tsylvester Posted January 6 Posted January 6 What more can we say that has not been said: these two teams meet once again for the rubber match. Pit is on a 4 game bender while the Ravens have won 4 in a row in blowout style. The goal for the Ravens this year has been more than just winning it all, it has been about playing their best all game every game. This has not always been the case this year, of the game they lost, they gave them away with costly turnovers and ill timed penalties. In short, teams didn't really beat them, they beat them selves. The knock on Lamar has been not just his playoff record, 2-4, but his erratic play. Not taking what the defense gives him, short passes or timely runs when lanes open, not taking care of the ball, I'll advised throws that get intercepted, or the fumbles. So a familiar foe, one that had his number in the regular season until a complete domination just two weeks ago seemed to quell the questions about big game performances. So it is only fitting that he face the same demon and banish it to start the run to the Silver Betty. The defense too will be tested once again, have they truly improved from the pourus unit that plagued this team at times this year? Does the team have the discipline it will take to win in the post season? So, who ya got? Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 6 Posted January 6 Pitt is falling apart. I would be shocked to see Lamar self destruct enough to lose to them. Quote
oldno82 Posted January 6 Posted January 6 Last time we played em they didn’t have their best receiver. This time, situation will probably be the opposite. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 Their line is still suspect. The Ravens front four has been collapsing pockets all season. If they do that again, it should mitigate Pickens. But rest assured, they will target Stephens and Harrison/Board who don't take proper drops to stop those seam passes to the tightends. Remember, Pit only won the first game in the series because the Ravens turned the ball over and penalties. Just like the last game, if the Ravens can relax and just play mostly mistake free football, they will win. This team, if you listen to the post game interviews, the lockeroom speeches after the win against the Browns, is truly focussed, determined to not let complacency, arrogance, dare I say stupidity stop them from their next goal: win the AFC. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 6 Posted January 6 And that gets to my point of Lamar’s playing poorly. He won’t be bad enough for a loss bc Pitt is playing bad. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 Well, we shall see, he does seem different this year, taking the running lanes when the pocket opens up. Taking the check downs when nothing is open down field. If Flowers can't go, hopefully Tez gets his chance, with his size and speed he will open up the middle for Andrews and Likely. I would love to see them put Humphries on Pickens all game, he is having a great year, looks like his old self. He is a great trash talker so he might even be able to bait Pickens into losing his cool. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 "Best be on your best behavior" According to the nflpenalties.com, Alex Kemp’s crew officiated 16 games in 2024. They tied with Shawn Hochuli’s for the fourth-most penalties whistled in 2024 Quote
oldno82 Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Yeah I heard that too. We'll miss him. Might even be a difference maker, though we still have other weapons. I'm still thinking we win this one. BTW, story on Flowers that I read indicated he could very well be out of the next playoff game too. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 Bone bruises are tough. So long as they don't turn the ball over they should be fine Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Do we think Tomlin will give Russ the hook early if he can’t get the ball down the field? I’m not sure if we can stop an increased run game with fields. Quote
oldno82 Posted January 10 Posted January 10 I could be wrong but I think Wilson plays until the third quarter or later depending on how game is going. If, somehow, we get up by 2 scores I wouldn't be surprised to see Fields in the second half. A big 'if'. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 10 Posted January 10 They are done if we are up by 10 at half. Don’t pull a billick in that case. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 10 hours ago, papasmurfbell said: Do we think Tomlin will give Russ the hook early if he can’t get the ball down the field? I’m not sure if we can stop an increased run game with fields. I expect to see a lot of Fields, taking advantage of his running, much as the Ravens do with Lamar, qb draws, zone reads. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Yeah. It really changes the dynamic of that offense. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 It requires great disciplined play to defend, sort of like the wishbone and wing T once were. Tackles take the running back, ends take the qb, cb takes the pitch. The key on the pitch though is for the end to go diagonal at the qb, more so rush to the mesh point. Now, the teaching back in the day taught us to nail the qb each time he was threatening to pitch or run, this way he would pitch the ball sooner or just hand it off regardless if it was the right read. But ya can't do that any more. So you just have to run diagonally at the mesh point, this makes it harder for him to decide to keep it or hand it off. It also gives the end the best chance to tackle both the qb and runningback. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 Should be dry, the winds should be relatively calm, be like the wind and take this game! Get another monkey off of their backs, the first of 3 Quote
oldno82 Posted January 11 Posted January 11 I might as well ask for it all: a win over Pitts and no more injuries. The Steelers' Defense will be the defining unit on the field. Watt, Heyward, and company must not be allowed to set the tempo in this game and that's a hard thing to stop. If Jackson can keep from being bottled up, we win. He's got both running and receiving weapons to choose from. He's got to keep focused and then we'll be alright. Looking forward to this one big time. Still wishing we had Flowers available. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 Man, I don't what happened to Stroud, he was so accurate last year, now he is lucky to complete a five yard in route. Way off on his deep passes, sideline throws like the one he just threw are nothing but moon shoots. It's as if he forgot how to throw. I wonder if there is something going wrong for him at home that has taken away his concentration Quote
papasmurfbell Posted January 11 Posted January 11 1 hour ago, oldno82 said: I might as well ask for it all: a win over Pitts and no more injuries. The Steelers' Defense will be the defining unit on the field. Watt, Heyward, and company must not be allowed to set the tempo in this game and that's a hard thing to stop. If Jackson can keep from being bottled up, we win. He's got both running and receiving weapons to choose from. He's got to keep focused and then we'll be alright. Looking forward to this one big time. Still wishing we had Flowers available. I think their offense is the important part.they want to stay on the field to keep our offense off. 28 minutes ago, tsylvester said: Man, I don't what happened to Stroud, he was so accurate last year, now he is lucky to complete a five yard in route. Way off on his deep passes, sideline throws like the one he just threw are nothing but moon shoots. It's as if he forgot how to throw. I wonder if there is something going wrong for him at home that has taken away his concentration Their ol has been total trash this yr. I expect the line coach to be sent packing. Quote
tsylvester Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 Looks like he woke up, wow what a turn around in the last 2 minutes, 10 pts Quote
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