Post by jkeeler on Jan 29, 2009 22:02:51 GMT -5
Joe and Hez....
I figured I would start your first thread. Since I'm a diehard Steelers fan, I'm going to post what I think are the keys to the game for each team.
Arizona Cardinals:
1. Dominate Special Teams. Both touchdowns by the Ravens were started by poor Steelers play from their punting unit. Mitch Berger has stuggled in the postseason and Arizona must win the field position battle in order to win the game. Arizona can't rely on 10 play + drives. They need a short field and they must get good field position from their return game.
2. Load up on First Down. I figure they will play 8 men in the box at least 70% on first down. They don't want Willie Parker to beat them. The Ravens held Parker to under 50 yards and kept the Steelers in 2nd and longs throughout the game. 1st down will be a key. If the Steelers are getting 4 plus on 1st downs, their playaction game will open up and big plays will open up down the field.
3. Don't abandon the run. This sounds weird because mot people think the Cardinals have no chance to run on the Steelers. They won't have a huge day running, but the important thing that the running game will do is keep them in manageable third downs. If the Cardinals are facing third and longs, the Steelers will throw every exotic zone blitz they have in the book. The Caridnals need to run the ball and stay committed to the run so they can keep third down manageable and keep the Steelers in man coverage so they can use their assortment of screens, pi
ck plays, bunch sets, etc. They have had much success in the postseason in third down passing situations because they have been in a lot of third and 3-5 instead of 3rd and 8-10.
Steelers Keys:
1. Limit yards after catch. While everybody has been talking about Fitzgerald and his great deep ball catches, I feel the Cardinals have done a great job of gettings yards after the catch through the screen game, crosses, etc. If the Steeler Db's are tackling well, I feel the Cardinals will have trouble scoring points in bunches by trying to make 10 play drives.
2. Set the edge. Watch Health Miller or Hines Ward early in the game. If they are setting the edge in the running game and winning their individual battles, Willie Parker is going to have a huge day. Willie loves to bounce designed inside runs to the outside and gain big chunks of yards by circling the defense. Because Hines will be less than 100%, Heath Miller is gong to be one of the critical keys to the game with his strongside run blocking.
3. Third Down passing. While Big Ben statistics are not as great as Warner's this season, he has been getting the job done on Third down. The steelers love to run bunch sets on third down to and attack a defense's underneath coverage. Ben will have to complete at least two or three third and longs to extend drives and score points against the Cardinals.
--Well I could add more but I would start sounding like Peter King. Love to hear everybody's thoughts. -Justin Keeler
I figured I would start your first thread. Since I'm a diehard Steelers fan, I'm going to post what I think are the keys to the game for each team.
Arizona Cardinals:
1. Dominate Special Teams. Both touchdowns by the Ravens were started by poor Steelers play from their punting unit. Mitch Berger has stuggled in the postseason and Arizona must win the field position battle in order to win the game. Arizona can't rely on 10 play + drives. They need a short field and they must get good field position from their return game.
2. Load up on First Down. I figure they will play 8 men in the box at least 70% on first down. They don't want Willie Parker to beat them. The Ravens held Parker to under 50 yards and kept the Steelers in 2nd and longs throughout the game. 1st down will be a key. If the Steelers are getting 4 plus on 1st downs, their playaction game will open up and big plays will open up down the field.
3. Don't abandon the run. This sounds weird because mot people think the Cardinals have no chance to run on the Steelers. They won't have a huge day running, but the important thing that the running game will do is keep them in manageable third downs. If the Cardinals are facing third and longs, the Steelers will throw every exotic zone blitz they have in the book. The Caridnals need to run the ball and stay committed to the run so they can keep third down manageable and keep the Steelers in man coverage so they can use their assortment of screens, pi
ck plays, bunch sets, etc. They have had much success in the postseason in third down passing situations because they have been in a lot of third and 3-5 instead of 3rd and 8-10.
Steelers Keys:
1. Limit yards after catch. While everybody has been talking about Fitzgerald and his great deep ball catches, I feel the Cardinals have done a great job of gettings yards after the catch through the screen game, crosses, etc. If the Steeler Db's are tackling well, I feel the Cardinals will have trouble scoring points in bunches by trying to make 10 play drives.
2. Set the edge. Watch Health Miller or Hines Ward early in the game. If they are setting the edge in the running game and winning their individual battles, Willie Parker is going to have a huge day. Willie loves to bounce designed inside runs to the outside and gain big chunks of yards by circling the defense. Because Hines will be less than 100%, Heath Miller is gong to be one of the critical keys to the game with his strongside run blocking.
3. Third Down passing. While Big Ben statistics are not as great as Warner's this season, he has been getting the job done on Third down. The steelers love to run bunch sets on third down to and attack a defense's underneath coverage. Ben will have to complete at least two or three third and longs to extend drives and score points against the Cardinals.
--Well I could add more but I would start sounding like Peter King. Love to hear everybody's thoughts. -Justin Keeler
