Does the Steelers’ running game kind of suck? (1 Viewer)

[Sheriff66]

Pick your poison Seattle.  Either way you get

You can say the exact same thing for the Steelers.

Steelers scheme is so good/confusing that Seattle wont know when Pitt is playing the run or pass.

The Seahawks run defense is better than the Broncos', so they won't have to focus completely on the run and get burned in the air the way the Broncos did. The Steelers should still be able to move the ball, but don't expect a pathetic showing like the Broncos.

I beg to differ on that, statistically it is not...

Seattle: 420 Carries(10th) 1510 Yards(5th) 3.60 YPC(5th) 5 TD(2nd)Denver: 344 Carries(1st) 1363 Yards(2nd) 3.96 YPC(16th) 10 TD(10th)

Teams didn't run the ball much (344 out of 957 plays - 36%) against the Broncos since it was easier to pass against them. Teams ran 42% of the time (420 out of 991 plays) against the Seahawks.

Pittsburgh 402 carries(5th) 1368 yards(3rd) 3.40(1st) 10TD(10th)

 

[Cookiemonster]

I do agree that it has a lot to do w/ how the other team is scheming their D. As a Steeler fan, I have been a little concerned w/ the running game though. I don't think Parker is the answer. He seems to go down too easily on the 1st contact. Seattle is a little smaller up front, but very quick. They WILL make contact w/ the RB and I'm not so sure FWP is going to get it done. Being last game of his career and in his hometown, I REALLY hope Cowher gives Bettis the start. He'll leave it all on the field, and all over Tatupu. I'm positive Bus runs w/ a fire we have not seen in 6 or 7 years. Parker reminds me of Zereoue. A quick little dude that excels once the D is weak in the knees from Smith, Faneca, Hartings, Simmons, Starks, Miller, Kreider and a 255 lb TAILBACK leaning on 'em for 3 quarters. That's when you expect Willie to break a 50 yarder, and Cowher hasn't been doing that much this year. Last week vs. Denver, Pitt had the ball for like 20 straight minutes in the 1st half. Denvers D HAD TO BE winded and that would have been the perfect time to grind it w/ the Bus and take the fight out of the D for the rest of the game. Didn't happen. This is my only concern coming into this Super Bowl. Which back gets the call. In my opinion, one is right & one is wrong.

 

[Irish]

I do agree that it has a lot to do w/ how the other team is scheming their D. As a Steeler fan, I have been a little concerned w/ the running game though. I don't think Parker is the answer. He seems to go down too easily on the 1st contact. Seattle is a little smaller up front, but very quick. They WILL make contact w/ the RB and I'm not so sure FWP is going to get it done. Being last game of his career and in his hometown, I REALLY hope Cowher gives Bettis the start. He'll leave it all on the field, and all over Tatupu. I'm positive Bus runs w/ a fire we have not seen in 6 or 7 years. Parker reminds me of Zereoue. A quick little dude that excels once the D is weak in the knees from Smith, Faneca, Hartings, Simmons, Starks, Miller, Kreider and a 255 lb TAILBACK leaning on 'em for 3 quarters. That's when you expect Willie to break a 50 yarder, and Cowher hasn't been doing that much this year. Last week vs. Denver, Pitt had the ball for like 20 straight minutes in the 1st half. Denvers D HAD TO BE winded and that would have been the perfect time to grind it w/ the Bus and take the fight out of the D for the rest of the game. Didn't happen. This is my only concern coming into this Super Bowl. Which back gets the call. In my opinion, one is right & one is wrong.

I thought FWP was running great at the end of the reg season, but in the playoffs I see a rb that shys away from contact. Let's ride the Bus to the Lombardi Trophy.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

The public perception seems to be that the Steelers are this tremendous running force that grinds opponents into the ground but have defied all convention in their playoff drive by abandoning the run and going pass first.

But in looking at their recent stretch drive that began with Big Ben’s return at Indy on Nov. 28, I see a team that struggles to run the ball, particularly early and in close games. Where they do find some success on the ground is late when they have a lead and are trying to secure victory.

Despite playing some very average run defenses (measured by ypc), I only find three games in the past 9 since Ben's return where the Steelers’ average ypc was greater than their opponent’s season average.

Vs. Indy, the #28 team in the NFL at 4.4 ypc, the Steelers averaged 3.4 and 2.7 in two games

Vs. Denver, the #17 team at 4.0 ypc, Pitt averaged 2.7 ypc

Vs. Cincy, the #26 team at 4.3 ypc, Pitt averaged 3.4 and 4.2 in two games

Vs. Minnesota, the #16 team at 4.0, Pitt averaged 3.6

The Steelers were impressive vs. Chicago, the NFL’s #8 team in ypc allowed, gaining an average of 4.1 yards on a whopping 46 rushes vs. a team that allowed 3.7 ypc all season

The other two times they exceeded an opponent’s average ypc was in getting 4.5 ypc vs. Detroit (#22; 4.2 ypc) and Cleveland, where an 80-yard Willie Parker run fueled the Steelers’ 6.0 ypc vs. the Browns (#23, 4.2 ypc).

That’s why I’m so baffled that everyone seems so surprised that the Steelers have come out as a pass-first team in the playoffs. It seems like that’s the only way they can move the ball!

I’ve been very impressed with Seattle’s defensive game planning in the playoffs, and I think they’re going to line up and challenge Pittsburgh’s running game to beat their front 7 and key on the Steelers’ passing attack. I just don’t think the Pittsburgh run game is playing anywhere near well enough to sustain scoring drives.

When a team pretty much sells out to stop it, the Steelers just switch gears, and that is the difference between last year and this year. I hope Seattle thinks the Steelers can't run and put 7 in the box.....:lickschops:

I've been away 24 hours but there is always a lot of humor on this forum.

 

[Godsbrother]

I'm a little concerned with FWPs fumbles last week. Fortunately neither was lost but turnovers are going to be huge in this game. The Seahawks are too good of a team to be giving them the ball.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Seattle outgained opponents 2,457 to 1,510 in rushing yards and 29 to 5 in rushing TDs.  I think they'll be fine.

that's a net difference of 947 yards. In their games against Houston, Tennessee, and the sorry excuse for a division they play in (AZ, STL, SF x2 each) they had a difference of 879 yards net rushing, leaving less than 70 yards differerence in the other 8 games. They beat up some pretty sorry teams to get most of that big rushing advantage.

Beat me to the punch.

Yup, that is why I took Alexander #1 in my fantasy draft (and won BTW ).Here are the rank by week run defenses they faced this year(some weeks might be switched around, but rank of D is right)

14

26

10

28

13

32

15

10

28

12

18

21

16

18

22

23

9 out of 16 are in the bottom half of the league in run D, and 1/4 of the schedule was against the "bottom bucket" run defenses. Not saying they can't run it well, but...

Since Seattle was #3 in Rush offense did it ever cross your mind that a team would drop in the ranking having played the Seahawks? Arizona would have been 3rd or 4th against the run if Seattle wouldn't have mashed them twice (163 and 208). Take those two games out and average the other 14 games and it comes to 90 yards a game. That would be the 4th best in the NFL. Here's one stat other stat: Carolina 4th in Rush D in the regular season, for 190 yards in the NFC Championship Game. I think Pittsburgh's D is good, but it's no better than Carolina.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The public perception seems to be that the Steelers are this tremendous running force that grinds opponents into the ground but have defied all convention in their playoff drive by abandoning the run and going pass first.

But in looking at their recent stretch drive that began with Big Ben’s return at Indy on Nov. 28, I see a team that struggles to run the ball, particularly early and in close games. Where they do find some success on the ground is late when they have a lead and are trying to secure victory.

Despite playing some very average run defenses (measured by ypc), I only find three games in the past 9 since Ben's return where the Steelers’ average ypc was greater than their opponent’s season average.

Vs. Indy, the #28 team in the NFL at 4.4 ypc, the Steelers averaged 3.4 and 2.7 in two games

Vs. Denver, the #17 team at 4.0 ypc, Pitt averaged 2.7 ypc

Vs. Cincy, the #26 team at 4.3 ypc, Pitt averaged 3.4 and 4.2 in two games

Vs. Minnesota, the #16 team at 4.0, Pitt averaged 3.6

The Steelers were impressive vs. Chicago, the NFL’s #8 team in ypc allowed, gaining an average of 4.1 yards on a whopping 46 rushes vs. a team that allowed 3.7 ypc all season

The other two times they exceeded an opponent’s average ypc was in getting 4.5 ypc vs. Detroit (#22; 4.2 ypc) and Cleveland, where an 80-yard Willie Parker run fueled the Steelers’ 6.0 ypc vs. the Browns (#23, 4.2 ypc).

That’s why I’m so baffled that everyone seems so surprised that the Steelers have come out as a pass-first team in the playoffs. It seems like that’s the only way they can move the ball!

I’ve been very impressed with Seattle’s defensive game planning in the playoffs, and I think they’re going to line up and challenge Pittsburgh’s running game to beat their front 7 and key on the Steelers’ passing attack. I just don’t think the Pittsburgh run game is playing anywhere near well enough to sustain scoring drives.

When a team pretty much sells out to stop it, the Steelers just switch gears, and that is the difference between last year and this year. I hope Seattle thinks the Steelers can't run and put 7 in the box.....:lickschops:

I've been away 24 hours but there is always a lot of humor on this forum.

I'm not getting the humor. I think the Steelers will eat them up if they play 7 in the box. I guarantee you'll see at least 8 on first and second downs all game long.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

The public perception seems to be that the Steelers are this tremendous running force that grinds opponents into the ground but have defied all convention in their playoff drive by abandoning the run and going pass first.

But in looking at their recent stretch drive that began with Big Ben’s return at Indy on Nov. 28, I see a team that struggles to run the ball, particularly early and in close games. Where they do find some success on the ground is late when they have a lead and are trying to secure victory.

Despite playing some very average run defenses (measured by ypc), I only find three games in the past 9 since Ben's return where the Steelers’ average ypc was greater than their opponent’s season average.

Vs. Indy, the #28 team in the NFL at 4.4 ypc, the Steelers averaged 3.4 and 2.7 in two games

Vs. Denver, the #17 team at 4.0 ypc, Pitt averaged 2.7 ypc

Vs. Cincy, the #26 team at 4.3 ypc, Pitt averaged 3.4 and 4.2 in two games

Vs. Minnesota, the #16 team at 4.0, Pitt averaged 3.6

The Steelers were impressive vs. Chicago, the NFL’s #8 team in ypc allowed, gaining an average of 4.1 yards on a whopping 46 rushes vs. a team that allowed 3.7 ypc all season

The other two times they exceeded an opponent’s average ypc was in getting 4.5 ypc vs. Detroit (#22; 4.2 ypc) and Cleveland, where an 80-yard Willie Parker run fueled the Steelers’ 6.0 ypc vs. the Browns (#23, 4.2 ypc).

That’s why I’m so baffled that everyone seems so surprised that the Steelers have come out as a pass-first team in the playoffs. It seems like that’s the only way they can move the ball!

I’ve been very impressed with Seattle’s defensive game planning in the playoffs, and I think they’re going to line up and challenge Pittsburgh’s running game to beat their front 7 and key on the Steelers’ passing attack. I just don’t think the Pittsburgh run game is playing anywhere near well enough to sustain scoring drives.

When a team pretty much sells out to stop it, the Steelers just switch gears, and that is the difference between last year and this year. I hope Seattle thinks the Steelers can't run and put 7 in the box.....:lickschops:

I've been away 24 hours but there is always a lot of humor on this forum.

I'm not getting the humor. I think the Steelers will eat them up if they play 7 in the box. I guarantee you'll see at least 8 on first and second downs all game long.

If we are talking watching what FWP is doing then I agree. But if Fatboy is back there all you need is someone to lay someone flat at the line of scrimmage for a one yard gain. FWP is the guy in this game that worries me most but Tatupu and hill are fast trackers. The way I see it is if Clinton Portis can't run on Seattle, then I'm not that worried and putting 9 or more in the box to stop that running game to me, is funny.

 

[TheLaw]

The public perception seems to be that the Steelers are this tremendous running force that grinds opponents into the ground but have defied all convention in their playoff drive by abandoning the run and going pass first.

But in looking at their recent stretch drive that began with Big Ben’s return at Indy on Nov. 28, I see a team that struggles to run the ball, particularly early and in close games. Where they do find some success on the ground is late when they have a lead and are trying to secure victory.

Despite playing some very average run defenses (measured by ypc), I only find three games in the past 9 since Ben's return where the Steelers’ average ypc was greater than their opponent’s season average.

Vs. Indy, the #28 team in the NFL at 4.4 ypc, the Steelers averaged 3.4 and 2.7 in two games

Vs. Denver, the #17 team at 4.0 ypc, Pitt averaged 2.7 ypc

Vs. Cincy, the #26 team at 4.3 ypc, Pitt averaged 3.4 and 4.2 in two games

Vs. Minnesota, the #16 team at 4.0, Pitt averaged 3.6

The Steelers were impressive vs. Chicago, the NFL’s #8 team in ypc allowed, gaining an average of 4.1 yards on a whopping 46 rushes vs. a team that allowed 3.7 ypc all season

The other two times they exceeded an opponent’s average ypc was in getting 4.5 ypc vs. Detroit (#22; 4.2 ypc) and Cleveland, where an 80-yard Willie Parker run fueled the Steelers’ 6.0 ypc vs. the Browns (#23, 4.2 ypc).

That’s why I’m so baffled that everyone seems so surprised that the Steelers have come out as a pass-first team in the playoffs. It seems like that’s the only way they can move the ball!

I’ve been very impressed with Seattle’s defensive game planning in the playoffs, and I think they’re going to line up and challenge Pittsburgh’s running game to beat their front 7 and key on the Steelers’ passing attack. I just don’t think the Pittsburgh run game is playing anywhere near well enough to sustain scoring drives.

When a team pretty much sells out to stop it, the Steelers just switch gears, and that is the difference between last year and this year. I hope Seattle thinks the Steelers can't run and put 7 in the box.....:lickschops:

I've been away 24 hours but there is always a lot of humor on this forum.

I'm not getting the humor. I think the Steelers will eat them up if they play 7 in the box. I guarantee you'll see at least 8 on first and second downs all game long.

If we are talking watching what FWP is doing then I agree. But if Fatboy is back there all you need is someone to lay someone flat at the line of scrimmage for a one yard gain. FWP is the guy in this game that worries me most but Tatupu and hill are fast trackers. The way I see it is if Clinton Portis can't run on Seattle, then I'm not that worried and putting 9 or more in the box to stop that running game to me, is funny.

I pray you are on Mike Holmgren's speed dial.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The public perception seems to be that the Steelers are this tremendous running force that grinds opponents into the ground but have defied all convention in their playoff drive by abandoning the run and going pass first.

But in looking at their recent stretch drive that began with Big Ben’s return at Indy on Nov. 28, I see a team that struggles to run the ball, particularly early and in close games. Where they do find some success on the ground is late when they have a lead and are trying to secure victory.

Despite playing some very average run defenses (measured by ypc), I only find three games in the past 9 since Ben's return where the Steelers’ average ypc was greater than their opponent’s season average.

Vs. Indy, the #28 team in the NFL at 4.4 ypc, the Steelers averaged 3.4 and 2.7 in two games

Vs. Denver, the #17 team at 4.0 ypc, Pitt averaged 2.7 ypc

Vs. Cincy, the #26 team at 4.3 ypc, Pitt averaged 3.4 and 4.2 in two games

Vs. Minnesota, the #16 team at 4.0, Pitt averaged 3.6

The Steelers were impressive vs. Chicago, the NFL’s #8 team in ypc allowed, gaining an average of 4.1 yards on a whopping 46 rushes vs. a team that allowed 3.7 ypc all season

The other two times they exceeded an opponent’s average ypc was in getting 4.5 ypc vs. Detroit (#22; 4.2 ypc) and Cleveland, where an 80-yard Willie Parker run fueled the Steelers’ 6.0 ypc vs. the Browns (#23, 4.2 ypc).

That’s why I’m so baffled that everyone seems so surprised that the Steelers have come out as a pass-first team in the playoffs. It seems like that’s the only way they can move the ball!

I’ve been very impressed with Seattle’s defensive game planning in the playoffs, and I think they’re going to line up and challenge Pittsburgh’s running game to beat their front 7 and key on the Steelers’ passing attack. I just don’t think the Pittsburgh run game is playing anywhere near well enough to sustain scoring drives.

When a team pretty much sells out to stop it, the Steelers just switch gears, and that is the difference between last year and this year. I hope Seattle thinks the Steelers can't run and put 7 in the box.....:lickschops:

I've been away 24 hours but there is always a lot of humor on this forum.

I'm not getting the humor. I think the Steelers will eat them up if they play 7 in the box. I guarantee you'll see at least 8 on first and second downs all game long.

If we are talking watching what FWP is doing then I agree. But if Fatboy is back there all you need is someone to lay someone flat at the line of scrimmage for a one yard gain. FWP is the guy in this game that worries me most but Tatupu and hill are fast trackers. The way I see it is if Clinton Portis can't run on Seattle, then I'm not that worried and putting 9 or more in the box to stop that running game to me, is funny.

I pray you are on Mike Holmgren's speed dial.

That makes two of us.