Playing for Keeps
Pittsburgh faces Tennesee in an AFC Clash
This is not a let the cards fall where they may situation. This is a matter of taking destiny by the throat and seizing the opportunity to play the playoff games in your house.
Playing Tennessee is going to be a bit like the movie ”Ground Hog Day”. It will be a repeat of Dallas and Baltimore as far as clanging helmets and fist clenching goes. Once again the premier Pittsburgh defense is going to have an opponent try and match their physical and smothering style of play. It will probably be another bad day for both offenses.
The Steelers for their part will have to be cautious of the Titans potent rushing attack that features a speedy Chris Johnson and a horse named Lendale White. They are pounding yards at a clip of 142 yards per week making them #5 in the NFL in that department. The Steelers have only had a couple games where the rushing yards were starting to pile up a little on them but nevertheless they cannot afford to let the Tennessee Two-fer run roughshod as they say.
While Titans QB Kerry Collins has solidified the QB position for them he can be nullified and therefore render the Titans one dimensional. Again some caution here. Collins is a seasoned veteran and has seen his share of blitzes. The Steelers need to get to him and get to him often. They will also need to seal up running lanes even when they go after the QB.
All of the things that Pittsburgh needs to do on defense they are more than capable of doing so I am not overly concerned with the Titans offense. Supporting my lack of concern is the fact that the Titans, even with an explosive backfield, are a middle of the pack NFL offense.
The usual suspect as to winning or losing is going to be our mediocre offense. Making life difficult is the fact that the Titans are also a legitimate defensive force to reckoned with. They are #4 in the NFL. That is what I meant by the “here we go again” introduction to this post.
The positives are Ben may not be having his best season but he will not concede to anyone. He has proven that even when they are struggling he can muster up a drive or 2 and close the deal. Also, last week, the Houston Texans duo of QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson exposed a vulnerable chink in the Tennessee armour. The 2 of them slapped 207 passing yards on the Titans secondary. We need to also remember that they only got 13 points on the day.
So Ben should have a few windows of opportunity to find Ward, Holmes, or his favorite long ball boy Washington. And they need to score when they do. Also encouraging is that regardless of the lack of a rushing prowess in Pittsburgh this has not deterred the Steelers from running the ball. So why he numbers are just not there they are gaining some dividends by the attempts. Hopefully the rushing stats will climb some heading into the playoffs. Preferably beginning this week.
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Everything said and done I am smelling a Titans win. They are smarting off of the Houston loss and they want to make a statement. The one thing I cannot account for is there loss of Albert Haynesworth. He is a vital player to the Titans defense. But they are a top notch unit so it may not have the impact we would like it to have. Other than that the Titans are a pretty healthy team which is also why I am giving them an edge for this game.
Tennessee 17 Pittsburgh 15
STEELERS INJURY REPORT (WEDS)
Ryan Clark |
S |
Foot |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
James Harrison |
LB |
Foot |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Willie Parker |
RB |
Not Injury Related |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Troy Polamalu |
S |
Foot |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Aaron Smith |
DE |
Not Injury Related |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Marvel Smith |
T |
Back |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Hines Ward |
WR |
Not Injury Related |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
LaMarr Woodley |
LB |
Knee |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Brett Keisel |
DE |
Knee |
Full Participation in Practice |
|
RAVENS INJURY REPORT (WEDS)
David Thornton |
LB |
Hip |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Cary Williams |
CB |
Quadricep |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
– |
Albert Haynesworth |
DT |
Knee |
Out (Definitely Will Not Play) |
– |
Kyle Vanden Bosch |
DE |
Groin |
Out (Definitely Will Not Play) |
|
Three Steelers make Pro Bowl
12/17/2008
Linebacker James Farrior, linebacker James Harrison and strong safety Troy Polamalu will be making the trip to Honolulu in February as members of the AFC Pro Bowl team. Comment from me: No LaMarr Woodley?
NFL owners to vote on Steelers’ ownership restructuring
12/16/2008
NFL owners may vote on Wednesday whether to accept the restructured ownership plan in which Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his son will buy most of the shares owned by other family members.
By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent