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ExtremeRavens: The Sanctuary

Steeler Game Plan?


vmax

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This sounds like their best shot...from Matt Williamson...

 

There are ways to help this young quarterback. First of all, he is a tremendous runner with the ball in his hands. Pittsburgh would be wise to use designed movement by the quarterback to move the pocket, and to call designed runs for Dixon. Much like facing Vince Young in Tennessee, this will make playing man coverage much more difficult for Baltimore. Using Young as a model would be wise, as the Titans keep his mental responsibilities to a minimum, do not ask him to make elaborate reads and encourage him to run when the play doesn’t go to script.

 

Young also has done a great job of throwing to his backs and tight ends in the short and intermediate zones. Incorporating RBs Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore in the screen game would be wise for the Steelers as well. Both catch the ball well and calling screens will help slow Baltimore’s pass rush. TE Heath Miller is also a reliable weapon at Dixon’s disposal. Miller should consistently get favorable matchups against the Ravens’ heavier 3-4 linebackers. Things will go much more smoothly if Dixon can exploit the favorable matchups at his disposal with his excellent wide receivers.

 

The obvious response for the Steelers without Roethlisberger will be to lean more on the running game. That would be smart. Even against a usually stout defensive front, staying patient with Mendenhall is a must. Pittsburgh has one of the top defenses in the league, so scoring points will not come easy for the Ravens. Staying patient and dedicating themselves to running the football -- which can be problematic for offensive coordinator Bruce Arians at times -- is of paramount importance for the Steelers. It will establish a physicality that could lend to the Ravens’ defense -- which is dealing with injuries of its own -- wearing down late in what should be a close game. Also, a dedication to the ground attack would open up play-action options. Dixon does sell ball fakes well and the Steelers have a distinct advantage against Baltimore’s cornerbacks. But can Dixon exploit it?

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/6096/steelers-to-take-on-ravens-without-big-ben

 

If ever there was a game this season where the Ravens could get a win by scoring on a fast start this is it. Brady, Rthsxllssbrrgrrr, and Maninning can ncome back from being down by 2 scores but that's a lot to ask rookie Dixon.

Force Dixon to beat them with his arm. Take them out of their game plan by getting and maintaining a lead.

Easier said than done from an offense that is struggling early in games and struggling in the redzone.

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If ever there was a game this season where the Ravens could get a win by scoring on a fast start this is it. Brady, Rthsxllssbrrgrrr, and Maninning can ncome back from being down by 2 scores but that's a lot to ask rookie Dixon.

Force Dixon to beat them with his arm. Take them out of their game plan by getting and maintaining a lead.

Easier said than done from an offense that is struggling early in games and struggling in the redzone.

 

 

Special Teams will be huge. You never want to count on a kickoff return, but the Steelers are having plenty of trouble covering them. Even if Webb doesn't go all the way - if can set us up with good position consistently against their D, we can build a nice lead. On the other side, we can't let their special teams give Dixon a short field. Make him start on his own 20 and he'll have more chances to screw up before potentially getting them into scoring range.

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My guess is the Steelers are banking on their defense to shut down the Ravens O and keep it close.

Hate to say it but the Ravens O has been dysfunctional for 4 weeks so this might be an easy task for them.

 

The Ravens need to keep Dixon in the pocket and have a shadow on him because he can and will run. Do that and stop Mendenhal and we have have a close game that could come down to Special Teams, kickers and turnovers.

Ravens have the ST edge.

 

Bottom line: Flacco and the Ravens O have to be better than the Steeler O today. They have to win the 1 on 1 matchups and make a few big plays.

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