What's your gut telling you

[Shawn]

Re: What's your gut telling you

I'll just re-post what I said in an earlier thread...

The problem with beating the Ravens isnt what we do or dont do on defense. Even last time without getting much pressure on Flacco the Steelers defense still only gave up 17 points. The problem is offense....or offensive philosophy I should say. The Steelers are going to try..even to a point of redundentaly overstating it..to run the football. And I am sorry.....versus the Ravens they can't. They have never been able too run against them and they probably never will be able too. It sucks to have to say this but it is true. The Ravens have long been built to stop the run and they have always been able to do so versus the Steelers. But the Steelers will insist on doing so and will more than likely become stagnent on offense as a result. It's the Steelers mind set...or what they insist is their formula for success. No matter what their personel is they will insist on running the ball. Even when their opponent consistantly stops them and their own personel is better suited for throwing the football.

What they should do is spread the Ravens defense out. Negate their blitz. Make that blitz more recognizable and have to come from a greater distance. More play action on first downs to capitilize on the over aggressive Ravens run blitz. But they wont. They will run on first and second downs without success and then be put in must pass situations. And as a result Ben will be under a heavy pass rush.


Baltimore 23
Pittsburgh 13

I have to agree with you Dee. You do to the Ravens what you don't want other teams to do to the Steelers. These D's are built in a similar fashion with similar strengths and weaknesses. The last thing this Ravens D wants to see is the Steelers come out in 4-5 wide in a 2 minute offense to start the game. Take away their strength and throw at their weakness. Will this happen? Probably not. Would it work? I would bet on it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: What's your gut telling you

I'll just re-post what I said in an earlier thread...

The problem with beating the Ravens isnt what we do or dont do on defense. Even last time without getting much pressure on Flacco the Steelers defense still only gave up 17 points. The problem is offense....or offensive philosophy I should say. The Steelers are going to try..even to a point of redundentaly overstating it..to run the football. And I am sorry.....versus the Ravens they can't. They have never been able too run against them and they probably never will be able too. It sucks to have to say this but it is true. The Ravens have long been built to stop the run and they have always been able to do so versus the Steelers. But the Steelers will insist on doing so and will more than likely become stagnent on offense as a result. It's the Steelers mind set...or what they insist is their formula for success. No matter what their personel is they will insist on running the ball. Even when their opponent consistantly stops them and their own personel is better suited for throwing the football.

What they should do is spread the Ravens defense out. Negate their blitz. Make that blitz more recognizable and have to come from a greater distance. More play action on first downs to capitilize on the over aggressive Ravens run blitz. But they wont. They will run on first and second downs without success and then be put in must pass situations. And as a result Ben will be under a heavy pass rush.


Baltimore 23
Pittsburgh 13

We ran the ball 6 times more than we passed when we played the Ravens with Batch under center this year. Understandable strategy, but unfortunately, we lost by a FG.

We ran the ball 12 times more than we passed when we played the Ravens with Dixon under center last year. Understandable strategy, but unfortunately, we lost by a FG.

We passed the ball 10 times more than we ran when we played the Ravens with Ben under center last year. Understandable strategy, and fortunately, we won by a FG.

I expect us to pass more than we run against Baltimore again like the last time we started Ben against them, provided that Ben's foot holds up, of course. The only way that I see us trying to run more than we pass against them is if we need to rely on Leftwich for an extended period (like we did the last two times we had to play backup QB's against the Ravens...keep it close...try to pull it out in the end).

[AngryAsian]

Re: What's your gut telling you

My feeling is that we've done a great job in containing all the run-happy offenses that our opponents have thrown at us. Ray Rice will not be effective on the ground. Watching the Tampa game this past weekend, their defense was able to contain the Ratbirds, negating every scoring opportunity they had in the second half. The Ratbirds play offense exactly like the Raiders... the only difference is that Flacco is more familiar with our defense than Campbell was. We attack Flacco like we did Campbell and this game is ours. Doushmanzadah and Mason do not get good separation anymore and Boldin is the only beast we have to contain. My big worry is Rice out in the flat. He has above average hands and once he's outside with some room, he could do some damage. We keep Flacco off balance and Rice contained between the tackles, we win this game... I'm not worried about what their defense may present.

[Steelhere10]

Re: What's your gut telling you

My gut tells me to never bet against Ben in big games. Steelers will win and a lot of us will be a lot older when the game is done.

The good news I would never bet against Ben, but the bad news is I would bet against Arians and LEBEAU any day of the week and twice on Sundays! The two will be the only way we lose..With elementary game plans

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: What's your gut telling you

My feeling is that we've done a great job in containing all the run-happy offenses that our opponents have thrown at us. Ray Rice will not be effective on the ground. Watching the Tampa game this past weekend, their defense was able to contain the Ratbirds, negating every scoring opportunity they had in the second half. The Ratbirds play offense exactly like the Raiders... the only difference is that Flacco is more familiar with our defense than Campbell was. We attack Flacco like we did Campbell and this game is ours. Doushmanzadah and Mason do not get good separation anymore and Boldin is the only beast we have to contain. My big worry is Rice out in the flat. He has above average hands and once he's outside with some room, he could do some damage. We keep Flacco off balance and Rice contained between the tackles, we win this game... I'm not worried about what their defense may present.

In 3 out of his last 4 games (Miami, Carolina, Tampa), Anquan Boldin has less than 30 yards in each game and no TD's.

[Dee Dub]

Re: What's your gut telling you

We ran the ball 6 times more than we passed when we played the Ravens with Batch under center this year. Understandable strategy, but unfortunately, we lost by a FG.

We ran the ball 12 times more than we passed when we played the Ravens with Dixon under center last year. Understandable strategy, but unfortunately, we lost by a FG.

We passed the ball 10 times more than we ran when we played the Ravens with Ben under center last year. Understandable strategy, and fortunately, we won by a FG.

I expect us to pass more than we run against Baltimore again like the last time we started Ben against them, provided that Ben's foot holds up, of course. The only way that I see us trying to run more than we pass against them is if we need to rely on Leftwich for an extended period (like we did the last two times we had to play backup QB's against the Ravens...keep it close...try to pull it out in the end).

It doesnt matter how many more times we ran than passed. If if it isn't successful 1 time is too many.

We have not been successful running the ball versus the Ravens. And we wont be Sunday. But yet I promise you the Steelers will attempt to run at least 30 times and as a result they will lose.

I hope I am wrong about the outcome but I am afraid I am right.

[skyhawk]

Re: What's your gut telling you

This team needs to come out early and often in passing the ball. They need to score points. There needs to be a sense of urgency from the get-go in scoring points.

As we saw against the Bills, having success running the ball and controlling the clock really took precedence over scoring. Hence the dominating first half and only a 13-0 lead.

When they need to, they can spread the field and use Ben as a weapon. I suggest they not wait til the fourth quarter to do so. They usually do. If they are still in stubborn run the ball mode, and they get behind by more than 10-14 points, it's too late. This team will be done.

That being said, I think with the trouble's on the Oline (unless they step up), it will be hard to come out and score points early.

Put the ball in Ben's hand, protect him, we win. If not, Ravens have another gift from our stubborn coaching staff.

[fordfixer]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Flippy's gut says "Feed me".

Hopefully the Steelers are as hungry as Flippy.

Sunday should be fine.

Just do us all a favor and don't feed your gut a McRib
23 - 20 Steelers

[flippy]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Flippy's gut says "Feed me".

Hopefully the Steelers are as hungry as Flippy.

Sunday should be fine.

Just do us all a favor and don't feed your gut a McRib
23 - 20 Steelers

But they're so tasty. Although I'm not sure they are an actual rib.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Flippy's gut says "Feed me".

Hopefully the Steelers are as hungry as Flippy.

Sunday should be fine.

Just do us all a favor and don't feed your gut a McRib
23 - 20 Steelers

But they're so tasty. Although I'm not sure they are an actual rib.

The next thing you'll tell me is the sauce on the Big Mac really isn't special!

[flippy]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Its just thousand island dressing and mayo. If that's special to you....

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Its just thousand island dressing and mayo. If that's special to you....

[fordfixer]

Re: What's your gut telling you

Its just thousand island dressing and mayo. If that's special to you....

He said "Its just thousand island dressing and mayo. If that's special to you...."