fordfixer
10-04-2009, 01:13 AM
Steelers Game 4 Matchup: vs. Chargers
Gerry Dulac breaks down the prime time matchup
Sunday, October 04, 2009
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/1002893-66.stm
Receiver Mike Wallace is expected to see increased action after his 102-yard receiving game vs. Cincinnati.
Game plan
When the Chargers have the ball: QB Philip Rivers had three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games at Heinz Field last season, but he was never able to continually get the ball to his tall WRs, Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson, though Jackson had a 41-yard TD catch in the playoff game. He was forced into a lot of checkdown throws because of the pressure from OLBs LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, who have combined for only one sack this season. Jackson has been Rivers' big-play target, catching 16 passes for 317 yards. Even with Troy Polamalu in the lineup, Chargers TE Antonio Gates is a difficult matchup for the secondary. Without Polamalu, he's even more of a problem.
When the Steelers have the ball: They had success running Willie Parker in the first half against Cincinnati, something they were able to do in the playoff victory against the Chargers, as well. But Parker did not practice all week (turf toe), and he will not play tonight. Look for the Steelers to try to take advantage of the middle of the Chargers' defense, which is without NT Jamal Williams. They will also be without OLB Shawne Merriman (groin), which should hurt their ability to pressure Ben Roethlisberger. But the Chargers will use their CBs, Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie, in a lot of single coverage when they try to blitz Roethlisberger.
Keep an eye on
RB/KR Darren Sproles: At 5-foot-6, 185 pounds, he is only slighter larger than Steelers return specialist Stefan Logan, who is 5-6, 180 pounds. Sproles ranks No. 1 in the AFC with a 29.9-yard kick-return average; Logan is second at 29.4 yards. Sproles has started the past two games because of injury to RB LaDainian Tomlinson and likely will do so again. In the playoff game last season at Heinz Field, he had a 63-yard kickoff return and a 62-yard catch-and-run for touchdown. He already has an 81 catch-and-run for TD this season.
The Chargers have never won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh (0-13) and lost twice to the Steelers at Heinz Field last season, including the AFC divisional playoff game, 35-24. They are 2-1 in playoff games here, winning in 1982 and 1994. The Steelers are coming off back-to-back road losses for the first time since the 2006 season, but they have won seven consecutive home games, including playoffs, dating to last season.
Keys to victory
To win, the Chargers must ...
1. Get action from Jackson. He is the WR who makes big plays. The Steelers will try to slow him by assigning CB Ike Taylor to follow him.
2. Kneel on Harrison. LT Marcus McNeill had trouble handling OLB James Harrison, who had 2 sacks and an INT against them last year.
3. Be hard Rashard. Rashard Mendenhall will start and get a chance to gouge a rush defense that rank 26th in the NFL.
To win, the Steelers must ...
1. Don't let Rivers flow. They have only five sacks in three games and have to do more than just pressure the Chargers' QB; they have to hit him.
2. Keep the Gates closed: Might have to use ILB Lawrence Timmons to cover Gates. CB Deshea Townsend will replace Tyrone Carter as the strong safety in all packages.
3. Prevent jolts from Bolts. Defense has not held 7- and 11-point leads in fourth quarter of past two games.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/10 ... z0SwPUplLh (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/1002893-66.stm#ixzz0SwPUplLh)
Gerry Dulac breaks down the prime time matchup
Sunday, October 04, 2009
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/1002893-66.stm
Receiver Mike Wallace is expected to see increased action after his 102-yard receiving game vs. Cincinnati.
Game plan
When the Chargers have the ball: QB Philip Rivers had three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games at Heinz Field last season, but he was never able to continually get the ball to his tall WRs, Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson, though Jackson had a 41-yard TD catch in the playoff game. He was forced into a lot of checkdown throws because of the pressure from OLBs LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, who have combined for only one sack this season. Jackson has been Rivers' big-play target, catching 16 passes for 317 yards. Even with Troy Polamalu in the lineup, Chargers TE Antonio Gates is a difficult matchup for the secondary. Without Polamalu, he's even more of a problem.
When the Steelers have the ball: They had success running Willie Parker in the first half against Cincinnati, something they were able to do in the playoff victory against the Chargers, as well. But Parker did not practice all week (turf toe), and he will not play tonight. Look for the Steelers to try to take advantage of the middle of the Chargers' defense, which is without NT Jamal Williams. They will also be without OLB Shawne Merriman (groin), which should hurt their ability to pressure Ben Roethlisberger. But the Chargers will use their CBs, Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie, in a lot of single coverage when they try to blitz Roethlisberger.
Keep an eye on
RB/KR Darren Sproles: At 5-foot-6, 185 pounds, he is only slighter larger than Steelers return specialist Stefan Logan, who is 5-6, 180 pounds. Sproles ranks No. 1 in the AFC with a 29.9-yard kick-return average; Logan is second at 29.4 yards. Sproles has started the past two games because of injury to RB LaDainian Tomlinson and likely will do so again. In the playoff game last season at Heinz Field, he had a 63-yard kickoff return and a 62-yard catch-and-run for touchdown. He already has an 81 catch-and-run for TD this season.
The Chargers have never won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh (0-13) and lost twice to the Steelers at Heinz Field last season, including the AFC divisional playoff game, 35-24. They are 2-1 in playoff games here, winning in 1982 and 1994. The Steelers are coming off back-to-back road losses for the first time since the 2006 season, but they have won seven consecutive home games, including playoffs, dating to last season.
Keys to victory
To win, the Chargers must ...
1. Get action from Jackson. He is the WR who makes big plays. The Steelers will try to slow him by assigning CB Ike Taylor to follow him.
2. Kneel on Harrison. LT Marcus McNeill had trouble handling OLB James Harrison, who had 2 sacks and an INT against them last year.
3. Be hard Rashard. Rashard Mendenhall will start and get a chance to gouge a rush defense that rank 26th in the NFL.
To win, the Steelers must ...
1. Don't let Rivers flow. They have only five sacks in three games and have to do more than just pressure the Chargers' QB; they have to hit him.
2. Keep the Gates closed: Might have to use ILB Lawrence Timmons to cover Gates. CB Deshea Townsend will replace Tyrone Carter as the strong safety in all packages.
3. Prevent jolts from Bolts. Defense has not held 7- and 11-point leads in fourth quarter of past two games.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/10 ... z0SwPUplLh (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09277/1002893-66.stm#ixzz0SwPUplLh)