There is something unique about the last three playoff opponents of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A quick browse through the stats provided at NFL.com reveals that the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, as a trio, led the league in the regular season in sacks allowed, as a composite yielding only 1.33 sacks per game. They established themselves as preeminent pass protectors, a large part of the success of their respective seasons.Which makes the postseason rampage of the 'Blitz-burgh' defense so extraordinary. The Steelers have taken the top-knotch protection packages of these three very worthy opponents and turned them to ham-on-swiss, minus the ham, at the rate of 4.0 sacks per game during the playoff stretch.
How bad is that? Well, if you hypothetically transferred this rate to the regular season, they would have been worsted by only the pathetic, record setting Houston Texans at 4.25 sacks per game.
But as we say--stats, schmats. It's all about the matchups.
(Click here to see the article continued...)
The only thing I have to say is, what pass rushes did those teams face?
ReplyDeleteIt'sall about strength of schedule.....I beleive that Indy for instance faced relatively weak defenses. Hence Peyton's numbers and the offenses success, and their subsequent elimination promptly after facing a real
D in Pittsburghs 3-4.
But they do not have our O-line. Or our QB. Trust me, I'm not too worried about Pittsburghs vaunted pass rush.
Vinny,
ReplyDeleteWe had an easier schedule than Indy's. That doesn't look too good as an argument.
And your second comment is a tough sell. They don't have Hasselbeck, they have Manning. Their OL is among the best in the NFL.
C'mon, Vinny, you can do better than that. Are you taking your meds?
Posted by Bluefoot
Vin, you can't have it both ways bud, you cannot say that Pittsburgh is benefitted by S.O.S. then scream and holler about people who want to rip the Seahawks S.O.S.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't you just call it what it is? Pittsburgh has brutalized their opponents throughout the playoffs, and their opponents were terrific. They blitzed to perfection, and got to QB's who other teams had no idea how to get to. How can anyone say otherwise?
Of course I think that Jones and Hutch and Tobeck etc... will fare better against the Stillers than those teams did, but give the devil his due Vin, Pitts has dominated throughout these playoffs, and has a flat out scary pass rush.
Monkey - great breakdown and analysis. I think we'll definitely be tested, but I agree that our O-Line is up to the challenge. Can't wait for gametime!
ReplyDeleteThank god for NFL Network, where I've been mainstreaming Seahawks replays and coverage in the absence of an actual game this week.
Posted by alba
I think you made very good points with the running game, tempo, and decision making on the part of Hass. And while I'm a huge Shawn fan, I think 2 and 3 are really what is gonna be the deciding factor, particularly tempo (which is decided by Hass, so 3 has to be included!) Hass does a lot of protection calling and checking like Manning, 'cept without the chicken dance, but at least as effective. Checking into a hot route, keeping protection in, or checking into a run has been a huge difference this year. And Hass taking sacks or throwing it away safely this year has me cheering, seriously. I cheered last week on a sack and everybody was looking at me like I was crazy. I said "Last year that probably would have been an interception."
ReplyDeleteThey still need to commit to run the ball, but face it, even if the coaches aren't running enough, Hass will check into one that almost always busts out. Guy really stepped it up this year.
Is anyone else feeling kinda funny about Dilfer and his tragic (yet understandable) homerism on NFL network? I mean, it's nice to have someone on our side, but it kinda freaks me out. Oh well, Dilfer for governor. I bet he coaches one day...
Posted by JoSCh
Actually I think that Dilfer is using this to get a jump start on his next career, just like you hinted at JoSCH. Either coaching or broadcasting work, he does it well, but he is quite the homer huh.
ReplyDeleteOh well, like you said, it's about time someone jumps on this bandwagon, we've got ENOUGH media telling us we can't win.
Monkey, congratulations on getting credit from alba for the article. Your reputation has people thinking that every analysis in here comes from you!
ReplyDeleteAlba: You can see it's not his because there are no banana stains.
Posted by Bluefoot
Great work, Bluefoot. I don't really have much else to add, besides WHERE THE HECK is Citizen K? Does anybody else want to know what he liked about the NFC Championship game? I mean, I can guess, but it's just not the same...
ReplyDeleteSorry Bluefoot...just be happy I read the whole thing. I must have seen Monkey's comment and then my brain had a bit shift. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
Totally kidding, no problem.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks for doing that Super Bowl grid, monkey. It's a lot of fun and a great way to get people coming back!!
Posted by Bluefoot
Bluefoot - Monkey's not in right now. He decided to go into the office tonight instead of tomorrow to update the grid! :-)
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
ROFLMOA!
ReplyDeleteI like it in here. Equal opportunity ribbing.
Posted by Bluefoot
Skim-o-rific! It was pretty monkey-ish though, I was actually gonna give you some crap about never posting (not as rare as me, but I comment on everything, plus I can't form a coherent para without using parenthsis), but then I can't mess with the Godfather too much.
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
Good job Bluefoot, that was some good analysis. Uff i'm with ya where the hell is Citizen K, his award blog was my favorite one.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that i think has really changed this year and sometimes gets overlooked is the coaching. The coaching has been terrific. It looks like evryone is listening to the coaches and the coaches aren't blowin it.And with an extra week i think the coaching staff will disect every single blitz that the Steelers ever used. They will be so busy figuring it out that they will create new blitzes that they will pass along to the defensive coaching staff.
I think our boys will be ready to play and will be able to handle the pressure.
People keep talking about the Steelers defense against Seattle's offense but as a defensive player myself I look at it the other way. What does Pittsburgh have that scares ya. They have a good o-line thats the only thing that scares me. I am lookin forward to see how this defense will play. We need to pressure Big Ben he's a really mature second year guy but he's young and you can rattle him.
They say when good defense meets good offense defense wins. Seattle has a good defense, Pittsburgh has a good offense Seattle wins.
Pittsburgh has a good defense Seattle has a great offense Seattle wins.
Honestly the way i see it these two team are matched up eavenly. It will come down to the QB's and who makes the better decisions. Hasselbeck is a veteran who knows exactly what he's doin. Ben Roethlisburger is a second year kid with alot of upside and promise but this is not his year. This is Seattles year.
Posted by meezy
With Hasselbeck's ability to check off at the line, we should be fine. He'll be able to recognize when its coming, check into something else.
ReplyDeleteLook for Engram to be utilized in some screen passes early that could go for some big gains. Jereamy Stevens will also be a factor in lessening the pressure.
Of course, the best way to stop the blitz is to get a lead early.
To be honest, as much as this has been billed as a defensive showcase, I wouldn't be surprised if its a shootout either.
Posted by Alan
You're saying Indy's strength of schedule based on defense was similar to Seattles?
ReplyDeleteI strongly disagree.
Posted by Vinnyhawkalugi
So are you going to just drop that and run, or are you going to back it up, Vinny?
ReplyDeletePosted by Bluefoot
Monkey, you can praise Manning and the rest but IMO (and I'm right a lot more than I'm wrong), the Hawks are far and away the best team the Stealers will face this season.
ReplyDeleteAs usuaul, you aren't showing enough respect for this team the
Hawks fielded this season.
LOL, Vinny, I can't believe you're trolling in your own blog.
ReplyDeletePosted by Bluefoot
Look for the no huddle offense. Our no huddle and short huddle drills are really good and i think they can take the Steelers defense a little off balance.
ReplyDeleteOur no huddle/short huddle offense worked really well and is what got us back in the game against the Cowboys and they are the "only other" 3-4 defense we have faced.
Posted by meezy
Here you go Vinny. When adjusted for the defensive strength of schedule, Indy had the #1 sacks allowed rate in football. Seattle was #9.
ReplyDeleteFootball Outsiders' OL statistics
Let me guess -- you still strongly disagree.
Posted by Bluefoot
I think what it ultimately comes down to is reading and reacting vs. just flat out playing. I think that the Steelers are amazing at coming out with exotic blitzes and rushes that o-linemen aren't prepared for. It comes down to will Walter and co. be able to react to the right situation and see new looks and be able to adjust on the fly to stop the rush. I guess it comes down to how smart are they. I honestly think with the amount they've played together and from what I've seen, this isn't just a collection of good athletes. It's guys that know each other and where the strenghts and weaknesses are. It's time to put those Steeler ho's on lockdown!
ReplyDeletePosted by gumbostu
Well said, gumbo. I think what you said can be accomplished if they stay with the run and keep the protections simple.
ReplyDeleteHere's an interesting link on the topic:
Jim Fassel's take
Posted by Bluefoot
How did I not give enough credit to the Seahawks, when I think they are the best football tea on the planet? Ummm...sometimes Vin, I really wonder about you. I am just giving credit to a team who played in a tougher conference, and beat three AWESOME teams to get here. Not sure how that is dissing the Seahawks, the team I said I think is better and will win.
ReplyDeleteLMAO!!! "LOL, Vinny, I can't believe you're trolling in your own blog. "
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the funniest things I have ever read here, ever!!!
BTW Bluefoot, since alba credited me, (LOL) I will give you double props on this article, one for me and one for him.
ReplyDeleteThis was simply an outstanding article, no more no less! Well done!
Not sure why I have to do this as smart as you all are,but.........
ReplyDeleteDefense rank/pass D rank
Balt-#5/#8
Jax-#6/#7 (scored one TD)
Clev-#17/#4 (scored one TD)
Tenn-#19/#17
SF-#32/#32
StL-#30/#23
Hou-#31/#24
NE-#26/#31
Hou-#31/#24
Cin-#28/#26
Pitt-#4/#16
Tenn-#19/#17
Jax-#6/#7
SD-#13/#28
Sea-#16/#25
Az-#8/#12
I realize that the Hawks season wasn't much better(easier actually), but they didn't pass their way to the SuperBowl. Indy is the Manning Show and as long as that's the case they never get past the Championship Game. Manning just can't beat a great passrush. (Matt'll show ya how it's done.)
I'm sorry, but I'll never buy into the "Peyton Manning is the best QB in the League" stuff.
I'll admit, Mannings a great Leader when there's no pressure, but when forced to hurry, he's just not that good, not as good as Matt, Brady, I could go on but it's a waste of time. The season that O-line fails him is his last.
He'll be a great Head Coach.
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
Vinny, vinny vinny.
ReplyDelete"It's all about strength of schedule.....I beleive that Indy for instance faced relatively weak defenses. "
"You're saying Indy's strength of schedule based on defense was similar to Seattles? I strongly disagree."
"I realize that the Hawks season wasn't much better(easier actually)"
That's all I was looking for. You're freaking spun, dude.
Posted by Bluefoot
I realize it makes no sense, but it's true, the Colts are and have been overrated, Starting with their QB, and this season the "pundits" tried to convince us that they had now fixed their defensive woes. Come to find out they had again faced a very suspect lineup of competition for that D. (they were exposed by the better offenses)
ReplyDeleteI'm just tired of being force fed the media darlings year after year.
Thank God New England and Philly are no where to be seen.
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
No argument there. we've all been saying that the Colts are overrated ad nauseum . Now you're making sense.
ReplyDeleteExcept for the fact that now you say "it makes no sense".
Yeah, you're spun. Freaking. Spun.
Posted by Bluefoot
The key to our success rests on Shaun Alexander's SHOULDERS...Literally.
ReplyDeleteHis feet will be important, as in establishing the run, but we will succeed or fail on his ability to pick up the blitz, and then put a shoulder on the guy long enough for Matt to find the open receiver.
Pittsburgh is not invincible. They lost to NE, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Indy, and Cincinnati, and probably would have lost to the Bengals had Palmer not gotten hurt.
If you call the Baltimore a fluke, the common theme of their other opponents is a VERY balanced offense, and pretty good defense.
Hell, Jon Kitna gave them a run for his money in that playoff game, until the clock struck midnight on his most recent impression of Cinderella, so to quote other boggers here..
I AIN'T SKEERED!
Posted by alba
To be honest, I think the Seahawks match up better against the Stillers than any of the other AFC seedings. I actually glad to be playing them, instead of NE, IND, CIN, DEN and the like.
ReplyDeletePosted by Bluefoot
Like we had a choice?!
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
Yeah, but what you're all forgetting is the single most important factor of the game. Jerome Bettis is playing what will likely be his FINAL game AT HOME!!!!
ReplyDeleteMan, you just can't argue with that.
Posted by Highwatermark
HiH20 - you don't say?
ReplyDeleteJerome is from Detroit? WHO KNEW?
Of course, everyone seems to forget that the Steelers play their home games in Pittsburgh, not Detroit!
Lions fans of all people should have a soft spot in their hearts for our beloved Seahawks!
Posted by alba