I don’t usually go to the Wall Street Journal for my sports news, but came across an interesting piece today from writer Reed Albergotti on his take on how to beat the teams in the AFC in the playoffs. Here’s his take on what to do to top the Steelers:
The Steelers’ trademark is a solid 3-4 defense that comes hard around the edges with its linebackers and is anchored by a nasty nosetackle. On offense, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gets all the attention for his ability to create extra time by moving deftly in the pocket.
THE BIG REVEAL: Teams can’t count on scoring a lot of points against the Steelers defense, so they should probably just focus on making sure their offense doesn’t carve them up like Cornish game hens. Despite the attention given to Mr. Roethlisberger, the Steelers offense really revolves around a meaty offensive line that’s made even meatier by the double tight-end sets the team often uses.
James Anderson, a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, says the biggest mistake defenses make against this unit is trying to get around them. The Steelers’ line exploits such errors by using an agnostic blocking technique—whichever way the opponent moves, the Steelers line drives them in that direction. This can create enormous gaps for the running backs. Mr. Anderson says the best way to contain the Steelers’ overfed blockers is to take them head-on.
Click HERE to read the rest of the piece
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Wes
January 7, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Wayto dumb to even reply…If you pull up your def ben will go deep, if you pull back your def ben will hand off.. Steelers Def is a flow to the ball def, if you run a reverse that sometimes will work.. but ANY other offense will get crushed period! The patriots use a 5 wide set..it works because of TIMING..But, if you Knock sexyboy down 3 times his timing will be off cause he dont like hits.. Than we control the game! Patriots line is SOLID but like the Colts line in 2005 It CAN AND WILL BE BLOWN UP! Trust me.. The Steelers Def will Adjust not change for Brady.. Steelers 31-21 over Patriots unless the Ravens do them first..Steelers over Ravens 24-14..Steelers RULE!
DrGeorge
January 8, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I agree with Wes: this article is surprisingly superficial. Moreover, the “Big Reveal” is focused on the wrong side of the ball. If you can beat the Steelers defense, you can beat the Steelers. The Steelers offense simply hasn’t been that explosive against playoff caliber teams this year.
In truth, there isn’t any secret to beating any NFL team. With all the tape available, NFL teams have few secrets from each other, and all teams have flaws and weaknesses. The question is whether your team has the talent to exploit the weaknesses of the opposition over the course of a sixty minute game and the coaching guts to persist if results aren’t immediate.
Teams in the playoffs are all pretty good, so turnovers, penalties, field position, and special teams plays often decide the outcome. Knowing that, winning teams usually employ a stout defense and a fairly conservative game plan to keep the score down, control the clock, and minimize errors. The first rule of winning is: don’t beat yourself. In recent games, the Steelers have gotten better at that.
RAY LEWIS
January 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm
RAVENS GONNA WIN!!!!