12 runs and 32 passes BEFORE the first pick 6

[feltdizz]

How is that even possible when playing the #1 pass defense and the 32nd run defense?

It's like we came into the game with the intent to prove we could pass on them instead of just doing the obvious.

Hopefully we get over ourselves this weekend.

[Eich]

How is that even possible when playing the #1 pass defense and the 32nd run defense?

It's like we came into the game with the intent to prove we could pass on them instead of just doing the obvious.

Hopefully we get over ourselves this weekend.

And I believe that Mike Tomlin said at his press conference that prior to the pick-6, the balance was about how they expected it to be.

[SidSmythe]

Mind Boggling to say the least.

[NorthCoast]

And I believe that Mike Tomlin said at his press conference that prior to the pick-6, the balance was about how they expected it to be.

if this was the plan it's a fail by the HC for approving it. What we will never know is how many audibles checked out of the play call by the QB.
Just maybe it's a case of the HC covering for Bad Ben once again.

[papillon]

Ok, so the Jags were 32nd against the run coming into the game. Based on the running game in the first 4 games of the season why would anyone believe that the Steelers' offensive line was all of a sudden going to give Bell the crease or hole he needs to gain yards rushing the football? On the other hand even against the 32nd ranked rush defense you can't just reverse pivot and hand the ball to your RB and make first downs, the 32nd ranked defense will get a stop on 3rd down at some point. So, that means you're still going to need your QB to make a play on 3rd down to move the sticks. Unfortunately, the Steeler offense isn't really doing any of these things right now, rushing the ball for good yardage on 1st and/or 2nd down and converting 3rd downs into 1st downs.

What I'm seeing is risk taking at the wrong time right now, 3rd and 4, 5 or 6 just get the first down, don't try to surprise anyone with a MB or AB 9 route, get the 1st and move on. It also seems that Ben is getting the ball to play makers but not in a good enough position to turn the catch into a 1st down. It seems I've heard the following commentary quite often this year, "it's 3rd and 6 for the Steelers, Ben is back, hits {insert play-maker name} for 3 yards and he's dropped short of the sticks. The Steeler punt unit is on the field."

The Steelers' offense has also not been able to establish any type of identity in any of the games, they haven't been able to establish the run or the pass and when that doesn't happen they then begin to just call plays to see if anything sticks (Haley). Overall, they just aren't very good right now, maybe it will turn around, maybe it won't, but one thing is for sure, KC is humming right along, the Steelers could very well be at .500 after this weekend.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

Ok, so the Jags were 32nd against the run coming into the game. Based on the running game in the first 4 games of the season why would anyone believe that the Steelers' offensive line was all of a sudden going to give Bell the crease or hole he needs to gain yards rushing the football? On the other hand even against the 32nd ranked rush defense you can't just reverse pivot and hand the ball to your RB and make first downs, the 32nd ranked defense will get a stop on 3rd down at some point. So, that means you're still going to need your QB to make a play on 3rd down to move the sticks. Unfortunately, the Steeler offense isn't really doing any of these things right now, rushing the ball for good yardage on 1st and/or 2nd down and converting 3rd downs into 1st downs.

What I'm seeing is risk taking at the wrong time right now, 3rd and 4, 5 or 6 just get the first down, don't try to surprise anyone with a MB or AB 9 route, get the 1st and move on. It also seems that Ben is getting the ball to play makers but not in a good enough position to turn the catch into a 1st down. It seems I've heard the following commentary quite often this year, "it's 3rd and 6 for the Steelers, Ben is back, hits {insert play-maker name} for 3 yards and he's dropped short of the sticks. The Steeler punt unit is on the field."

The Steelers' offense has also not been able to establish any type of identity in any of the games, they haven't been able to establish the run or the pass and when that doesn't happen they then begin to just call plays to see if anything sticks (Haley). Overall, they just aren't very good right now, maybe it will turn around, maybe it won't, but one thing is for sure, KC is humming right along, the Steelers could very well be at .500 after this weekend.

Pappy

Bell had 144 on the ground last week. Why wouldn't we think our ground game would be able to move the chains vs the Jags?

Of course every play won't be a 12 yard gain but the imbalance before the INT's is mind boggling.

1st and goal at the 5 and we call 3 passes. One was to Bell but damn, maybe that's when we try to run with Bell?

[papillon]

Bell had 144 on the ground last week. Why wouldn't we think our ground game would be able to move the chains vs the Jags?

Of course every play won't be a 12 yard gain but the imbalance before the INT's is mind boggling.

1st and goal at the 5 and we call 3 passes. One was to Bell but damn, maybe that's when we try to run with Bell?

Well, to this point in the season, the rushing outburst versus the Ravens is the anomaly, 35 against the Browns, 91 against the Vikes, 70 against the Bears, 170 something against the Ravens and 70 against the Jags. One game over 100 yards rushing in total. As a defense, you only need one stuff of a running play and you pretty much force the offense into a passing situation which is what the Jags want you to do, if the Steelers had been rushing the ball consistently and effectively over the 1st 4 games, then yea, run it 35-40 times, otherwise you need your QB to make plays on 3rd down and Ben didn't this past weekend. Hopefully, he gets it turned around beginning this weekend.

yea, the 1st and goal play sequence was a bit ridiculous, I would have tried at least two running plays, maybe one of them is the little shovel pass to TE or Bell, but I'd try to get 5 yards rushing it twice. Of course, if the first play is stuffed, can you rush on 2nd and goal from the 5? The 1st play is always key, good positive yards puts you in a good position, a run stuff puts you in a bad position. Of course, 3 incomplete passes is the worst outcome.

Pappy

[NorthCoast]

Do the math. You are talking a total of 44 plays. If Roethlisberger checks out of just 1 in 4 plays (a quite reasonable number) based on looks by the defense that's 11 plays. 32 - 11 = 21 passes; 12 + 11 = 23 designed runs.

whala, a balanced offense

[feltdizz]

Do the math. You are talking a total of 44 plays. If Roethlisberger checks out of just 1 in 4 plays (a quite reasonable number) based on looks by the defense that's 11 plays. 32 - 11 = 21 passes; 12 + 11 = 23 designed runs.

whala, a balanced offense

maybe... but what if Ben checked to the run on 1 out of 4 of those rushing plays? lol

[feltdizz]

Well, to this point in the season, the rushing outburst versus the Ravens is the anomaly, 35 against the Browns, 91 against the Vikes, 70 against the Bears, 170 something against the Ravens and 70 against the Jags. One game over 100 yards rushing in total. As a defense, you only need one stuff of a running play and you pretty much force the offense into a passing situation which is what the Jags want you to do, if the Steelers had been rushing the ball consistently and effectively over the 1st 4 games, then yea, run it 35-40 times, otherwise you need your QB to make plays on 3rd down and Ben didn't this past weekend. Hopefully, he gets it turned around beginning this weekend.

yea, the 1st and goal play sequence was a bit ridiculous, I would have tried at least two running plays, maybe one of them is the little shovel pass to TE or Bell, but I'd try to get 5 yards rushing it twice. Of course, if the first play is stuffed, can you rush on 2nd and goal from the 5? The 1st play is always key, good positive yards puts you in a good position, a run stuff puts you in a bad position. Of course, 3 incomplete passes is the worst outcome.

Pappy

but the 144 was last week. So you would think we would build on it this week vs the worst rushing D in the league. I'm sure most thought we turned the corner after running over the Ravens.

[squidkid]

our coaches are super crafty
they used the 'ol' play into their strength reverse psychology' game plan...............those guys are smarter than the rest of the league..............obviously

[BURGH86STEEL]

There are reasons why fans shouldn't get caught up into rankings. The worse run defense in the league can play like the best run defense in the league. The Steelers run defense could play like the worst run defense in the league or best run defense in the league depending on different factors. Teams can improve and make adjustments from week to week.

Anyway, the Steelers offense moved the ball mostly because of the passing game. Many of the screen passes had success. The inability to score TD's in the red zone hurt the team again. The offense could had run the ball more if they had a bigger lead.

[pittpete]

Haley was going to fool them with his mind games.

[pittpete]

Also heard today that when Bell rushes 25 times or more per game, the Steelers are 10-0......

[Shoe]

Its possible... with 8 and 9 in the box. BUT THEN... (and especially considering a cupboard with AB, MB, JJSS, Lev Bell) you better just shred that coverage out there.