Steelers vs Ravens: Overtime rewind

• The Steelers won the coin toss and chose to receive to start overtime
• Mendenhall on two carries gets the first down.
• Dennis Dixon throws the ball deep to Mike Wallace but out of bounds
• Steelers punt the ball out of bounds to the Ravens
• The Ravens go three and out and punt to the Steelers
• Dennis Dixon throws an interception on 3^rd down and the Ravens return the ball 20 yards.  Ravens are already in field goal range and are about ready to kick a field goal to win the game in overtime.
• On 3^rd down, Ray Rice runs for a 1^st down.  The Ravens have only a 32 yard field goal to win the game.
• Ray Rice runs the ball again for another first down
• The Ravens kick a field goal to win the game.

Score: Ravens 20 Steelers 17

Steelers vs Ravens: 4th quarter rewind

• c has really struggled so far in the 4th quarter
• The Steelers punt coverage unit almost gave up a touchdown.  According to the reply, it looks like several blocks in the back occurred.
• Lawrence Timmons blitzed up the middle and caused a Flacco fumble
• Steelers have very good field position
• Rashard Mendenhall has run very, very hard in this game.  He has shown a great burst of speed, power, and a nice spin move.  Very impressive considering the Ravens run defense.
• With 7 minutes left, Dennis Dixon scores a touchdown on a QB draw.  Dennis Dixon was in the shotgun formation and make a reverse to Mike Wallace.  Dixon ran the ball to the right side and received a very nice block from Mewelde Moore that led him to the end zone.  Very nice call by Bruce Arians.
• Ray Rice called for tripping on 2nd down.  The Steelers accepted and made it 2nd and 19.  The Steelers then held on 3rd down by stopping Ray Rice on a screen pass.
• Ravens just converted a huge 4th down by Ray Rice.  For some reason James Farrior was 1:1 with Ray Rice and it was a complete mismatch.  Ray Rice caught the pass and ran it 60 yards to the Steelers 10 yard line.  Several Steelers missed tackles.  Lawrence Timmons tackled one of his own players who was in great position to make a tackle.
• The Steelers hold on 3^rd and goal.  The Ravens kick a field goal and tie the score 17-17 with 2 minutes left in the 4^th quarter.
• Dennis Dixon almost threw an interception on 2^nd down.  Consequently, the Steelers run the ball on 3^rd down.  A 3 and out for the Steelers
• Steelers punt the ball and the Ravens almost return it for ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN.  Will MIKE TOMLIN OR THE ST COACH EVER FIX THE SPECIAL TEAMS.  This is getting a bit ridiculous.
• A 24-yard pass interference call on Ike Taylor with 1 minute remaining in the game.
• The Steelers caused a last second fumble. The Ravens field goal unit and rushed a last second field goal which comes up about 2 yards short.

Score: 17-17

Steelers vs Ravens: 2nd quarter rewind

• Dennis Dixon has play well thus far with limited opportunities.  Dixon throw a nice roll-out pass and the followed up with a nice play action TD pass to Santonio Holmes
• Steelers continue to have success with running the ball with both Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker
• Ravens are giving the Steelers a heavy dose of McGahee, Rice, and fullback McClain
• William Gay continues to get abused
• William Gay and Ryan Clark get beat on a 50 yard pass play
• Ike Taylor gives up a touchdown on a fade pattern
• Steelers coaching staff goes overly conservative with 1:45 left in the 2nd quarter with consecutive running plays.  The offense gets close to the 50 yard line and runs out the clock.  The Steelers had plenty of time to try to gain around 30 yards to try a field goal.  A very disappointing decision by the Steelers coaching staff.

Steelers vs Ravens: 1st quarter rewind

• William Gay got torched several times on the Ravens’ first drive
• Willis McGahee scored the opening touchdown for the Ravens
• Bruce Arians is being overly conservative with Dennis Dixon
• Timmons caught out of position on a long Ray Rice run
• Ziggy Hood getting a good pass rush
• Steelers having success running the ball with Rashard Mendenhall

Score: Ravens 7 Steelers 0W

Fantasy Focus: Steelers vs Chargers

This week kicks off another entry of our fantasy football prediction blog.  The Pittsburgh Steelers play at home for the first time since the NFL opener against the Tennessee Titans.  This is a must-win for the Steelers in order to keep up with the division leaders, Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens are currently up 2 games on a struggling Steelers team and the Steelers are looking to rebound against a very talented San Diego team after losing two close games in which they should have won convincingly.  Here is a list of fantasy football matchups that you may want to consider:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben is going to have to come through against San Diego’s solid defensive front.  Even with the loss of Jamal Williams, the Chargers defense is loaded with playmakers.  However, Ben plays his best against good competition in prime time moments.  I expect more of the same from Big Ben.  Ben will put up 30 points on this

Chargers defense, at home, in primetime and display to the NFL why he is an elite quarterback in this league

Ben Roethlisberger Jersey and other Steelers Apparel

Mike Wallace – Wallace has been the only pleasant surprise for the Steelers this year.  He caught the most passes of any Steelers receiver last week totaling over 100 yards.  Wallace is a mismatch waiting to happen at the #3 spot.  He’s got amazing speed and quickness and hasn’t dropped a pass this season.  During the NFL draft, Wallace’s stock fell because scouts said his hands were suspect at best.  I don’t see that with this young kid, however I can’t say the same for Limas Sweed.

Mike Wallce Jersey and other Steelers Apparel

Heath Miller – Miller is “Mr. Dependable”.  He always seems to do his job and do it well.  He has great hands and is a good blocker.  He “seals the edge” when lined up as a tight end and does surprisingly well when lined up as a fullback.  Last week, he was dominant on the first couple of drives as a receiving tight end.  But for some reason, offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians stopped designing plays to go to Miller.

Arians has been heavily criticized by Steelers fans and rightfully so.  Why would he not get Miller more involved in

this offense?

Heath Miller Jersey and other Steelers Apparel

Rashard Mendenahll – This is a “dark horse” pick.  Per Mike Tomlin, Mendnenall didn’t play one snap last week because he didn’t feel comfortable that Mendenhall knew his assignments (i.e. he failed the weekly written game plan test).  We need Mendenhall to step up now and I think he’ll show-off some of his talent this week (IF HE ACTUALLY RECEIVES PLAYING TIME).

Rashard Mendenhall Jersey and other Steelers Apparel

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers – Rivers was expected to be an MVP candidate this year.  He has loads of talent and is surrounded by talent. This could be a shootout-type game resulting in a classic Rivers vs Big Ben show down.  I expect both quarterbacks to put up good numbers this game.  With the Steelers pash rush less than desirable, Rivers could be in for a big game.

Antonio Gates –  Gates is in for a big game against this struggling defense.  With Polamalu out with an injury, the Steelers don’t have a good solution for the All-Pro tight end.  Lawrence Timmons has the speed and athleticism to cover Gates but it will be a challenge as is for any linebacker in the NFL.

Darren Sproles – Sproles is the type of running back the Steelers always have trouble with.  He has great cutback ability (i.e. Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew) and has acceleration through the hole.  He’s also difficult to find behind a massive San Diego offensive line at 5-8 185 pounds.  Sproles might be most dangerous as a kick-off returner.  The Steelers special teams and defense must stay in their lanes and play disciplined football or Sproles could take one to the house on any given play.

Discuss at the Planet Steelers Forum

Polamalu Seals AFCCG

Troy Polamalu comes up with big play after big play.  Sundays AFC Championship game against the hated division rivals, Baltimore Ravens was no different.

Polamalu finished the day with 5 tackles, 4 solos, and of course the game clinching 40-yard interception for a touchdown with only 4 minutes to play. 

However, it seemed that Troy made more plays than what the above statistics show.  Polamalu had one of his best games of the season and showed no signs of his calf strain injury that kept him sidelined for most of this past week’s practices.  He was simply all over the field.

Three plays really displayed why he’s one of the best safeties in the league:

1) His display of closing speed when Ravens, rookie QB, Joe Flacco rolled out to his left.  Polamalu closed in an instant to register a sack and a Ravens 10 yard loss on the play.  Polamalu displayed why his closing speed, athleticism, and tackling ability is much talked about by NFL analysts.

2) Polamalu’s play on 4th and short.  With his 40+ inch vertical leap, Polamalu leaped over the offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens to grab Flacco and prevent him from picking up a short yardage first down.  A critical play for the Steelers and Polamalu showed unbelievable athleticism.

3) His interception return for a touchdown that “sealed the deal” for the Steelers.  Flacco completely didn’t see Troy Polamalu breaking on the ball from the opposite direction.  Troy read the rookie QB’s eyes and made a great jump on the ball and an even nicer catch.  Then, of course the rest is history.  Polamalu made a few guys miss and returned the interception for a 40-yard touchdown which sealed the victory for the Steelers with just under 5 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.

If Polamalu can have a similar game in the Super Bowl, he can possily “seal the deal” on his future Hall of Fame bid for the National Football League.

Steelers-Ravens Weather Conditions

Dress warmly Steeler fans.  The current temperature in Pittsburgh is 25 degrees with a wind chill of 15 degrees.  Expect the temperature to drop significantly as game-time approaches.  As displayed earlier today on ESPN, there is a good bit of snow at Heinz Field.  It appears that the field will be cleared of all snow by game time but expect snow flurries (per weather.com) later this evening in the mass of 1-3 inches.

The National Weather Service has issue a winter weather advisory for the Pittsburgh area.  For details, click here.

Expect Heinz Field to be a bit sloppy with these weather conditions and the wetness of its natural grass turf.

Who does this favor?  Well, its difficult to say.  I think the bad weather and field conditions will favor the Baltimore Ravens defense both against stopping the run and offensively, running the football.  Fast Willie Parker has struggled with cut-back ability at Heinz Field when conditions are bad.  In contrast, the Ravens have more success playing power football with the run game with north-south runners Ray Rice, and LeRon McClain at tailback.

However, if the Steelers can stop the running game of the Ravens, I feel this will put tremendous pressure on rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco.  This will allow a Steelers attacking defense to blitz the inexperienced QB.

While the bad weather may be a negative for the Steelers running attack, the passing game shouldn’t struggle too much.  The Ravens secondary is beat up and if given the time to throw the ball, Ben Roethlisberger should be successful.  The wide receivers know their routes which give them the slight advantage while the defense could “slip up” (literally) on the grass at Heinz Field.  Let’s hope the offense play calling by Bruce Arians can take advantage of these situations.

Steelers-Ravens Gameplan

Offense

The Steelers offense needs to be at the top of their game today versus the Ravens. The key to the Steelers is easy. They need to convert on critical third downs and do not, under any circumstances, turn the ball over. If the Steelers don’t turn the ball over, I believe they win this game. The Titans should have won last week against the Ravens, but turnovers was the deciding factor.

I expect the Steelers to open up the game in a spread offense. The Steelers should spread the Baltimore Ravens defense out with 4 and 5 wide receivers. The Ravens secondary is a bit beat up with Rolle out so this could result in Nate Washington having a big game.  This will neutralize the Ravens’ heavy blitzing and make a tough defense respect the Steelers passing game. The Steelers offense should not play conservative and tight. This will play right into the Ravens defensive plans which will make this game a much closer game than what it could be. Heath Miller and Mewelde Moore should pose significant receiving threats to the Ravens. Also, the offensive line will be a huge matchup against the Ravens imposing defensive front. The Steelers offensive line played their best game against the San Diego Chargers a week ago, but the Ravens are a much better and more aggressive defense. If Hartwig, Colon, Starks and company can keep Big Ben clean then the Steelers should be successful at Heinz Field today.

Defense

The #1 Steelers defense must play opportunistic football today at Heinz Field. The Steelers are relatively healthy today and will pose a huge challenge to the Baltimore’s rookie QB, Joe Flacco. Dick Lebeau will try to confuse Flacco will different defensive looks. Per ESPN, the Steelers defense are going into this game with over 100 defensive plays at their disposal. The Steelers defense must shut down the Ravens running attack early and often. This will put the game on Joe “cool” shoulders which is exactly what the Steelers want. If McClain and Ray Rice have success running the football, the Steelers could be in for a long frustrating day.

Expect Troy Polamalu to be all over the field again today. Troy will start things off supporting the run defense as being an ‘extra’ in the box. Then, he’ll drop back into a zone on obvious passing downs. Also, it is absolutely critical that LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison can get to Flacco today. Last game, the Steelers had trouble getting to the quarterback without sending more defenders than what the Ravens could block. This could expose our secondary and Flacco has the offensive line and the strong arm to make the Steelers defense pay for their mistakes. It is very important that the Steelers pass rush is at their best today. This will make Flacco make quick and possible poor decisions which could result in turnovers. Turnovers which will hopefully result in points in favor of the Steelers.

Predictions

Turnovers is the name of today’s game. If the Steelers o-line can protect Big Ben and give Willie Parker some room to run then I expect the Steelers to be victorious. If not, the Steelers could be in for a long and disappointing afternoon. The same goes for the Ravens, if the Steelers can stop the run, and get to Flacco early and often then the Steelers will have an excellent chance of winning today’s game. I am going to be optimistic in this prediction but I feel the Steelers win: 27-17.

Offensive Player Of The Game: Hines Ward

Defensive Player Of The Game: LaMarr Woodley

Steeler Mania

Pittsburgh Steelers mania has started in the the ‘Burgh this week with the Ravens coming to down for the AFC Championship showdown.

Leading up to the big game there has been several things which is adding extra fuel to the fire for tomorrows smash mouth game including:

1) Injury reports of Rolle, Suggs, Polamalu, and Hartwig
2) Trash talking  can be found everywhere including between players, fans, bloggers, and and team forums
3) Steelers Rally
4) The major of Pittsburgh temporarily changing his name in order to remove the ‘Raven’ reference

And to get the fans fired up for tomorrows game, check out some of these popular items posted on the Planet Steelers forum.

Here we Go Steelers, Let’s RUN OVER those Rat Birds:

Baltimore Ravens Fans Yapping

Is it just me or is there an aweful lot of Baltimore Ravens fans and players yapping.  It all started a couple of weeks ago when a big mouth Baltimore blogger makes unnecessary comments about the terrible towel.  If you haven’t heard about it, please check out the Planet Steelers forum where it has been discussed numerous times.

There is several other instances of trash talk going on.  How about the comments about the Primani Brothers sandwiches as reported by KDKA.  Then, theres Derrick Mason plastered on the television talking trash.  Oh, and how about cry baby Ray Lewis still whining about the Santonio Holmes touchdown.  As indicated, all Ray Ray wanted is for “4th down”.  Hey Ray, what makes you so confident that you would have stopped us on 4th down anyway?

In conclusion, Is this what the Raven’s fans, bloggers, etc have to resort to?  I know Baltimore doesn’t have any tradition but that doesn’t give them the right to bash Pittsburgh trademarks.  Actually, I take that back, the Ravens tradition is that they are, and will always be the Cleveland Browns.  Thats right Baltimore, your still the same loser Browns team.  You just moved from one subpar city, to another.

All in all, this game is shaping up to be one for the ages.  What else could you expect out of Ravens vs. Steelers, Round 3.

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Hundereds of Steelers Tickets are available through Planet Steelers.