Steelers Defense, anything we are missing?

[fightingirish595]

I don't think Pittsburgh has ever come to Gillette with Brady as the QB and won. I like that. steelers are bottom of the league in completion percentage and are in the middle in YPA. One thing I always look at is can your defense get a stop in a big moment. I had concerns about their D late in the game before yesterday, and they did more to hurt confidence in their d late then help. They let KC go right down the field. They do deserve credit for getting the stop on the two.

 

[RobertWeathers]

How does he explain the Eli Manning Superbowls?

Injuries, sheer luck and total ********

 

[ChessToCheckers]

I am anticipating a great game on Saturday, particularly with how the Pats play against the Steelers O-Line and Bell. His running style is mesmerizing and their line is excellent.

Hopefully, Brady is on his A game. We are going to need it!

Go Pats!

 

[PF_SU]

Big Ben didn't stand out like he normally does (I'll have to check his stats). Their red zone scoring was putrid (obviously).

For some reason Roethlisberger has struggled massively on the road these last couple of years (for his standards).

2015: 6 games, 1850 yards, 70.8% completion, 5 TDs, 9 INTs
2016: 8 games, 1904 yards, 59.36% completion, 9 TDs, 8 INTs

At home he's absolutely killing it, but on the road he is playing like an average QB.

 

[long distance]

The Steelers have a young, hard-hitting defense, able to get after the quarterback and stop the run. Pittsburgh’s 27 sacks in the final eight games of the regular season were tied for the most in the NFL over that period. The Steelers also held their opponents to under 100 yards rushing in almost all their wins. They have allowed 18.7 points per game over their past nine games and finished the regular season 12th in the NFL in total defense.

When the Steelers missed the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 one of the problems pinpointed by scouting and coaching staffs was a lack of speed on defense. The Steelers were a defense in transition as older and slower players were being phased out and new, young playmakers were being sought. This season, eight of their starters have three years of NFL experience or less. Several of their recent draft picks have developed into impact players (Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, Stephon Tuitt) while rookies Artie Burns, Sean Davis, and Javon Hargrave, have all locked down starting roles.

Their defense is also notable for its speed, athleticism and ball skills. Linebackers Bud Dupree and Ryan Shazier, defensive end Stephon Tuitt, cornerback Artie Burns and safety Mike Mitchell are among the fastest players in the league at their respective positions. Dupree ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the 2015 NFL combine, the fastest time for an outside linebacker. He also posted the best vertical leap and best broad jump for his position group. Tuitt is among the fastest defensive ends in the league and pursues plays from the backside and downfield as well as any defensive lineman. Shazier is the fastest inside linebacker in the league. He didn’t run the 40 at the combine because of an injury, but he ran an unofficial 4.36 at his Ohio State pro day. Burns and Davis each ran 4.46 at the combine last year.

Very good points.

Apart from getting key playmakers back or on top form they also glued together very well in the last games. So even if they don't have outstanding players in their secondary they work together well. LB is among best units in the league though. Their OL glued well with each game as well.

Unlike middle of the season this is now legit D, much like the Pats albeit with different character. Pitt is about quickness and speed, Pats is more about power.

These are two best teams in AFC at this point in time, healthy as they could hope for, well balanced, without big weaknesses. Its a matchup fans could only hope for in playoff game. It will come down to matchups, execution and freshness in the 4th Q. You could see Harrison barely breathing in the last part of the game. So lets hope for a clean, complementary football that keeps their D on the field.

And while Pats have medicine for Bell and Brown, Steelers have medicine for Pats quick-pass and spread offence with RB receivers with their quickness and speed at LB. Gronk or the coveted Gronk-Bennett set would be game over for Pats. Without that its pretty even with homefield and BB giving the edge to Pats. But maybe biggest reason for optimism is the decisive red zone play. Here Pats have the edge both on O and D.

Lets go!

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

For some reason Roethlisberger has struggled massively on the road these last couple of years (for his standards).

2015: 6 games, 1850 yards, 70.8% completion, 5 TDs, 9 INTs
2016: 8 games, 1904 yards, 59.36% completion, 9 TDs, 8 INTs

At home he's absolutely killing it, but on the road he is playing like an average QB.

Also, this

 

[JMC00]

They do deserve credit for getting the stop on the two.

Eric Fisher with the huge assist though.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They eyeball test me tells they are fast and hit hard. Tough to measure against a crappy KC offense. Plus BAL shredded them a few weeks ago. So I guess I'm not sold that they are stout

Squealers do what they do. TB12 does very well v this system and typically toys and manipulates younger defensive players.

All they need to do is play well and protect the ball. They are the superior team.

 

[Froob]

Eric Fisher with the huge assist though.

They certainly don't make that call in Denver...

 

[Triumph]

How does he explain the Eli Manning Superbowls?

There are always exceptions to the rule.

 

[long distance]

If Pats match them in time of possession and in moving the chains (Bell makes that almost seamless for Pit) it should be enough with clear red zone adv. Pats.

 

[Le Numéro Douze]

How does he explain the Eli Manning Superbowls?

F-L-U-K-Y! Helmet catch, Welker drop, Samuel not intercepting the ball, Rodney not able to dislodge the ball, Manningham sideline catch.

 

[mihap]

I never liked 38 year old James Harrison, but had a pretty good year played 56% of the Steelers Defensive Snaps this year and had 5 sacks to lead the team...

Wonder if he eats avocado ice cream??

yes, he has special recepie from Peyton manning wife

 

[Minitron]

Their pass rush almost only comes from the edge. Our tackles played fantastic ball the whole season. I think they can hold up juite well. The only player i would be worried about is 6-6, 330 lbs. DE Stephon Tuitt because he can line up inside against Andrews and Thuney to cause problems. On the back end Rookie Sean Davis plays a nice season, other than that i don't see much more noteworthy.

 

[luuked]

The lines aren't a prediction of what Vegas thinks the score differential will be. They are set to encourage betting one way or another, based on how lopsided people are betting on one team. The goal is to make the betting as equal as possible on both sides. This allows Vegas to make money off the over/under spread.

I know. My point still stands that I am surprised it is not around 9.5

 

[ALP]

My Father told me that you go with the best QB in these big games and he is right.

Ben is better than Smith, Rodgers vs Prescott, Ryan vs Wilson, Brady vs Arsewieller.

Therefore, Brady vs Ben and Rodgers vs Ryan

i would argue that this year, and even right now in the post season, no QB is playing better than Ryan, including our own Tom Brady

so i disagree, in the NFC, its Ryan over rodgers next game...aaron was quite innacurate on a lot of passes yesterday, even if he did have some highlight throws as well, it was very hit/miss

 

[RIpats88]

Steelers sacks are predicated on the edge rushers though from what i saw last night.

That doesnt generally bother brady has ge steps up on the pocket.

 

[Kontradiction]

Controlling James Harrison and Bud Dupree will be the order of the day. Do that and Brady will shred the zone all day. This is ideally a game that I would like to have Mitchell back for. He and Hogan on the field together would be massive match up problems for that secondary.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

For some reason Roethlisberger has struggled massively on the road these last couple of years (for his standards).

2015: 6 games, 1850 yards, 70.8% completion, 5 TDs, 9 INTs
2016: 8 games, 1904 yards, 59.36% completion, 9 TDs, 8 INTs

At home he's absolutely killing it, but on the road he is playing like an average QB.

The steelers are probably cheating at home.

 

[stinkypete]

Pittsburgh's defense is kind of a feast or famine unit. They have the athletes to match the great Steelers defenses of a decade ago but lack the consistency or cohesion. IMO, they're relying too much on guys like Bud Dupree or Artie Burns - playmakers who are prone to lapses and giving up big plays - to keep up with the Pats offense for four quarters.