Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

[SteelAbility]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

I have to disagree with your list. All of those defenses have issues as well.

Every defense does this year. There is no clear cut best D out there.

So if our D plays their game and the O doesn't take the foot off the gas we are as good as any team in the league.

I put MIN in that list mistakenly. Other than that, every single team in that list has given up less than we have. We have given up 128 points (35 on INTs and STs)

Denver 66 (in 6 games ... extrapolate out to 77)
IND 77 (6 games ... 89.3 pace for 7 games)
NE 98 (7 games)
NYJ 104 (7 games) How'd this D fair against the best O in the league, New Orl?
GB 96 (6 games ... 122 pace for 7 games)

[SteelAbility]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

By the way, MIN has given up 148 points. However, they have given up ...

PR for TD (Josh Cribbs)
TD to Browns (in total garbage time)
Blocked Punt returned for TD (SF)
AP fumble returned for TD (GB)
TD to Rams (in total garbage time up 31-3 late in the game)
2 TDs to Steelers (fumble returned and INT returned)

That's 49 points. Meaning that their D gave up 113 total points (148 - 49 + 14 from garbage time TDs), 99 meaningful points. Our D has given up 93 points (all meaningful). This makes them about equal to our D. So, I would say MIN at least belongs in the "arguably about equal" list.

[JTP53609]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

I have to disagree with your list. All of those defenses have issues as well.

Every defense does this year. There is no clear cut best D out there.

So if our D plays their game and the O doesn't take the foot off the gas we are as good as any team in the league.

I put MIN in that list mistakenly. Other than that, every single team in that list has given up less than we have. We have given up 128 points (28 on INTs and STs)

Denver 66 (in 6 games ... extrapolate out to 77)
IND 77 (6 games ... 89.3 pace for 7 games)

NE 98 (7 games)
NYJ 104 (7 games) How'd this D fair against the best O in the league, New Orl?
GB 96 (6 games ... 122 pace for 7 games)

the colts have looked good but i want to see them play a tough physical game before I put them up there, they got destroyed by the dolphins, but peyton was on his game that night, they had 15 minutes on offense, it was something like 44:50 seconds to 15:10...the broncos have been impressive, i will give it to them, well see how they do the next two weeks, but i still have hope that we are in the mix with 2 or 3 teams in the afc....not that surprising

[skyhawk]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

The Saints are going to have a tough time getting past the Eagles, Minny, and AZ come playoff time. I'm not sold on the Saints.

They look tough. They have a potent offense and a effective and scoring D. I am sold. How can one not be?

[AngryAsian]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

I saw the Saints battle a hostile opposing crowd and come back from a 24-3 deficit while overcoming turnovers. Their free-agent acquisition in Sharper, leads the league in INTs with 6 in as many games. They're #11 in total defense.... and that's plenty good when you have an offense rated #1 in pts. per game, yards per game, and total points scored. I'm sold... this team will be representing the NFC in this year.

[stlrz d]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

I have to disagree with your list. All of those defenses have issues as well.

Every defense does this year. There is no clear cut best D out there.

So if our D plays their game and the O doesn't take the foot off the gas we are as good as any team in the league.

I put MIN in that list mistakenly. Other than that, every single team in that list has given up less than we have. We have given up 128 points (35 on INTs and STs)

Denver 66 (in 6 games ... extrapolate out to 77)
IND 77 (6 games ... 89.3 pace for 7 games)
NE 98 (7 games)
NYJ 104 (7 games) How'd this D fair against the best O in the league, New Orl?
GB 96 (6 games ... 122 pace for 7 games)

You have to look beyond just the statistics man.

You also have to look at the flow of the game. LeBeau plays a soft zone when we have a lead. That leads to teams getting easy yardage...and points as well.

[TallyStiller]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

The Steelers' OFFENSE is the unit that's going to take them where they're going to go this year... and that unit, when clicking, has been scary good (see 1st half, San Diego). I'm waiting for Ben & Co. to put 4 quarters together, but this unit can step up and control games like Terry & Co. did in '78/'79..

As for the D, look at the points OUR turnovers/ ST's have allowed... Pick 6 by the Bungles... Pick 6 by Detroit... Punt return no whistle bullspit piece o' garbage against San Diego... Cribbs houses kickoff for the Stains... Harvin likewise for Minny. We've given up an average of 5 non defensive points a game ourselves. 10 for Tennessee, 17 for Chicago, 16 for Cincy, 21 for San Diego, 13 for Detroit, 7 for Cleveland, 10 for Minny = 94 in 7 games. Average = 13.4 per, with no opponent over 21. We're fine defensively.

Yes, there have been some crunch time issues, but the offense keeps floundering and letting beaten teams hang around... If we get points at the end of the half in Cincy, they fold. Reed shanks 2 easy kicks in Chicago. Mendy fumbles in the red zone vs Minny. 4 turnovers against Cleveland. Ifr the offense takes care of it's business, we're 7 - 0. As it is, we're under the radar... a great place to be as a Super Bowl champ. Our team will round into shape and we'll be there come February.

As for an opponent, The Saints have the feel of the '99 "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams to me this year. Them vs. the Vikings would be an epic NFC playoff battle. One of those 2 looks good to win it, but it's early, and I don't watch the NFC as close as I do the AFC, so unlike the idiots at ESPN, I won't speculate about that which I don't understand.

[skyhawk]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

The Steelers' OFFENSE is the unit that's going to take them where they're going to go this year... and that unit, when clicking, has been scary good (see 1st half, San Diego). I'm waiting for Ben & Co. to put 4 quarters together, but this unit can step up and control games like Terry & Co. did in '78/'79..

As for the D, look at the points OUR turnovers/ ST's have allowed... Pick 6 by the Bungles... Pick 6 by Detroit... Punt return no whistle bullspit piece o' garbage against San Diego... Cribbs houses kickoff for the Stains... Harvin likewise for Minny. We've given up an average of 5 non defensive points a game ourselves. 10 for Tennessee, 17 for Chicago, 16 for Cincy, 21 for San Diego, 13 for Detroit, 7 for Cleveland, 10 for Minny = 94 in 7 games. Average = 13.4 per, with no opponent over 21. We're fine defensively.

Yes, there have been some crunch time issues, but the offense keeps floundering and letting beaten teams hang around... If we get points at the end of the half in Cincy, they fold. Reed shanks 2 easy kicks in Chicago. Mendy fumbles in the red zone vs Minny. 4 turnovers against Cleveland. Ifr the offense takes care of it's business, we're 7 - 0. As it is, we're under the radar... a great place to be as a Super Bowl champ. Our team will round into shape and we'll be there come February.

As for an opponent, The Saints have the feel of the '99 "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams to me this year. Them vs. the Vikings would be an epic NFC playoff battle. One of those 2 looks good to win it, but it's early, and I don't watch the NFC as close as I do the AFC, so unlike the idiots at ESPN, I won't speculate about that which I don't understand.

Nice observations. I like.

[SteelAbility]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

The Steelers' OFFENSE is the unit that's going to take them where they're going to go this year... and that unit, when clicking, has been scary good (see 1st half, San Diego). I'm waiting for Ben & Co. to put 4 quarters together, but this unit can step up and control games like Terry & Co. did in '78/'79..

As for the D, look at the points OUR turnovers/ ST's have allowed... Pick 6 by the Bungles... Pick 6 by Detroit... Punt return no whistle bullspit piece o' garbage against San Diego... Cribbs houses kickoff for the Stains... Harvin likewise for Minny. We've given up an average of 5 non defensive points a game ourselves. 10 for Tennessee, 17 for Chicago, 16 for Cincy, 21 for San Diego, 13 for Detroit, 7 for Cleveland, 10 for Minny = 94 in 7 games. Average = 13.4 per, with no opponent over 21. We're fine defensively.

Yes, there have been some crunch time issues, but the offense keeps floundering and letting beaten teams hang around... If we get points at the end of the half in Cincy, they fold. Reed shanks 2 easy kicks in Chicago. Mendy fumbles in the red zone vs Minny. 4 turnovers against Cleveland. Ifr the offense takes care of it's business, we're 7 - 0. As it is, we're under the radar... a great place to be as a Super Bowl champ. Our team will round into shape and we'll be there come February.

As for an opponent, The Saints have the feel of the '99 "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams to me this year. Them vs. the Vikings would be an epic NFC playoff battle. One of those 2 looks good to win it, but it's early, and I don't watch the NFC as close as I do the AFC, so unlike the idiots at ESPN, I won't speculate about that which I don't understand.

I hear what you are saying and if you wanted to take the D analysis further you would SUBTRACT the 14 points we scored against the Vikes to get the total "effective points per game" they have given up which brings it to 11.7. That's great. My concern is twofold. First, the fourth quarter. As a team, both O and D, we are getting handled in the 4th quarter. Fortunately we have built leads going into the 4th, but come playoff time the lead-building is not going to be so easy. Which is my second concern ...

To date, our opponents collective record is 19-26 (0.422), 17-21 if you don't count games against the Steelers (0.447). That is not playoff-caliber competition. In the playoffs you usally play a 10-6/11-5 teams (0.625-0.68. Then, when the 4th quarter rolls around and there is no lead or just a small lead ... ????

I believe our game in Denver has strong potential to define the rest of the way.

I also think the problems are fixable. It's an issue of how much time, how much damage to the playoff position if any and, of course, managing all of that through injuries.

[birtikidis]

Re: Bye - Week Discussion: A Black and Gold Superbowl 44

Agreed on the Saints. Not so sure on the Steelers. As much as I would love to believe it, I think we are all seeing problems on D.

Can you point to any D in the league this season that is dominating in every aspect of the game? The rules continue to change to favor the offense. The Brady rule is the latest in a long line of rules designed to give the offense an advantage.

What you saw in the 4th qtr of the Vikings game was reminiscent of what we saw from our D last season.

I don't recall who started the prediction thread so I don't know where to dig it up, but my prediction was a Steelers/Saints match up in Miami.

the only rule that i've seen lately that helps the defense is the hines ward rule. of course that hurts us!