Posted:
#1
I'm sure this will be another bashed column, but here it is.
1. Why the Steelers will win - They will win the game through the air. Even with Willie Parker the first game, the Steelers never got going on the ground. Willie's 14 for 100 is a little misleading. They struggled to establish flow with the running game. Once they got behind, they had to pass. Even knowing this, the Jags struggled to stop the Steelers with 6 and 7 DB's on the field. Roethlisberger's 16 of 33 for 146 and 3 TD's are mediocre at best - but that was due to the poor first half. Najeh is a much better at catching out of the backfield anyways. That isn't even the main point. Even though the Jags ran through the Steelers the first time, it won't happen again. You can point to the fact that Baltimore just ran all over most of the Steelers starting D. That isn't it either. It will be Dick LeBeau's ability to gameplan much better for the second game. (Remember them going into Indy two years ago and destroying the Colts? Even though you may point to the Ben "shoestring tackle" that was after a Jerome Bettis fumble on the 1 that would have wrapped it up. The Steelers dominated that game in every aspect after getting embarrassed a few weeks before against the Colts on MNF. It always favors the loser of the first matchup the second time. In this case especially. The first matchup the Steelers got caught in way to many blitzs and the Jags countered very well. They were ready, the Steelers were not. Won't be so easy the second time. LeBeau will be able to bring things that Gerard and the Jags didn't see last game. With S Troy Polamalu healthy, it could be the key to the game. Even with out Aaron Smith, the top run stopping DE in football, the Steelers will adjust and slow the Jags down. When they do, the Jags will struggle passing the ball leaving them in deep trouble. However, if the Steelers fail to establish some offense in the first quarter or so, Big Ben could be Big Bust and attempt to do too much. This would result in stalled drives and fatal turnovers.
2. Other things to consider - Gerard is the real deal and will be an NFL quarterback for several years to come. I just do not like his chances if the game is put on his shoulders on the road in the playoffs against the Steelers. Special teams will play a big role in this match up. The Jags have a huge advantage in the return game with Jones-Drew vs Willie Reid/Allen Rossum. (if he plays)
1. Why the Steelers will win - They will win the game through the air. Even with Willie Parker the first game, the Steelers never got going on the ground. Willie's 14 for 100 is a little misleading. They struggled to establish flow with the running game. Once they got behind, they had to pass. Even knowing this, the Jags struggled to stop the Steelers with 6 and 7 DB's on the field. Roethlisberger's 16 of 33 for 146 and 3 TD's are mediocre at best - but that was due to the poor first half. Najeh is a much better at catching out of the backfield anyways. That isn't even the main point. Even though the Jags ran through the Steelers the first time, it won't happen again. You can point to the fact that Baltimore just ran all over most of the Steelers starting D. That isn't it either. It will be Dick LeBeau's ability to gameplan much better for the second game. (Remember them going into Indy two years ago and destroying the Colts? Even though you may point to the Ben "shoestring tackle" that was after a Jerome Bettis fumble on the 1 that would have wrapped it up. The Steelers dominated that game in every aspect after getting embarrassed a few weeks before against the Colts on MNF. It always favors the loser of the first matchup the second time. In this case especially. The first matchup the Steelers got caught in way to many blitzs and the Jags countered very well. They were ready, the Steelers were not. Won't be so easy the second time. LeBeau will be able to bring things that Gerard and the Jags didn't see last game. With S Troy Polamalu healthy, it could be the key to the game. Even with out Aaron Smith, the top run stopping DE in football, the Steelers will adjust and slow the Jags down. When they do, the Jags will struggle passing the ball leaving them in deep trouble. However, if the Steelers fail to establish some offense in the first quarter or so, Big Ben could be Big Bust and attempt to do too much. This would result in stalled drives and fatal turnovers.
2. Other things to consider - Gerard is the real deal and will be an NFL quarterback for several years to come. I just do not like his chances if the game is put on his shoulders on the road in the playoffs against the Steelers. Special teams will play a big role in this match up. The Jags have a huge advantage in the return game with Jones-Drew vs Willie Reid/Allen Rossum. (if he plays)
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