Let's Talk PIT Passing Game vs OAK... (1 Viewer)

[RamMan]

OAK is currently allowing only 185 passing yrds per game (#2 in the league). While they dont have alot of picks (only 5) they do have 27 sacks, also #2 in the league. What can we exepct out of the PIT passing game on Sunday? I don't see the Raiders offenese doing much vs the PIT D either , so this could be a real grinder on the ground. Prolly won't be the need for Ben to air it out much if they're not playing from behind. Vegas has the over/under at 41, so they're not expecting offenseive fireworks either. The only plus for PIT is that OAK has given up 16 TD's thru the air this season, 6th most in the land.

I think around 230 yrds for Big Ben, perhaps a TD or 2 is a reasonable prediction. Anyone know who Nnamdi will be covering (Hines, if he's playing, or Wallace)? How do you see this playing out?

 

[TheCommish]

As a Hines Ward owner, I hope Nnamdi covers Wallace.

As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I hope he covers Ward.

Wallace has proven over the last month or so that he is the biggest threat in the passing game for Pittsburgh, and it's not even close.

 

[Waiverhawk]

As a Hines Ward owner, I hope Nnamdi covers Wallace.As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I hope he covers Ward.Wallace has proven over the last month or so that he is the biggest threat in the passing game for Pittsburgh, and it's not even close.

As a Ben & Wallace owner....I'm hoping the Raiders D is a flop.

 

[RamMan]

As a Hines Ward owner, I hope Nnamdi covers Wallace.As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I hope he covers Ward.Wallace has proven over the last month or so that he is the biggest threat in the passing game for Pittsburgh, and it's not even close.

Yup, I'm a Wallace owner and also trying to get a read on his chances this week. I can't remember if Nnamdi sswitches sides to cover a specific WR, or plays one side of the field or the other exculsively. If he sticks with one guy, I'm guessing it will be Wallace considering what he's done the past few weeks. I'm assuming OAK would rather take their chnaces of getting dinked and dunked by Ward all day rather than giving up the home run to Wallace. FWIW, both Dodds and Bloom have Wallace ranked as the #17 and #19 WR this week with Hines at #32 and #46.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I think the Pitt O is a shambles with the health of the O line. I think the Raiders D line is turning into a nasty unit that can give Pitt some problems. Add to that Aaron Smith on IR and the Pitt run D is not nearly so formidable. Raiders are on an upswing and the Steelers on on a downswing. This game could surprise a lot of folks this weekend.

Asomugha will probably stay on the offenses left all game (if he is even able to play) and more often than not that is where Wallace lines up. Aso will only shadow a true stud, like an AJ or Calvin type and has only done so once or twice IIRC. I doubt he shadows a Steeler WR. Even if Scrabble goes, he'll likely be less than 100% and Wallace could very well get behind him and the safeties, I just don't know if Ben will have enough time to get his WRs deep.

 

[pack100]

Raiders D has been getting after it and they are coming off a bye so they are rested. I expect pressure on Ben but that is when he is at his best. This should be a tough physical smash mouth running adventure... I have S. Hill and considering going with him. He is throwing it 30 times a game. FF drives me nuts.

 

[UnderDawgs]

As a Hines Ward owner, I hope Nnamdi covers Wallace.As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I hope he covers Ward.Wallace has proven over the last month or so that he is the biggest threat in the passing game for Pittsburgh, and it's not even close.

As a Ben & Wallace owner....I'm hoping the Raiders D is a flop.

Me too!

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Have a feeling Wallace will be held in check this week but he can't be benched. He's in the DeSean Jackson category of receivers who put up 90 yards and a touchdown in the blink of an eye.

 

[pecorino]

steelers fan here--i think they'll try to play this game close to the vest. protect hines ward and ben, run the ball, win it with defense and special teams. the OLine is a shambles. i'm expecting a low-scoring game and would probably only recommend playing mendenhall and/or the steelers defense.

 

[Godsbrother]

Add to that Aaron Smith on IR

Cookie, do you know something the rest of doesn't know? Did I miss where Smith has been placed on IR?

 

[CowboysFromHell]

steelers fan here--i think they'll try to play this game close to the vest. protect hines ward and ben, run the ball, win it with defense and special teams. the OLine is a shambles. i'm expecting a low-scoring game and would probably only recommend playing mendenhall and/or the steelers defense.

Can't say I disagree, this may very well be the game plan. However, the Steelers will almost surely take a few shots deep with Wallace. The question is, what will he do with those opportunities?

 

[Godsbrother]

If Kemeaotu comes back then the o-line should be improved from last week. I expect the Steelers are going to try and get back to the running game and this time stick with it. Of course if they get behind like last week...

 

[Cookiemonster]

Add to that Aaron Smith on IR

Cookie, do you know something the rest of doesn't know? Did I miss where Smith has been placed on IR?

No, not officially. He's just out for the foreseeable future and I don't expect him back this year. Run D suffers sooooooo much without him in the lineup.

 

[Godsbrother]

Add to that Aaron Smith on IR

Cookie, do you know something the rest of doesn't know? Did I miss where Smith has been placed on IR?

No, not officially. He's just out for the foreseeable future and I don't expect him back this year. Run D suffers sooooooo much without him in the lineup.

Okay I am glad to hear that Smith has not been officially put on the IR.The Steelers, under Colbert, have been pretty quick to move someone to the IR if they feel he can't come back. Considering all of the injuries to the OL and DL I am guessing that roster spots are a precious commodity for the Steelers and they wouldn't hold a spot for Smith unless they felt there was a good chance he could return.

They recently lost 4th round pick Thaddeus Gibson because they needed to a roster spot when they could have just moved Smith to the IR so I am hopeful he'll be able to return sometime this season. Ziggy has been a bust thus far and both Smith and Keisel have been sorely missed. Fortunately it sounds like Keisel could be back as soon as this week.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Raiders D has been getting after it and they are coming off a bye so they are rested. I expect pressure on Ben but that is when he is at his best. This should be a tough physical smash mouth running adventure... I have S. Hill and considering going with him. He is throwing it 30 times a game. FF drives me nuts.

I have the same decision. I was leaning towards Hill.. after reading this thread..Hill it is over Ben.

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

Raiders D has been getting after it and they are coming off a bye so they are rested. I expect pressure on Ben but that is when he is at his best. This should be a tough physical smash mouth running adventure... I have S. Hill and considering going with him. He is throwing it 30 times a game. FF drives me nuts.

I have the same decision. I was leaning towards Hill.. after reading this thread..Hill it is over Ben.

I'm gonna have to go with you guys on this one as well.

 

[RamMan]

Wallace has been $$$ since Ben returned and darn near unbenchable (and I love his skill set) but I'm not sure I can start him this week (I've also got Fitz, Holmes, and Manningham in a start 3 league). Yeah, he MIGHT slip behind the defense for a couple of big plays but I just dont see that he'll get nearly the # of targets or oppty's he has been - primarily because I don't see PIT playing from behind in this game. With Nnamdi in the mix, as much as I truly hate to bench Wallace, I think I need to be pragamtic here and sit him down.

 

[solorca]

Given Ward's performance recently (and his injury), I would probably bench him against anyone...but against Oakland, I'm definitely benching him.