Coach Cowher just said.... SIT BEN NEXT WEEK.... What say you ?

[katmandu]

Yes, rest his ass and get ready for the Playoff run !

[Shoes]

That is a double-edged sword.

[ShoeHorn]

Sit whoever you want. Just avoid a first round matchup with the Ravens. Whatever it takes.

[BlackAndGold]

I asked this during the PG thread. Is it better to let him build off of this performance or do you give a week off for much needed rest.

Note: Ben seems to be 'slow starter' after a week off.

[fansince'76]

Play him a series or two and then bring Rudolph in.

[EzraTank]

It depends on what happens with the Bills. If Miami is the #7 seed that means that they beat Buffalo. You want the #2 seed over #3.

[86WARD]

It’s probably going to be the Browns or the Ravens. I say play a half and then rest.

[HollywoodSteel]

I think it’s a no brainer. You sit Ben.

Didn’t we want a bye? That’s what this is and he needs it. I know he can be a slow starter after a week off, but his body needs the rest

[Shoes]

Garrett-Rudolph 2


Mason's new helmet for next week.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I say sit Fichtner for this week and see if that energizes the offense. 4 plays from the 1 yard line and you cant score a TD?? 3rd and 2 at the end of the game and you call a play for an out to Johnson behind the LOS where he is tackled for no gain?? He's only hurting the team.

[HollywoodSteel]

Garrett-Rudolph 2


Mason's new helmet for next week.

That’s the last thing you’d want to get pummeled with

[lipps83]

I say sit Fichtner for this week and see if that energizes the offense. 4 plays from the 1 yard line and you cant score a TD?? 3rd and 2 at the end of the game and you call a play for an out to Johnson behind the LOS where he is tackled for no gain?? He's only hurting the team.

This is the only strategy sit I would care about.

[pczach]

Garrett-Rudolph 2


Mason's new helmet for next week.

Rudolph is making his way to the next game.

[Shoes]

Rudolph is making his way to the next game.

[pczach]

[teegre]

If the Bills lose tomorrow night, the #2 seed is out to lose. (If so, then you play Ben.)

GO TAPERIOTS!!!

I know, I know... it’s counterintuitive. But, a win by the cheaters helps us get the #2 seed AND drops the Taperiots farther down in the draft order.

[st33lersguy]

The nfl screwed up the playoff positioning be cause they're greedy assholes so the difference between a 2 seed and a 3 seed is minuscule.

[Iron Steeler]

Play Josh Dobbs

[that1guy]

Ben had one good half of football in the last 5 weeks, he needs to continue improving and sitting him interrupts the continuity. Let's not gloss over what this offense has looked like since the Cowboys game.

[Blast Furnace]

Ben had one good half of football in the last 5 weeks, he needs to continue improving and sitting him interrupts the continuity. Let's not gloss over what this offense has looked like since the Cowboys game.

I think Ben got to the point today, knowing they needed to win this game, that he just said fuck it and went rogue today. I don't think the coaching staff liked him drawing plays in the dirt and winning games - it made them look bad! That's why you saw the offence over the last 5 weeks, he was being a good little boy and following coaches orders. Today I think he said fuck it again and took control!

[steelcityboyz]

Ben needs to play... he's not the sharpest when he has time off.

[FrancoLambert]

Play him a series or two and then bring Rudolph in.

Winner!!!

[teegre]

I think Ben got to the point today, knowing they needed to win this game, that he just said fuck it and went rogue today. I don't think the coaching staff liked him drawing plays in the dirt and winning games - it made them look bad! That's why you saw the offence over the last 5 weeks, he was being a good little boy and following coaches orders. Today I think he said fuck it again and took control!

The coaching staff told Ben to throw it short/behind his receivers, to throw INTs, and to ignore a wide open Claypool (multiple times)???

Thank goodness he stopped listening to them... and started throwing TDs instead.

[EzraTank]

The nfl screwed up the playoff positioning be cause they're greedy assholes so the difference between a 2 seed and a 3 seed is minuscule.

Exactly! They should have left it alone.

[HollywoodSteel]

I really don’t think the Steelers coaching staff looks at it the way fans do about Ben’s need for continuity. They’ll see his body’s need for the week off to be the greater priority.

[pczach]

The coaching staff told Ben to throw it short/behind his receivers, to throw INTs, and to ignore a wide open Claypool (multiple times)???

Thank goodness he stopped listening to them... and started throwing TDs instead.

NEXT GEN stats on NFL Network: In the 2nd half, Ben was 8-8, 145 yards, 2 TD on passes with 2.5+ seconds to throw.

You don't have time to go through all your progressions to find wide open WR's or pump fake with 2 seconds or less to throw the ball.

Offensive line play matters.

He was also doing it with ZERO running game.

[teegre]

As others have said, the difference between the #2 seed and the #3 seed is negligible (especially with no crowds). So, resting players might be worthwhile.

Ben plays rusty after bye weeks; so, maybe get him into rhythm for a half...???

That said, I rest TJ and Heyward for the entire game. Tuitt and Bince play a quarter. Minkah, Haden, and Nelson can play a half.

On offense, DeCastro, Boz, and Conner might need to sit/rest the entire game, as well. DJ should play a quarter, in order to maintain his timing with Ben... but, his ankle needs to heal. Luckily, Washington and Ray-Ray are very capable backups.

[teegre]

NEXT GEN stats on NFL Network: In the 2nd half, Ben was 8-8, 145 yards, 2 TD on passes with 2.5+ seconds to throw.

You don't have time to go through all your progressions to find wide open WR's or pump fake with 2 seconds or less to throw the ball.

Offensive line play matters.

He was also doing it with ZERO running game.

I was more referring to the Bengals game (since the other post was talking about the past 5 weeks).

But, for the Colts game, his first three throws of the game hit his receivers in the knees. I’m pretty sure that the coaches didn’t tell him to do that...

[Mojouw]

As others have said, the difference between the #2 seed and the #3 seed is negligible (especially with no crowds). So, resting players might be worthwhile.

Ben plays rusty after bye weeks; so, maybe get him into rhythm for a half...???

That said, I rest TJ and Heyward for the entire game. Tuitt and Bince play a quarter. Minkah, Haden, and Nelson can play a half.

On offense, DeCastro, Boz, and Conner might need to sit/rest the entire game, as well. DJ should play a quarter, in order to maintain his timing with Ben... but, his ankle needs to heal. Luckily, Washington and Ray-Ray are very capable backups.

Wouldn't the 2 versus 3 mean you avoid the Chiefs longer?

[teegre]

Wouldn't the 2 versus 3 mean you avoid the Chiefs longer?

Yes... but, I’m hoping for an Andy Reid playoff “fizzle out” in the divisional round.