
So what I’m saying is, in a wildcard race, this NFC game is probably just as meaningful as any other game. Maybe more if we need the tie breaker against the Texans.
The NFC game only becomes slightly less meaningful in a division race against the Ravens, where conference record might be the tie breaker it comes down to.
The point is, better to just win this one. It helps.
- - - Updated - - -
Forget what I just said about the Texans beating the Rams. That was preseason. Lol
Looking like Samuels may get 14-15 receptions this week. No Conner, no Snell, no Edmunds, no Nix? Good thing he’s the ‘Swiss Army Knife’, we may just need that corkscrew after this one. I’m hoping to need the toothpick instead. Here We Go!
Fortunately Switzer practiced so Mason will be able to get more reps on starting drives from inside his 25
Last edited by AtlantaDan; 11-08-2019 at 09:02 AM.
I personally don't put that on Switzer. The number of opposing tacklers that run free towards the kick returner while the ball is hanging in the air to be caught at the 5 yard line is pitiful.
I would hope Danny Smith is chewing an extra piece of gum in film session trying to figure out if the middle of his return team needs shuffling around or some extra blocking practice so every opposing kickoff doesn't look like the running of the bulls at Pamplona.
Of course there is the same mediocrity for punt returns as there is for kickoff returns - at least there is consistency
#30 in the league on average yards per kickoff return and #28 on average yards per punt return
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...ualified=false
Danny Smith's return teams once again meet their standard - it just happens to be low
I'd go with a heavy dose in TEs in the gameplan this week. Instead of 5 yards to the RB maybe Rudy can go 8-10 yards to the TE?
- - - Updated - - -
If Tomlin can figure out how to beat the Rams with that dink and junk offense this week he should move to the top of the coach of the year voting.
Hell yeah! If the Steelers beat the Rams, Tomlin should just get all the awards. And they should take all of McVay's away!
Matthews, Donald, Ramsey, and Weddle are a ton for a high-function NFL offense to handle. It is going to be fascinating to watch the current version of the Steelers offense attempt to handle those 4.
This is a game where the Steelers will have to force the Rams into playing a slow, grinding game. If any semblance of a shootout breaks out, they have no chance.
This is the type of matchup where Mason’s conservative possession style may come in handy. Keep the Rams on the sideline, and prevent the Rams O from getting a rhythm. Despite LA’s great talent at skill positions, their offensive line is said to be spotty. The Steelers D cannot worry about sacking Goff. They need to constantly pressure him.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 10
Game Status
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Out
OL Ramon Foster (Concussion) - Out
RB Benny Snell Jr. (Knee) - Out
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - Out
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Foot) - Questionable
Friday, November 8
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - DNP
OL Ramon Foster (Concussion) - DNP
WR Ryan Switzer (Back) - Full
RB Benny Snell Jr. (Knee) - DNP
RB Trey Edmunds (Ribs) - Full
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - Full
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - Full
OL Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - Full
DE Tyson Alualu (Knee) - Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Foot) - Limited
https://www.steelers.com/news/week-1...ry-report-rams
Now JuJu on the injured list - one of those seasons for JuJu where something keeps him from hitting his stride
We're gonna miss Juju's 15 yards! Rudy probably won't even notice he's gone since he doesn't look his way lol.
- - - Updated - - -
The behind the scenes scoop is that Juju is pretending to be out and he will come dressed as #32 and play RB so he can get a pass thrown his way.
Steelers have been living on the turnover and the defensive TD this year and it's been what's keeping them alive at this point. Without the abundance of turnovers they have forced, best case scenario they are 2-6 (with wins over the winless Bungals who quit late in the 3rd quarter of that game and the Dolphins who's starting lineup is typical of your average preseason game lineup), hell they might not have even beaten the Dolphins without the turnovers they forced. I sound like I'm stating an obvious underlying message that turnovers help win games but my point is the Steelers will need to force multiple turnovers and probably score a defensive TD to have any chance at victory, I can't envision them winning without it
Line opened at Rams -3&1/2 and now has moved to Rams -4&1/2
https://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odd...te/11-10-19#CW
Bettors presumably cannot see what the Steelers are going to do for points
I do not give the Rams much credit for beating up on the Falcons and Bengals for their past 2 wins. But in their three losses the only one where scoring was a problem was against the 49ers - Tampa Bay (40), @Seattle (29), San Fran (7)
In B4 the "I'm glad I was wrong" crowd... (but they're still picking the Browns on Thursday night.)