Dave Clifford's Unofficial Pittsburgh Steelers Site: Steelers at Titans

Steelers at Titans

Playoff atmosphere....home field...#1 seed up for grabs...this one will have it all!

The Steelers find themselves right where they want to be: with their fate in their own hands. With a win over the Titans this weekend and a win over the Browns next weekend (providing the Titans win next week against Indy next week since that will be a bye game for Indy) the Steelers can have home field adavantage throughout the playoffs. Woohoo! Well, no, not really. No Woohoo from me.

As a fan I love games at Heinz Field and of course want the home field advantage. But historically it hasn't meant that much when it comes to the playoffs for our boys. The Steelers of past years have lost games they really shouldn't have in the playoffs as the #1 seed. But let's not go into this.

Cheez says he wants #1 seed. And this team doesn't need luck, just need to be there. There is heart, there is talent, there is the best D ever, etc.

So, Tennessee is gonna be without one of their all pro tackles. Other than that, they have few injuries. No matter, they have been beaten a few times after their 10-0 run. And they have lost to Houston (not going to the playoffs) and the Jets (probably going to the playoffs). And didn't look real good doing it either.
Did you know that the Titans have given up the fewest sacks in the league? Most impressive methinks...but then I see they have the 5th lowest pass attempts in the entire league. That must mean their rushing is pretty good. Right? Yep, not bad at all. And 4th in the league in attempts. Now I'm not really a stats guy, but I had to look to figure out why these guys are 12-2. Only thing I can figure is they run a lot and their defense is pretty good.

So, the number 1 defense in the league has to stop the run, plain and simple. That leaves the offense. I think this will be the breakout game. This will be the game they look like the league's best. The run game, the passing game, everything. Why? Simple, they have officially clinched the division and the pressure is off. The NFL's toughest schedule in 30 years is nearly done and the worst the 2008 Steelers can do with it is 11-5. But that's ain't gonna happen, cuz this will be the game. I don't know, I just have this feeling is all.

Anyway, I'm predicting a huge offensive day. Who's with me??

Post-Game

Well, that was fun, huh? Let me first say that the following nonsense I will write is simply the effect of watching a bad game today. It has no bearing on my thoughts for the season, this team or my fanaticism.

Done disclaimer.

Well, it's rather hard to look at any one aspect of this game to define what sucked the most. I think there was an equal amount spread around for the most part. But, since he is the leader of the offense and Team Captain, Big Ben gets the largest part of the verbage.

Yep, Ben put the ball on the ground 4 times, lost two of them and threw to the wrong team twice. Four turnovers. He carried the ball badly today. Now granted the first fumble was a hard hit and probably would have jarred the ball loose on the most seasoned running back, but the others were bad. That's a large part of my angst. HOWEVER, it seems obvious to me that the audibles called by Ben when he read heavy blitz were a thing of complete crap. OK, the draw play does work when you read blitz....when you run it away from the blitz. Not right at it. So my word of advice....Ben, run the play called, point out the blitz look to the receivers and get the ball to them quick. Coach Arians (and I use the title only cuz you have it right now) you cannot give him only the draw to call as an audible.
Now I will say Ben did make some real good throws today. So he wasn't totally useless. But when the mistakes equal 21 points and you can only get 14, well, you do the math and get back to me.

Now on to the defense that has been nothing short of spectacular all season long. OK, simply stated, you got run on and passed on and ammassed one sack and no turnovers. In other words, you stunk it up a bit too. You are entitled to a bad game and hopefully it will be your last for the season. I will take nothing away from your past effort and just look at what has been accomplished so far. I also think you were on the field too much, but you can't do much about that. Well you can, get a few turnovers and score on them yourself. But I digress.

Special teams were there, nothing real good or real bad to report. Although Jeff Reed, I think you misjudged the breeze a bit, so get your butt out there and practice more before the game.

Once again, I must reiterate I am not really that bent out of shape about this loss. Yeah, we had a chance at Home Field. Personally with the way the weather can get in Pittsburgh in January, I'm not that concerned. We will have one game at home and the fan contingent will be there in droves as they always are. We also have a first round bye to get rested and healed. So to be honest, why did we suit up the first team at all? The game was lost and didn't mean that much either way, so I'd say once the lead was out of reach, sit some players and let the backups get some time. We may need them.

With only one game left in the season and it is truly meaningless, I am and have been in awe with the wins they have amassed. This defense is one of, if not truly, the best ever. And this coming from a huge Greg Lloyd fan. With the toughest schedule in the last 30 years, the Steelers have attained an 11-4 record. So while my words above may sound bitter, I truly am not. In fact, I am as always, a Proud Steeler Fan.

Oh and by the way, Baltimore sucks.

Posted by Dave Clifford on Fri Dec 19 2008, 07:47AM |

Read/Post Comment: 0 |