Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
✦✦✦Official 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter BigSteelThrill
- Start date
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
I hope bad Joe shows up. I think that is the whole crux of this game.I shudder to think of Antonio Brown lining up in the slot and across from him is..........Matt Elam
I don't understand DVD or any of those advanced stats people throw around, but I will say this - Baltimore's front 7 has been magnificent for the vast majority of the season, I don't care how they rank. When you consider the bad spots the offense AND their own DBs have put them in, it's been just about the lone shining star of the season.
I think 3 things HAVE to happen for the Ravens to have a shot at winning:
1. Magic Playoff Joe has to show up for all 4 quarters or #2 doesn't happen.
2. They've got to be able to run or #1 doesn't happen.
3. They've got to get to Ben a TON or none of the above matters because he'll throw for 9,000 yards.
That's the one thing going for them. Bad Joe hasn't really shown up in much playoff games.I hope bad Joe shows up. I think that is the whole crux of this game.I shudder to think of Antonio Brown lining up in the slot and across from him is..........Matt Elam
I don't understand DVD or any of those advanced stats people throw around, but I will say this - Baltimore's front 7 has been magnificent for the vast majority of the season, I don't care how they rank. When you consider the bad spots the offense AND their own DBs have put them in, it's been just about the lone shining star of the season.
I think 3 things HAVE to happen for the Ravens to have a shot at winning:
1. Magic Playoff Joe has to show up for all 4 quarters or #2 doesn't happen.
2. They've got to be able to run or #1 doesn't happen.
3. They've got to get to Ben a TON or none of the above matters because he'll throw for 9,000 yards.
Copeman
Footballguy
The_Man
Footballguy
I have to say that I'm not convinced the loss of Bell is going to be that huge. He only had 20 yards on 10 carries in the Steelers 43-23 win when Ben threw 6 TDs.
Football is about match-ups. The Ravens run D is excellent, so it's not a great match-up for the Steelers, even with Bell in there. But their pass D is a horror show, as Ben showed in the last meeting. If he threw 6 TDs with Bell having a very weak game, he can do the same with a back-up RB providing league average performance.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are without both starting Tackles. They're playing undrafted rookie free agent James Hurst at Left Tackle. Good luck getting your first playoff start on a Saturday night game in Pittsburgh. They're moving Yanda out to Right Tackle, and filling his space with a fifth round rookie draft pick. The Steelers specialize in getting pressure, often with complex blitz schemes. This is another huge match-up edge for Pittsburgh. The Ravens haven't been able to run the ball at all since their Tackles went down, and they won't be able to protect Flacco long enough to throw the mid- to deep-range passes that are his specialty. While the Steelers Pass D seems like a match-up edge for the Ravens, I think their poor pass protection won't allow them to take advantage of it. It seems unavoidable to me that Harrison has a huge strip sack of Flacco.
I really think the match-ups favor the Steelers very strongly, and that the loss of Bell has kept the line down. I'm thinking this has the makings of a 34-13 Pittsburgh win.
Football is about match-ups. The Ravens run D is excellent, so it's not a great match-up for the Steelers, even with Bell in there. But their pass D is a horror show, as Ben showed in the last meeting. If he threw 6 TDs with Bell having a very weak game, he can do the same with a back-up RB providing league average performance.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are without both starting Tackles. They're playing undrafted rookie free agent James Hurst at Left Tackle. Good luck getting your first playoff start on a Saturday night game in Pittsburgh. They're moving Yanda out to Right Tackle, and filling his space with a fifth round rookie draft pick. The Steelers specialize in getting pressure, often with complex blitz schemes. This is another huge match-up edge for Pittsburgh. The Ravens haven't been able to run the ball at all since their Tackles went down, and they won't be able to protect Flacco long enough to throw the mid- to deep-range passes that are his specialty. While the Steelers Pass D seems like a match-up edge for the Ravens, I think their poor pass protection won't allow them to take advantage of it. It seems unavoidable to me that Harrison has a huge strip sack of Flacco.
I really think the match-ups favor the Steelers very strongly, and that the loss of Bell has kept the line down. I'm thinking this has the makings of a 34-13 Pittsburgh win.
You may be right (or you may be wrong), but if arguably the league's best RB played poorly against the Ravens run defense, why would you think a UDFA, over-drafted tiny scat-back, or twice cut RB would be able to offer "league-average performance?"
For the record, even though Bell didn't put up much rushing-wise against the Ravens, they had to account for him. With Harris/Archer/Tate at RB, they could be more likely to play fewer men in the box & try to be better against the pass.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I think one of the biggest limitations with the Bell loss will be in the pass protection game. Bell is a pretty good blocker and a great receiver. Regardless, I agree that the Steelers still match up well against the Ravens.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
The Ravens front 7 is nasty, and Ngata being back is not good news for us. I expect FB Johnson to be in for a lot of the passing looks to just account for the blocking we lose with Bell being out.
It's funny how this Steelers team has turned out. I just remember the trainwreck of trying to play pass defense against Brady and Rich Gannon all those years ago where they would just go 4 and 5-wide and carve the #### out of the Steelers D. I think the Steelers can use this type of "F-it, who needs a RB" offense with success tomorrow, assuming our Oline + a FB can give Ben even a decent amount of protection.
It's funny how this Steelers team has turned out. I just remember the trainwreck of trying to play pass defense against Brady and Rich Gannon all those years ago where they would just go 4 and 5-wide and carve the #### out of the Steelers D. I think the Steelers can use this type of "F-it, who needs a RB" offense with success tomorrow, assuming our Oline + a FB can give Ben even a decent amount of protection.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I park on the North Side (Alleheny Ave). Lots range from $30-$40 although they'll probably Jack their prices $10 because it is a playoff game. I've never parked at the Casino but I have at the stadium lots and Carnegie Science Center which is right there.Those lots are fine if you aren't in a hurry to get home after the game but if you want to get out fast you are gonna be sitting in traffic.
ETA: You could also be in for a wait if you're taking the Gateway Clipper. It is a nice way to get there but I like to get home as fast as possible after a game, especially a night game and parking at the North Side I can be home in 20-25 minutes and I live in the South Hills, almost Washington county.
Last edited by a moderator:
pghrob
Hail to the Chief
The Steelers o-line's ability to run block will be on display today. Yes, Bell has shown remarkable patience, vision, and burst. But their execution at opening run lanes will give Harris opportunities like he had in his 50 plus yard run that was called back against the Bengals. The Rat birds defense has to respect the pass which should create good opportunity to run for Harris. I can see at least 25 rushes by the Steelers today.
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
Main thing the RBs need to do is not fumble. the team that wins the turnover battle will win this game.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I'm curious to see how Flacco's "chuck it 50 yards as soon as you see man coverage and hope for a flag" strategy works against Blake/McCain/Gay. It worries me, but those guys have actually been playing some decent ball since the debacle against the Saints.
Steelers! Here We Go!
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I'm very, very nervous.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I'm also nervous but mainly because it's been a while since we've been in the playoffs and I just don't want this ride to end yet.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
.Evilgrin 72 said:
irish eyes
Footballguy
You certainly called that.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I can't and won't consider this a successful year. I expected so much more tonight even without Bell. Ben and the offense didn't do enough and the defense stunk on 3rd and long. Pathetic performance.
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
Let me guess you projected a 6-10 year and now 11-5 and what appears to be a playoff loss is disappointing. Arrow is pointing up. They need to restock the defense further. Nothing but NT's, CB's and OLB's in this next draft please.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I thought more like 9-7 but doesn't change the fact that it was a disappointing way to go out. They were a better team than the Ravens without Bell but made too many mistakes.
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
They reverted back to the undisciplined team of the early season. You can't win with that many penalties. It killed the whole game.
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
Has to be considered a successful season after the Last 2 years...only one team can win it all.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I don't think the Steelers were going to win the Super Bowl this year but given what I saw from them the past 4 weeks, I expected a better performance tonight. I don't particularly care if they make the playoffs and are one and done by losing to an inferior team at home. If they had won tonight and lost next week, I would absolutely consider it a successful season. I'm not saying the future isn't bright for this team. I think that it is. I just think that this team should not have lost tonight.
irish eyes
Footballguy
Ended up being a much better year than I thought from the beginning of the year. But that is hard to take going out like that. Its like the last few weeks were a mirage.
HellToupee
Footballguy
Too many points legt on the field in the 1st half. Bell would have made a huge difference there but you still have to convert
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
By the way, they MUST sign Ben to an extension. I can't even imagine what it would be like to not have a stud QB leading this team.
Bad end to a good season. But a good season ain't a bad thing. 
That offense is set for the foreseeable future, and a single offseason pretty much 100% dedicated to righting the ship on defense ought to go a long way. Future looks pretty bright, as long as they can find/groom a Roethisberger heir sometime in the next few years. Should be a favorite next year. Good season, guys.
That offense is set for the foreseeable future, and a single offseason pretty much 100% dedicated to righting the ship on defense ought to go a long way. Future looks pretty bright, as long as they can find/groom a Roethisberger heir sometime in the next few years. Should be a favorite next year. Good season, guys.
ThaPenguin
Footballguy
Mitchell apparently was playing with a torn groin. Surgery this week.
https://twitter.com/AKinkhabwala/status/551604775239024640
https://twitter.com/AKinkhabwala/status/551604775239024640
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
The Bell absence was what did us in. That loss is all about that key cog missing. And it effected Ben directly.
It wasnt just him, but also Blount. And the fact that Archer, Harris and Tate were to unfamiliar with anything to be of any real use.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
This may read as condescending, but you guys that know me will know I don't mean it that way:
Good season, Stillers.
I'm an odd duck anyway, but I was telling someone the other day that - if the Ravens have to lose to any team in the playoffs - I'd actually rather it be Pittsburgh. He looked at me like I was crazy, but I mean that. This rivalry is so ####### good and tough and unpredictable that I can justify in my pea brain losing to them and be ok with it.
I still think Pittsburgh had a better chance to go deeper into the playoffs than Baltimore.
Good season, Stillers.
I'm an odd duck anyway, but I was telling someone the other day that - if the Ravens have to lose to any team in the playoffs - I'd actually rather it be Pittsburgh. He looked at me like I was crazy, but I mean that. This rivalry is so ####### good and tough and unpredictable that I can justify in my pea brain losing to them and be ok with it.
I still think Pittsburgh had a better chance to go deeper into the playoffs than Baltimore.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Red zone offense was terrible and the defense couldn't get off the field on third down. Waaay too many penalties too. Losing Bell really hurt but this was a winnable game. Disappointing way to go out but big improvement over last year.
Now they need to spend some high draft picks on DBs and re-sign Gay. The only thing they need on offense is TE and backup RB and obviously sign Ben.
Final goodbyes to Ike, Harrison, Keisel and probably Polamalu. It was a great ride but time to move on.
Now they need to spend some high draft picks on DBs and re-sign Gay. The only thing they need on offense is TE and backup RB and obviously sign Ben.
Final goodbyes to Ike, Harrison, Keisel and probably Polamalu. It was a great ride but time to move on.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Hi friends. I'm sad. Someone: bake me some consolation muffins.
Someone fire up the ***2015*** thread and make sure it's linked here when you do.
Someone fire up the ***2015*** thread and make sure it's linked here when you do.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Similar threads
