Steelers hope to rebound against Seahawks
MEMORABLE SERIES MOMENT
Steelers 24, Seahawks 0
Sept. 18, 2011 at Heinz Field
Coming off a 35-7 loss at Baltimore in the opener, the Steelers returned home and held the Seahawks scoreless for the second time in two games at Heinz Field. The defense held Marshawn Lynch to 11 yards rushing and the Seahawks to 164 yards of total offense. The visitors never got past the Pittsburgh 26. Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle QB, and the following spring they drafted Russell Wilson. The Steelers, led by Mike Wallace’s eight catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, rebounded from the opening-day embarrassment as Ben Roethlisberger posted a 115.7 passer rating.
TALE OF THE TAPE
“The thing that jumps out at me is their offensive line is huge, but they are very slow afoot. Duane Brown (LT) isn’t what he used to be 12 years into the league. He’s still got good feet but he’s not what he was. D.J. Fluker, the right guard, is huge. He’s over 350. Germain Ifedi (RT) is huge, too. Justin Britt (C) is the athlete but he’s kind of soft. He can be bulled. The offensive line can run-block but they’re not good at pass-blocking. They’re huge. They’re maulers. That’s why they want to run the ball so much. When they get out on the screens, they’re slow there, too.” — Steelers Radio analyst Tunch Ilkin.
TOP QUESTION
Can Pittsburgh stop a veteran QB from exploiting its youthful defensive middle?
Free safety Sean Davis returned to key a cacophony of communication at practice on Thursday. He was a voice they missed against Tom Brady in Foxboro, so it won’t be as easy for Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh as Terrell Edmunds settles into his familiar strong safety position and inside linebackers Devin Bush and Mark Barron play their second games with the Steelers.
THREE QUESTIONS: With QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER
Q: Per the Seahawks, do you have anything new to tell from your first Super Bowl?
BR: “I think people know all the unique things. Like the time Cowher grabbed me. Everyone saw that. It was supposed to be a run play but I kept it on my own and he gave me that ‘Great job. Don’t ever do it again’ type thing. And the sneak, that was clearly a touchdown. It was clear. Seattle’s such a different team anymore. I really don’t even think of that game when they come up on the schedule.”
Q: You used to use play-action so effectively, but I think you guys were last in play-action attempts last season. Why don’t you use as much play-action these days?
BR: “I think the game has changed a little bit. I think the reason we were so good then is we ran the ball so much. We ran the ball a lot, especially the second halves of games. I know Cowher’s record when leading is ridiculous. You get at that point in games and we would throw it so little in the second half, and it was usually a play-action (pass) because everyone knows we come out and run the ball. Some of it had to do with the way the game was unfolding. The Patriots have changed their offense a little bit. They lost some guys and went with a fullback. I think it’s totally about what your offense is.”
Q: Deion Sanders predicted you’re going to retire before this season ends. He said you looked disinterested the first game. You’ve been hearing this kind of stuff all offseason and bitten your lip. Is there an explosion percolating under the hood?
BR: “Nah. I really don’t care. But I would love it if Vegas had odds on that, though. I’d bet the farm that I wasn’t going to retire by the end of the season. I hope he puts his money on it, too. He would lose it all. But, no, really, I only care about what’s in here. I don’t pay attention to the outside stuff. There’s sooooo much going on that I just can’t afford to. I’m here with these guys; I’m home with my family. It’s just not my thing, so it doesn’t bother me.”
GAME BREAKDOWN
What to look for from the Steelers today at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field:
ON OFFENSE
The Steelers receiving corps caught only 57 percent of their targeted passes for 276 from a quarterback who was sacked only one time last week. The Seahawks, meanwhile, sacked Bengals QB Andy Dalton five times (lost two fumbles) but Dalton’s receivers caught 73 percent of his pases for 418 and two touchdowns. The Bengals’ passing game isn’t THAT much better than the Steelers’, if at all, so the Steelers hope it had more to do with the Seahawks secondary. Look for Donte Moncrief to bounce back (even with his dislocated middle finger) and for rookie Diontae Johnson to play a bigger role in the game plan as the Steelers seek better play opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster.
ON DEFENSE
They didn’t do much well against the Patriots but the Steelers did stop the run. They allowed the Patriots 99 yards at 3.4 per carry. Considering the weak pass-blocking of the Seattle front, figure the Seahawks to try to run the ball with 220-pound tailbacks Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. They only avearged 2.9 yards per carry at home against the Bengals last week, so if the Steelers do their jobs up front, QB Wilson should be under heavy duress as he tries to pass to beastly rookie D.K. Metcalf and slippery Tyler Lockett on pass downs.
PREDICTION
You’re never as bad or good as you looked in your previous game, but at Wednesday’s practice the Steelers looked worse. They struggled in full pads in the stifling heat and groused at each other. But after Thursday’s practice, the players left the field to a standing ovation from their strength and conditioning coach who praised their tempo. I’m looking for those Thursday Steelers to show up and rebound this afternoon. … Steelers, 24-6.
PARTING SHOT
“There will be no division in this group. This is how we’re wired. This is what we put out there. We’re foaming at the mouth for our next opportunity.” — Mike Tomlin.