WEEK 3: STEELERS - COLTS

              

  

This could be an interesting game for the Steelers. I say "could" because Kerry Collins has been effective against them before. However, that was with the Tennessee Titans. This week the Indianapolis Colts are not even yesteryear's Titans. In Week 1 they were crushed by the Houston Texans, a team I have been picking to do well for at least the last three seasons, and in Week 2 they lost to none other than the Cleveland Browns AT HOME. This year I think the Texans ARE legitimately good (the Steelers have to play at Houston next week) and the Browns are improving. 

Collins passed for just under 200 yards in each game but is 27th is passer rating at 71.4. Their primary runner, Joseph Addai, rushed for only 39 yards against the Texans and could manage only 64 yards against Cleveland. The Texan's defense is above average but the jury is still out concerning the quality of Cleveland's.

Ben Roethlisberger is passing for just under 290 yards per game but his rating is only 79.4 due to 3 interceptions, all against the Ravens in the Week 1 debacle; to go with 2 lost fumbles. There hasn't been much talk this week about Ben's knee injury so I'm assuming no news is good news.

The big stat is the Steelers are still looking for their first takeaway having given up a total of 7 this year already, all against the Ravens. Last season, the Steelers were second in the AFC in takeaways with 35; something that has got to change if they want to at least win their division. I think this week Troy Polamalu will provide at least one after having dropped a sure "pick-six" last week.

Unfortunaely for the Colts their woes will continue as their defense is just not strong enough to handle the WR speed the Steelers showed against Seattle. A similar game plan is indicted against the Colts as was used against Seattle with a mix of more no-huddle offense. 


The defense should get at least two takeaways which will be enough to overcome the Colts. The Steeler D probably won't pitch a shutout this week but should get close to one as a big win is needed prior to travelling to Houston next week in what could be a siginificant turning point in the Texans season. The only thing that may make is close is the knowledge that another loss would essentially end the Colts hopes for 2011.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 27 COLTS 7

GAME 2 Steelers- Seahawks

This game went pretty much as I expected. I picked the spread 24 but not the final score although the shutout was probably better for defensive morale. Besides this is probably one of the worst teams in the NFL.


The hit on Roethlisberger precipitated by blog to change some of the NFL rules (see September 19) and I hope it woke up the right side of the line. I'm sure Tomlin took the opportunity to say something about it at halftime. Although he returned for the second half (with only one offensive TD) we'll see how he progresses during the week.

The score could have been much worse as the Steelers failed to score from within the five once, Troy dropped a certain pick-six and Suisham missed at the open end of the field which was predictable based on the difference in the kickoff distances between the two ends of the field.


Didn't here James Harrison's name called much, again. Troy got into it a little (see above) and Jame Farrior was again replaced by Larry Foote. There was also a lot of substitution on the D-Line throughout the game. But a shutout is a shutout nonetheless.

  

Slant and crossing patterns were effective as Wallace, Brown and Sanders all looked good. Hines made a nifty catch at the sideline on a perfect throw from Ben.They pulled out one gadget play and Sanders hit Ward perfectly.

Mendenhall and Redman both rand effectively although I think Redman should be used more inside the 5 yard line. And the O-Line looked pretty good, especially compared to last week.

  

Tomlin wasted a challenge on the stop near the goal line. He could use the challenge more and definitely more EFFECTIVELY. Who's spotting the plays for him upstairs anyway? THEY sure could improve.


Based on missed offensive opportunities, lack of significant plays by some players and the opponent

OVERALL RATING: OFFENSE B- / DEFENSE B 

NFL RULES CHANGES -- PROTECTING QBs AND D-LINEMEN

After watching games this past week the following rules changes are in order. But first I have to say: Goodell, cut the crap and start protecting ALL players! Ready?

1. NO "chop" blocking of D-Lineman PERIOD! That could even go as far as no blocking below the waist at the line of scrimmage.

[No images of chop blocks available. I wonder why not?]

2. NO arms around the QBs head/neck when tackling him in the pocket. Vick took a good shot like this last night. Roethlisberger gets it all the time (probably the LEAST protected QB in the league just because he's "big" and can "take it."

3. Here's the big one--A "Match Penalty" (automatic ejection) for hitting the QB below the knees in the pocket. NO EXCEPTIONS; WITH a hefty fine starting at $100,000 if the QB isn't injured; plus SUSPENSION if he is. If the Steelers are being "forced" to play differently (well they WERE the poster children for head hits, weren't they?) then EVERYBODY ELSE needs to play differently as well and save the most vulnerable, and usually least replaceable, member of the team, the QB.

4. The "Offsetting Penalties" rule(s) need to be changed. If penalties are "differentiated" by "severity" with the amount of yardage penalized, then they should be also "differentiated" instead of "offset." E.g., with say a defensive offside penalty and an offensive holding penalty are committed on the same play the holding penalty should be enforced instead of "offset."  There are distinctions made but not across the board.  Change it. I'm tired of seeing plays that produce "no result."

I rest my case.