The View from Pittsburgh

A good read. Thanks for posting. I agree that AR could throw FOUR TD passes...

I think it's ironic that in a year in which the Pack has been decimated by injuries, a few key Steeler injuries (McFadden, Pouncey) could help put the Pack over the top.

Watching the NFL Replay of the Bears game, I was stunned on often Rodgers picked on Bears DB Jennings. Something tells me he's going after Gay next Sunday.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

I think people are going to be surprised at how much the run game is actually used in this game.

Interesting factoid from the article:

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Rodgers' passer rating of 111.5 in indoor games since 2008 is the NFL's best.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg...66.stm#ixzz1CWxhjLpc

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I think people are going to be surprised at how much the run game is actually used in this game.

When the Packers are up by six TDs in the second quarter, it won't be a surprise that they're trying to run out the clock by running the ball.

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Originally posted by YATittle:
A good read. Thanks for posting. I agree that AR could throw FOUR TD passes...

I think it's ironic that in a year in which the Pack has been decimated by injuries, a few key Steeler injuries (McFadden, Pouncey) could help put the Pack over the top.

Watching the NFL Replay of the Bears game, I was stunned on often Rodgers picked on Bears DB Jennings. Something tells me he's going after Gay next Sunday.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

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Originally posted by Henry:
I think people are going to be surprised at how much the run game is actually used in this game.

Henry nailed it. McCarthy will not get pass happy. Pittsburgh has the #1 run defense in the NFL iirc, but McCarthy will give Starks plenty of opportunities.

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Originally posted by Henry:
I think people are going to be surprised at how much the run game is actually used in this game.

That would be surprising, considering the Steelers 2010 run defense was one of the best in NFL history (62.8 yds/game), and that carried over into the playoffs (52.5 yds/game), with a miniscule yards per carry allowed of 2.6!

The Saints beat the Steelers by throwing the ball 44 times for 305 yards in Week 8, but the Steelers pass defense was truly exposed by Brady and the Patriots when he threw for 350 yards and 3 tds in Week 10. The Steelers only faced two "prolific" passing teams all year, and lost to them both.

Now, where Henry might be correct is if the Packers run out of passing formations (single back, 3 wides, 1 TE, or 4 receiver sets), or if Rodgers takes advantage of some scrambles.

But, there is little chance the Packers line up in I-formation's and play "smash mouth" with this Steelers defense.

I've been thinking that this could be a game where MM just unloads the fun n gun - 4 or 5 WR most of the game early and fast break pace. They're playing against a great QB, but one that's prone to getting sacked and turning it over. They could actually have the ST's advantage in this game. Their defense can be susceptible to getting it thrown on them. There seems to be little downside in going for the jugular early with AR, at least from a game-planning POV.

I'm not sure it'll work, but I wouldn't be shocked to see MM come out and throw it all over the park for three quarters at least. If it works, he'll start running the ball in the fourth quarter when that defense is too tired to want to deal with Johnson/Starks.

Polamalu will be, as always, the "X" factor, but I'll bet the Steelers see what everyone else sees, and he plays deep most of the game. That limits the deep passing game, as does the Steelers pass rush.

I'd be shocked if the Steelers don't play primarily zone defense, with mostly four rushers. They won't blitz often. Perhaps early, in an effort to hit Rodgers and shake him, but after that, they will lay back and try to prevent the big play.

If Buluga and Clifton hold up, Rodgers will be primarily in 3 and 5-step drops, looking for the seams between the second and third levels (like the first drive against the Bears), and will stay away from the middle of the field.

The Steelers will try to establish the run, and will stick with it if it's working. They will really want to keep Rodgers off the field. The Packers pass defense is just too good for the Steelers (way better than when these two played last year), hold oppossing QB's to 54.9 QB rating over the last five "elimination" games, with just 5 td passes given up and an amazing 12 interceptions.

All things considered, the Packers will win this game, and if the "intangiables" work in their favor (no wierd bounces, dropped passes that end up as INTs, fumbles, etc.), the Packers will win by two scores or more.

I think that from the gun might be the best way to add in the run as well. Spread them with 4-5 wide and run some draws. Use that speed on the edge against them. It was part of the formula that worked well against the Pats.

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Originally posted by RonJr:


Now, where Henry might be correct is if the Packers run out of passing formations (single back, 3 wides, 1 TE, or 4 receiver sets), or if Rodgers takes advantage of some scrambles.

But, there is little chance the Packers line up in I-formation's and play "smash mouth" with this Steelers defense.

That is my thought. Starks is a tall back with good receiving skills and the ability to help spread the defense out.

I don't think anyone said they would be playing "smashmouth" on a regular basis, especially with this Oline. With that said, I highly doubt the running game will be all but abandoned making the Packers one dimensional. Starks and Kuhn will get their opportunities to churn out tough yards.

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Originally posted by Henry:

That is my thought. Starks is a tall back with good receiving skills and the ability to help spread the defense out.

You know what may surprise some people? How little Starks actually plays as opposed to Brandon Jackson. I'd be willing to bet Jackson is in for MORE plays than Starks and has as many "touches" as Starks through the first three quarters...

We'll see..that's what makes "game planning" so interesting...

Who the hell REALLY knows . . . Maybe Starks runs for 100 yards on Sunday.

Good article. Let the chess match begin.

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Maybe Starks runs for 100 yards on Sunday

I guarantee Packer victory if Starks rushes for 100 yds.

Hey Boris what up with the dog?

A poster on here (who shall remain nameless) called a bunch of us "lap dogs"

So, I guess that's me....A lap dog

MM showed ingenuity by running out of the spread last week. They really didn't run effectively after they reverted to the more traditional running plays in the second half. Also, the passing game was most effective with the seam routes in the middle, which has been their most effective routes over the last half of the season. In fact, I think AR, as great as he has been, has been not all that great in throwing towards the sidelines, especially deep sideline passes.

With that in mind, Pittsburgh, will need to scheme to take away those two aspects of the Packers offense in order to beat them. The Bears adjusted by playing tight and physical at the line of scrimmage in order to force AR to force throws especially on third and long. It is a risky scheme, (but all they could do since they were trailing by 14 and couldn't stay in their soft cover 2 and get picked apart).
It's my guess that Pittsburgh with their physical style will try to adopt this scheme against the Packers. MM needs to be able to finally counter this scheme and the offense needs to execute at a high level to exploit the riskiness of this style of play.

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Originally posted by Boris:
A poster on here (who shall remain nameless)

It's a magic number....

It's also the new "loneliest number".

That looks like a sadistic play on the shocker.