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Mile High Clubbing

Steelers / Broncos

Steelers / Broncos

Okay, so it wasn’t really a clubbing. I just had to use that headline. The Steelers looked pretty good against a strong Denver Broncos’ team. My guess was 21 -13. So I wasn’t so far from the mark. This makes Sunday’s game against the Bengals huge. I get the sense that Cincy’s defeat of Pittsburgh boosted their confidence to create the season they’re having now. The Steelers now have a chance to deflate the Bengals and Ochocinco.

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By Jack – November 9, 2009

Woodley = Sacking Machine

Steelers / Broncos

Steelers / Broncos

The Denver Daily News said it best, “with a Pro Bowl quarterback in “Big” Ben Roethlisberger who is a not only the definition of clutch, but who is a big, agile beast who is a nightmare for every defense he faces.” I see this coming down to the quarterbacks and Big Ben wins out. Look for Lamarr Woodley to have a big game. He’s facing off against a Denver rookie in his first NFL start. Woodley could be a sacking machine tonight. As long as our special teams hold up their end, we win easily. This is a huge game for both teams. The Bengals are pressuring the Steelers and the Chargers have the Broncos looking in the rear view mirror in the divisional race. Even though I think it may be more of a margin, I’m sticking with my earlier call Steelers 21 Denver 13.

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By Jack – November 9, 2009

Thin Air, Thinner D?

Steelers / Broncos

Steelers / Broncos

Two of the NFL’s brightest young coaches face off Monday night when Mike Tomlin’s Steelers travel to Denver to meet up with Josh McDaniels’ surprising Broncos. The Broncs have surprised everyone with their response to young Josh’s rookie year coaching in the NFL. You just cannot argue with results.

I think the big question is the Steelers’ Defensive End spot. Of course there is Ryan Clark. He almost died last time he played in the Mile High City. I think it’s a safe bet that he’ll sit this one out. I just don’t see them taking the chance of a repeat or worse.

Add to the Clark situation the weakness at defensive end. Aaron Smith is out for the season and his backup, Travis Kirschke (for at least a couple weeks). Rookies Ziggy Hood and Sunny Harris are being thrown into the deep end. No easing into the league for these guys. Sink or swim this week. They won’t be starting this week but will get lots of play time in Denver’s thin air. The starting spot probably goes to Eason, who oddly enough had been dropped by the Steelers earlier this season. Sunny Harris was also released earlier this year. He landed on Carolina’s practice squad, only to be signed up later due to injuries. We’ll probably see Chris Hoke move from nose tackle to defensive end for a few downs.

All in all the defensive line should be okay. Just a lot more shallow than the Steelers are accustomed to. Big Ben does well in prime time. Steelers 21 Denver 13.

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By Jack – November 5, 2009

Jailbirds and Vikings

Steelers on TMZ

Steelers on TMZ

It’s been a very strange week in Steelerland. The Steelers beat the Browns but I couldn’t help feeling like it should have been more of a rout. The Steelers always seem to play up to or down to their opposition. While I never felt like the win was in jeopardy it was never a real stomping. There were quarters in previous games this season that seemed to be all one sided. There just weren’t any of those. Maybe it’s better to play on an even keel but I was really hoping for a runaway romp. We need one of those.

Jeff Reed and Matt Spaeth ended up both in the police blotter and TMZ.com. Neither is ever a good place to show up. As much as I like Reed, it’s time he grows up. He’s a thirty year old man. He’s not a 21 year old rookie out for a party. At some point this should all become embarrassing for him. Spaeth is around 26. Closer to the partier age than Reed but still old enough to know better. Urinating in a parking lot? Really? I’ve never been to a bar in Pittsburgh that didn’t have a men’s room. Enough on that topic. In the end it’s not that big a deal. This does not help Reed’s contract renewal situation at all.

The upcoming Viking game should be huge. The first of two contests against previously unbeaten opponents. On paper it looks like the Steelers should win fairly handily. They lead almost every important stat by a significant margin. Take a look at these:

Overall defense Steelers are 3rd in the NFL allowing an average of 275 yards per game.

The Vikes are 18th in the league allowing an average of 374 yards per game.

Passing Defense Steelers allow around 200 yards / game

Vikes give up 248 yards per game

Rushing Defense Steelers allow 75 yards / game

Vikings give up 93.5 yards per game

The offensive stats are much the same:

Total offense The Steelers average 404 / game (5th in the NFL)

Minnesota averages 348 and is 13th in the league

Passing yards Pittsburgh is 2nd in the league with 297 yards per games

Minnie is 17th in the league averaging 223 per game

Rushing yards Minnesota is 9th in the NFL averaging 125 / game

Steelers average 107 per game for a 15th ranking

The rushing yardage for the Steelers may be skewed because of their early dismal rushing performances.

I think the stats and the home field give the Steelers the edge here. I do not think this will be as close as most people believe. The current book has the Steelers favored by 3 1/2 points. I see this being a Steeler win by 10 to 14 points. The Steelers defense will shut down the Minnesota rushing game and Troy and Company will shut Favre down. A big day and turning point for the Steelers. Sure to be worth the price of admission.

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By Jack – October 20, 2009

Defensive Turmoil

Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu

The loss of Troy Polamalu has proven to be costly to the Steel Curtain defense. Without Troy’s energy and skills they became mediocre and lackluster. They did what they had to do, some of the time. With the confirmed loss of Aaron Smith from the lineup for the balance of the season it looks like we should be pushing to get Troy some time in Sunday’s game against Cleveland. . If he’s ready, of course. I previously was an advocate of keeping him on the bench for the Cleveland exhibition. However, without Smith in the lineup they need Polamalu to be sharp for Minnesota next week. With the addition of Sonny Harris to the lineup and with Ziggy Hood the defense should be okay, if Troy is back. At least they have some depth this season. It would be a much different story if Troy was not soon returning. It will be interesting to see if Ziggy Hood can get himself up to NFL status. Luckily, all of this won’t play much of an impact against Cleveland. Looking ahead to Minny and Denver is daunting and a sharp Troy Polamalu is imperative. Look for a big win over the Little Sisters of the Poor, err ah Cleveland.

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By Jack – October 14, 2009

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