*** SUPER BOWL XL *** (1 Viewer)

[tommyboy]

Please they are playing a strong AFC team now.

Check the SOS.

I think they said the same thing about the Rams a few years back. If you make it to the super bowl, you belong there. Unless you are the Baltimore Ravens or New York Giants.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Please they are playing a strong AFC team now.

Check the SOS.

I thought this SOS stuff was over but we have Rhodes Scholars still tied to a meaningless stat. Did Washington's SOS of .539 do them any good? Did the Pats .508 get them back to the Super Bowl?Pittsburgh and Seattle have beaten two teams each with better SOS's than they had in the regular season. Both teams have also beaten two opponents with a better SOV than they had in these playoffs.

Strength of victory for the playoff teams:

WAS .500

Denver .471

TB .426

NYG .432

Indy .424

PITT .415

CAR .409

SEA .404

NE .400

JAX .375

Cincy .398

CHI .398

So according to strength of schedule the Skins and Pats should be in the Super Bowl.

According to SOV It should be Washington and Denver.

SOS and SOV mean nothing at this point in the season when the two teams have a two week break and are on hot streaks. Steelers have won 7 in a row, 5 of those on the road and Seattle has won 13 of 14.

SOS and SOV are statistically insignificant as both Pittsburgh and Seattle have already proved.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I think they have a better offensive line, and I think its going to be almost impossible for the Steelers to rush Hasselbeck.   This is a major concern for Pittsburgh.

This is my biggest concern. Seattle has faced zone blitz schemes only a few times in past couple of years. The last one I remember off the top of my head was New England during the regular season last year. None this year at all.They've got two weeks to study, plan, and prepare. They did a heck of a job scheming to shut down Steve Smith yesterday. That was just sick. I think John Marshall (acting defense coordinator) gets credit for that. Not sure how the guys on the offensive side will adjust.

Seattles front four put a lot of pressure on an offensive line, which allows them to drop guys into the secondary and still get some penetration and pressure on the QB. That's how they could shadow Smith around all day, they had bodies available in the secondary. in order for Pittsburgh to exploit that, they would have to dominate at the point of attack and suck up some big chunks of yardage on the ground early in the game. That would force seattle to committ 8 guys to the line and force Rothlisberger to beat them over the top. That hasn't worked so far for Indy or Denver, so kudos to Rothlisberger and his recievers.

If the Seahawks DON'T commit 8 men to the box, the Steelers will run it down their throats until they do. Any defense will struggle to stop the Steelers from running the ball without bringing an extra safety up for support.When they finally bring up the safety, Ben will make them pay the way he did against the Bengals, Colts, and Broncos. It's a very, very dangerous offense right now, and easily the best, most balanced Steelers offense I've seen in a LONG time, possibly ever.

This is likely going to be the best offense - or at least damn close - Seattle has faced all year because they're not one dimensional and will run or pass depending on what the defense is giving. And they're good at both.

Of course, Seattle's offense is right there with Cincy and Indy as the best offenses they've faced this year, so it's going to be one helluva matchup on both sides of the ball. I'll be interested to see what kind of blitzing looks LeBeau comes up with to get to Hasselbeck.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

I think they have a better offensive line, and I think its going to be almost impossible for the Steelers to rush Hasselbeck.  This is a major concern for Pittsburgh.

This is my biggest concern. Seattle has faced zone blitz schemes only a few times in past couple of years. The last one I remember off the top of my head was New England during the regular season last year. None this year at all.

This is the along the lines of what I was thinking about earlier today.How many (if any) 3-4 defenses did the 'Hawks play this year?

HOU 42-10 SEA win

DAL 13-10 SEA win

@SF 27-25 SEA win

SF 41-3 win

Pretty good results, but I'd hardly consider those to be elite defenses....

SD & PIT seem to be two of the elite 3-4 defenses (throw NE into that mix) when it comes to the zone blitz schemes. Very hard to prepare for if you haven't seen it all season.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with that matchup. PIT D vs. SEA O

 

[BigTuna]

Please they are playing a strong AFC team now.

Check the SOS.

I thought this SOS stuff was over but we have Rhodes Scholars still tied to a meaningless stat. Did Washington's SOS of .539 do them any good? Did the Pats .508 get them back to the Super Bowl?Pittsburgh and Seattle have beaten two teams each with better SOS's than they had in the regular season. Both teams have also beaten two opponents with a better SOV than they had in these playoffs.

Strength of victory for the playoff teams:

WAS .500

Denver .471

TB .426

NYG .432

Indy .424

PITT .415

CAR .409

SEA .404

NE .400

JAX .375

Cincy .398

CHI .398

So according to strength of schedule the Skins and Pats should be in the Super Bowl.

According to SOV It should be Washington and Denver.

SOS and SOV mean nothing at this point in the season when the two teams have a two week break and are on hot streaks. Steelers have won 7 in a row, 5 of those on the road and Seattle has won 13 of 14.

SOS and SOV are statistically insignificant as both Pittsburgh and Seattle have already proved.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

I think they have a better offensive line, and I think its going to be almost impossible for the Steelers to rush Hasselbeck.   This is a major concern for Pittsburgh.

This is my biggest concern. Seattle has faced zone blitz schemes only a few times in past couple of years. The last one I remember off the top of my head was New England during the regular season last year. None this year at all.

This is the along the lines of what I was thinking about earlier today.How many (if any) 3-4 defenses did the 'Hawks play this year?

HOU 42-10 SEA win

DAL 13-10 SEA win

@SF 27-25 SEA win

SF 41-3 win

Pretty good results, but I'd hardly consider those to be elite defenses....

SD & PIT seem to be two of the elite 3-4 defenses (throw NE into that mix) when it comes to the zone blitz schemes. Very hard to prepare for if you haven't seen it all season.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with that matchup. PIT D vs. SEA O

Tom Jackson and someone else said the two week break will benefit Seattle more because they need to prepare for that Steeler scheme. Seattle will make teams pay if they blitz and unlike the Colts, the Hawks line can manage a great rush. Washington is a defense that compares to Pittsburgh as far as complicated and complete sets. They get to the ball very fast and they close quickly. It's going to be a real challenge for Seattle and I'm glad there is two weeks to figure a few things out.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Gotta go with the Seahawks since they have a couple of local boys leading the way on offense and defense.Hasselbeck and Tatupu will make Cowher froth at the mouth (more so than normal).Pittsburgh's cinderella story ends at SB XL. Nice run while it lasted.

 

[Smoo]

Pittsburgh's a better team than Carolina. So I'm going to reflect that in my predictions. I think the Steelers are good enough to almost get two FGs, and they may even hold the 'Hawks under a C-note.Conservative guess:Seattle 97Pittsburgh 5

 

[Ghost Rider]

My early thought is I think the Steelers will win, but it is notable that Denver was running the ball pretty well yesterday before falling way behind. If Seattle doesn't get behind early, it will be interesting to see how Shaun Alexander and that great O-line do against that Steelers 'D'.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

SO looking forward to this Superbowl. XL The only time those freaking roman numerals look cool. Both teams deserve it.

I think the Steelers are going to win it - but I want the Seahags to take it all.

I want them to win by twice the points that any potential blown call could have produced. I want them to score so quickly it becomes a new metaphor for any sport ("The Spurs opened the game by going completely 'Seahawks' on the Jazz!"). I want them to win so convincingly that future teams will be encouraged by the sight of terrible towels. I want them to cause so much utter destruction that people will actually turn to Pat Robertson for a logical explanation.

But I think the Steelers are going to win.

Good luck Seattle

 

[Blackhawk 69]

Please they are playing a strong AFC team now.

Check the SOS.

I thought this SOS stuff was over but we have Rhodes Scholars still tied to a meaningless stat. Did Washington's SOS of .539 do them any good? Did the Pats .508 get them back to the Super Bowl?Pittsburgh and Seattle have beaten two teams each with better SOS's than they had in the regular season. Both teams have also beaten two opponents with a better SOV than they had in these playoffs.

Strength of victory for the playoff teams:

WAS .500

Denver .471

TB .426

NYG .432

Indy .424

PITT .415

CAR .409

SEA .404

NE .400

JAX .375

Cincy .398

CHI .398

So according to strength of schedule the Skins and Pats should be in the Super Bowl.

According to SOV It should be Washington and Denver.

SOS and SOV mean nothing at this point in the season when the two teams have a two week break and are on hot streaks. Steelers have won 7 in a row, 5 of those on the road and Seattle has won 13 of 14.

SOS and SOV are statistically insignificant as both Pittsburgh and Seattle have already proved.

Nice dodge. SOS doesn't matter. here look at something I can twist to a win.

 

[Blackhawk 69]

I think they have a better offensive line, and I think its going to be almost impossible for the Steelers to rush Hasselbeck. This is a major concern for Pittsburgh.

This is my biggest concern. Seattle has faced zone blitz schemes only a few times in past couple of years. The last one I remember off the top of my head was New England during the regular season last year. None this year at all.

This is the along the lines of what I was thinking about earlier today.How many (if any) 3-4 defenses did the 'Hawks play this year?

HOU 42-10 SEA win

DAL 13-10 SEA win

@SF 27-25 SEA win

SF 41-3 win

Pretty good results, but I'd hardly consider those to be elite defenses....

SD & PIT seem to be two of the elite 3-4 defenses (throw NE into that mix) when it comes to the zone blitz schemes. Very hard to prepare for if you haven't seen it all season.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with that matchup. PIT D vs. SEA O

Damn the NFL channel must have lied to us. they said that Seattle played 1 (one) 3-4 D this year Dallas and they were losing for 59 min. then they scored 10 points to win.

 

[steeltime]

Steelers will defianatley take it. There has been NO answer for them this post season. I dont see what the Seahawks will bring to the table to stop Big Ben and the Steelers

 

[falconeyed]

Steelers will defianatley take it. There has been NO answer for them this post season. I dont see what the Seahawks will bring to the table to stop Big Ben and the Steelers

Try the league MVP, a dominant OL and a QB with a 75% completion percentage. Should be a good game. SEA 27 PIT 21.

 

[Smoo]

I dont see what the Seahawks will bring to the table to stop Big Ben and the Steelers

About a 50% effort.They'll bring a 100% effort if they want to absolutely humiliate them.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Please they are playing a strong AFC team now.

Check the SOS.

I thought this SOS stuff was over but we have Rhodes Scholars still tied to a meaningless stat. Did Washington's SOS of .539 do them any good? Did the Pats .508 get them back to the Super Bowl?Pittsburgh and Seattle have beaten two teams each with better SOS's than they had in the regular season. Both teams have also beaten two opponents with a better SOV than they had in these playoffs.

Strength of victory for the playoff teams:

WAS .500

Denver .471

TB .426

NYG .432

Indy .424

PITT .415

CAR .409

SEA .404

NE .400

JAX .375

Cincy .398

CHI .398

So according to strength of schedule the Skins and Pats should be in the Super Bowl.

According to SOV It should be Washington and Denver.

SOS and SOV mean nothing at this point in the season when the two teams have a two week break and are on hot streaks. Steelers have won 7 in a row, 5 of those on the road and Seattle has won 13 of 14.

SOS and SOV are statistically insignificant as both Pittsburgh and Seattle have already proved.

Nice dodge. SOS doesn't matter. here look at something I can twist to a win.

I'm glad your first season as a football fan went so well. Along with the NFL channel I recommned FOX Sports radio, individual team sites, and the guy at the bar who always is talking about "YAC" as official sources of information. Happy to have you aboard.

 

[Seehawk]

If the Seahawks DON'T commit 8 men to the box, the Steelers will run it down their throats until they do. Any defense will struggle to stop the Steelers from running the ball without bringing an extra safety up for support.

When they finally bring up the safety, Ben will make them pay the way he did against the Bengals, Colts, and Broncos. It's a very, very dangerous offense right now, and easily the best, most balanced Steelers offense I've seen in a LONG time, possibly ever.

I think it's interesting that so many people are talking about the big, bad Steeler rushing attack but fail to notice it won't be the best rushing attack on the field come superbowl sunday.Alexander is the league MVP. 1880 yards, 5.1 ypc and more TDs then any RB in history.

As a team the Seahawks averaged 4.7ypc, 153.6 ypg.

The Steelers averaged 4.0ypc and 138.9 ypg.

Everything you say about the Steelers offense is true. A solid rushing attack that if you over compensate to stop will burn you with a highly accurate passing attack. Problem is....you can say the same for Seattle AND they do it BETTER. Seattle has a better rushing attack (better average, more yards, more TDs) and a better passing game (higher completion percentage, more yards, more TDs)

So it's not so much that I dissagree with your points....I agree with every one of them. But you've got a bit of tunnel vision by not recognizing that that the Seahawks can do everything the Steelers can do....and they do it better.

I've never uttered the dreaded "we get no respect" line before in my life but I am really shocked at just how overlooked the Seahawks are this year. I guess it's another product of the east coast, New York centered, media. It simply doesn't occur to a lot of people that a good team....perhaps the BEST team....can exist outside of the east coast corridor.

Eric

The Seehawk

 

[Mik789fl]

If the Seahawks DON'T commit 8 men to the box, the Steelers will run it down their throats until they do.  Any defense will struggle to stop the Steelers from running the ball without bringing an extra safety up for support.

When they finally bring up the safety, Ben will make them pay the way he did against the Bengals, Colts, and Broncos.  It's a very, very dangerous offense right now, and easily the best, most balanced Steelers offense I've seen in a LONG time, possibly ever. 

I think it's interesting that so many people are talking about the big, bad Steeler rushing attack but fail to notice it won't be the best rushing attack on the field come superbowl sunday.Alexander is the league MVP. 1880 yards, 5.1 ypc and more TDs then any RB in history.

As a team the Seahawks averaged 4.7ypc, 153.6 ypg.

The Steelers averaged 4.0ypc and 138.9 ypg.

Everything you say about the Steelers offense is true. A solid rushing attack that if you over compensate to stop will burn you with a highly accurate passing attack. Problem is....you can say the same for Seattle AND they do it BETTER. Seattle has a better rushing attack (better average, more yards, more TDs) and a better passing game (higher completion percentage, more yards, more TDs)

So it's not so much that I dissagree with your points....I agree with every one of them. But you've got a bit of tunnel vision by not recognizing that that the Seahawks can do everything the Steelers can do....and they do it better.

I've never uttered the dreaded "we get no respect" line before in my life but I am really shocked at just how overlooked the Seahawks are this year. I guess it's another product of the east coast, New York centered, media. It simply doesn't occur to a lot of people that a good team....perhaps the BEST team....can exist outside of the east coast corridor.

Eric

The Seehawk

Very true,as an impartial observer(not a fan of either team) I'd agree that Seattle's offense is better than the Steelers,even as well as they've been playing,however,the two offenses will not be lined up opposite each other come game day. Seattle's defense is underated,Pittsburgh's is a high risk high reward type of D rather than a shut-down type. So many times in a Super Bowl the game is decided by the team that not only prepares better but then EXECUTES that game plan better. Thus we get the "genius" of (fill in the blank) every year.This should be an entertaining game. Who will execute better on game day? That remains to be seen. Right now I'd give an ever so slight edge to the Steelers,but two weeks is an eternity in the NFL.

 

[apalmer]

I think they have a better offensive line, and I think its going to be almost impossible for the Steelers to rush Hasselbeck.  This is a major concern for Pittsburgh.

This is my biggest concern. Seattle has faced zone blitz schemes only a few times in past couple of years. The last one I remember off the top of my head was New England during the regular season last year. None this year at all.

This is the along the lines of what I was thinking about earlier today.How many (if any) 3-4 defenses did the 'Hawks play this year?

HOU 42-10 SEA win

DAL 13-10 SEA win

@SF 27-25 SEA win

SF 41-3 win

Pretty good results, but I'd hardly consider those to be elite defenses....

SD & PIT seem to be two of the elite 3-4 defenses (throw NE into that mix) when it comes to the zone blitz schemes. Very hard to prepare for if you haven't seen it all season.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with that matchup. PIT D vs. SEA O

Damn the NFL channel must have lied to us. they said that Seattle played 1 (one) 3-4 D this year Dallas and they were losing for 59 min. then they scored 10 points to win.

Probably not counting Houston and SF as "NFL Teams", no matter what defense they play.

 

[seahawk 17]

New FBG's rule.Once you make the Super Bowl, you can no longer talk about SOS.Pretty soon we will bring up the... You were lucky to beat Washington......You were lucky to beat Carolina. :X

 

[Steelers4Life]

If the Seahawks DON'T commit 8 men to the box, the Steelers will run it down their throats until they do.  Any defense will struggle to stop the Steelers from running the ball without bringing an extra safety up for support.

When they finally bring up the safety, Ben will make them pay the way he did against the Bengals, Colts, and Broncos.  It's a very, very dangerous offense right now, and easily the best, most balanced Steelers offense I've seen in a LONG time, possibly ever. 

I think it's interesting that so many people are talking about the big, bad Steeler rushing attack but fail to notice it won't be the best rushing attack on the field come superbowl sunday.Alexander is the league MVP. 1880 yards, 5.1 ypc and more TDs then any RB in history.

As a team the Seahawks averaged 4.7ypc, 153.6 ypg.

The Steelers averaged 4.0ypc and 138.9 ypg.

Everything you say about the Steelers offense is true. A solid rushing attack that if you over compensate to stop will burn you with a highly accurate passing attack. Problem is....you can say the same for Seattle AND they do it BETTER. Seattle has a better rushing attack (better average, more yards, more TDs) and a better passing game (higher completion percentage, more yards, more TDs)

So it's not so much that I dissagree with your points....I agree with every one of them. But you've got a bit of tunnel vision by not recognizing that that the Seahawks can do everything the Steelers can do....and they do it better.

I've never uttered the dreaded "we get no respect" line before in my life but I am really shocked at just how overlooked the Seahawks are this year. I guess it's another product of the east coast, New York centered, media. It simply doesn't occur to a lot of people that a good team....perhaps the BEST team....can exist outside of the east coast corridor.

Eric

The Seehawk

"Of course, Seattle's offense is right there with Cincy and Indy as the best offenses they've faced this year, so it's going to be one helluva matchup on both sides of the ball. I'll be interested to see what kind of blitzing looks LeBeau comes up with to get to Hasselbeck."This is how I ended the post that you quoted, but you didn't include this part. I wasn't disrespecting the Seahawks at all, just responding to someone who talked about Seattle not needing to blitz or bring the 8th man up into the box in order to pressure the QB or stop the run.

I have a lot of respect for the Seattle offense and how they can threaten the Steelers' defense. Alexander is a great RB behind an awesome line, and Hasselbeck is a damn good QB. I don't think the Seahawks played many, if any defenses this year playing the way the Steelers are right now, but we'll see. Especially not a blitzing 3-4 defense like the Steelers have.

Like I said, it should be entertaining on both sides of the ball.

 

[Smoo]

Troy Polamolu still wets his bed.Seriously.

 

[Incogneto]

I don't know who to root for.  All my playoff rosters bit the dust so I have no monetary interest in the game except for the value bets and the boxes that I will make on game day.

Which team needs another fan - for a game at least?

Join the Seahawk side, there are like 7 of us.

8 if I count my kid's cat.

Did you count me?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me; the offense does. Pittsburgh has been averaging about 31 points a game for the last month or two, and I don't see anything about the Seahwawk defense that will stop that. They are a balanced offense now, meaning that the old strategy of taking away the run and making them one-dimensional no longer works. I can easily see the Steelers putting 31 up again.Where they don't match up as well is when the Seahawks have the ball. The Steelers secondary is improved, but is not the strength of the defense. In D-Jax, Engram, Jurevicius, Stevens, and even Warrick, the Seahwaks have a lot of guys who are tough to cover. The key to stopping the Seattle passing game is getting pressure on Hasselbeck, but with the strength of that Seattle line and Hasselbeck's elusiveness, this will not be easy - even more difficult than it was vs. Indy or Denver. Alexander, while a great back, does not scare me like the passing game does. Big, power backs tend to do much better against Pittsburgh (Edge, Droughns, Rudi) than do smaller speed/vision backs. The Steelers have the speed at linebacker to get to the egde and shut down most sweeps, but where they can be had (though not often) is on stretch plays and runs up the middle. With the OLBs rushing the passer more often than not, if the OL can get penetration and get the RB to the second level, an offense can have success running the ball. This, however, works better for big north-south backs who hit those short-lived holes hard and carry some momentum into the second level. Vision-type backs like Alexander who dance around behind the line looking for a hole are often swallowed up by Pittsburgh. Alexander's the type of back who's so good he'll still have a few nice runs, but I can see him having a 60-70 yard day very easily. His value to the offense will be more evident in the passing game, as his mere presence will force the Steelers to keep Polamalu (and/or Hope) up on a number of plays to ensure he doesn't go off. Thus, the key will be pressure in the passing game early. If Hasselbeck has time to sit back, survey the field, and find receivers in man coverage, the Steelers will be in trouble defensively. Jurevicius in the slot matched up on McFadden, Colclough and/or Tyrone Carter scares the hell out of me, for example. The Steelers must come up with a scheme that will enable them to get pressure on Hasselbeck and not give the receivers time to get open deep. This will be a challenge, but I think LeBeau is smart enough to make the right adjustments that will allow them to get just enough stops (and/or a crucial turnover or two) to get the lead. Pittsburgh is lethal with the lead, and I think while the Seahawks will play valiantly, they will ultimately make too many mistakes late when the Steelers know what's coming and will come up just short.Pittsburgh 31Seattle 24

 

[Kleck]

Troy Polamolu still wets his bed.

Seriously.

I knew it.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Troy Polamolu still wets his bed.

Seriously.

Who's Troy Polamolu?I know Troy Polamalu doesn't wet his bed, so I fear you've disparaged one of our other Hawaiian friends here.

 

[Smoo]

Troy Polamolu still wets his bed.

Seriously.

Who's Troy Polamolu?I know Troy Polamalu doesn't wet his bed, so I fear you've disparaged one of our other Hawaiian friends here.

Joey Porter throws rocks at squirrels.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Troy Polamolu still wets his bed.

Seriously.

Who's Troy Polamolu?I know Troy Polamalu doesn't wet his bed, so I fear you've disparaged one of our other Hawaiian friends here.

Joey Porter throws rocks at squirrels.

That wouldn't surprise me in the least. However, I think you should know that Peter Warrick goes jogging in women's panties at night with a double-headed dildo strapped to his head.

P.S. Don't think your fine work in this thread has gone unappreciated..

 

[Incogneto]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

 

[tommyboy]

the other issue for Pittsburgh, is Seattles offense is not like Indy's or Denver where you're going to get a lot of 5 and 7 step drops. Seattle is going to throw the ball quickly, that's their offense.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

the other issue for Pittsburgh, is Seattles offense is not like Indy's or Denver where you're going to get a lot of 5 and 7 step drops. Seattle is going to throw the ball quickly, that's their offense.

Yes, this is a good point. I thought the Colts would do more of this with Manning, but they inexplicably did not. The corners are going to have to do a good job in press coverage. The Seahawks attack can be very good at getting quick yards, but you have to be careful not to commit turnovers, because an interception can easily go back the other way in that style of offense.

 

[Smoo]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

He's talking about the playoff games, not the regular season, nitwit.But talking about real stats is for nerds. It's much more fun to talk about how Hines Ward once owned a poodle and made it wear socks.

 

[tommyboy]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

you two are talking different things. He's talking playoffs, you're talking regular season.being somewhat informed myself, Seattles defense is very close to Pittsburghs. Pitt has better backers, Seattle has a better front line and the secondaries are equal.

 

[Incogneto]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

I thought I said 'In the Playoffs':http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-...st?sort_col_1=4

 

[Incogneto]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

 

[Incogneto]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

He's talking about the playoff games, not the regular season, nitwit.But talking about real stats is for nerds. It's much more fun to talk about how Hines Ward once owned a poodle and made it wear socks.

Made it wear socks? Man that guy is ####!!!

 

[Smoo]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

He's talking about the playoff games, not the regular season, nitwit.But talking about real stats is for nerds. It's much more fun to talk about how Hines Ward once owned a poodle and made it wear socks.

Made it wear socks? Man that guy is ####!!!

You know it's a euphemism, right?

 

[tommyboy]

the other issue for Pittsburgh, is Seattles offense is not like Indy's or Denver where you're going to get a lot of 5 and 7 step drops.  Seattle is going to throw the ball quickly, that's their offense.

Yes, this is a good point. I thought the Colts would do more of this with Manning, but they inexplicably did not. The corners are going to have to do a good job in press coverage. The Seahawks attack can be very good at getting quick yards, but you have to be careful not to commit turnovers, because an interception can easily go back the other way in that style of offense.

really, this entire playoff season is a textbook in coaching fatalities. Lovie Smith not doubling Steve Smith, Denver abandoning the run, Indy not speeding up their offense and throwing quicker, Washington abandoning the run. Its a great compliment to Pittsburghs coaching staff they were flexible in their approach and won because of it.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The Seahawks defense doesn't frighten me;

You lose all credibility right there.They have the #2 Def in the playoffs (behind TB), and are palying at the top of their game right now. You should start taking a look at them, and understand why they are frightning.

#2 defense in the playoffs? Based on what? From NFL.com (regular season final stats) :

Total defense : 17th (behind both Indy and Denver)

Yards per game allowed (rank above): 316.8 (same as Cleveland)

First downs allowed per game : 17th (behind Indy and Denver)

3rd down conversion percentage : 16th (behind Indy and Denver)

Time of possession : 21st (behind Indy and Denver)

Scoring defense : 7th (good, but behind both Indy and Denver)

Turovers forced : 18th (behind both Indy and Denver)

By almost any measurable category, the defense of Seattle is not as strong as the two the Steelers have just faced. Seeing as Pittsburgh just scored 55 points in the last two games against those statistically superior units, I see no reason to adjust my estimate.

Before you start pissing on my credibility, at least tell us where you got your numbers from, and support your argument.

He's talking about the playoff games, not the regular season, nitwit.But talking about real stats is for nerds. It's much more fun to talk about how Hines Ward once owned a poodle and made it wear socks.

Nitwit? That was uncalled for... When he said "in the playoffs" I assumed he meant of the 12 teams that made the playoffs. Basing a defense on a 2-game sample is a little ridiculous. Seattle faced on eof the worst offenses in the NFL in their first game and a team with one weapon, playing with their 4th string RB in the second. I think the regular season stats are a bit more telling.

I'd prefer to talk about how Shaun Alexander once owned a bunch of gerbils.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

I don't lend a whole lot of credence to rankings based off of a 2-game sample.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

I don't lend a whole lot of credence to rankings based off of a 2-game sample.

Do you lend credence to the game they played last week?

They did a great job of shutting Steve Smith down. Without him to throw to, the Carolina offense looked lost, and with their top 3 RBs out with injuries, they really had no chance. Kudos to Seattle. However, the Steelers have more weapons than Carolina. They can put three guys on Hines Ward if they want, but the Steelers will not fold if their top option is removed. Roethlisberger will check off and throw to El, Miller, or Wilson. If they shift LBs or safeties out to take those lanes away, they will run Parker and Bettis against 6-7 man fronts all day long.In short, while Seattle did a great job on Smith and the Panthers, I have no reason to believe they'll shut down Pittsburgh.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

I don't lend a whole lot of credence to rankings based off of a 2-game sample.

Do you lend credence to the game they played last week?

I'm not trying to disparage the Seahawks defense. I'm just saying that using the 2 playoff games to get a ranking is flawed. Pittsburgh's defense was ranked #4 in the regular season, Seattle's #17. Is this not a better indicator of the respective quality of these squads as opposed to numbers based on a couple of playoff games? Is Seattle's defense really better than Pittsburgh's based on their performances vs. the #11 and #22 ranked offenses in the league, while Pittsburgh has had to play the #3, #5, and #6 offenses in the NFL - all in their home stadiums?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

I don't lend a whole lot of credence to rankings based off of a 2-game sample.

Do you lend credence to the game they played last week?

They did a great job of shutting Steve Smith down. Without him to throw to, the Carolina offense looked lost, and with their top 3 RBs out with injuries, they really had no chance. Kudos to Seattle. However, the Steelers have more weapons than Carolina. They can put three guys on Hines Ward if they want, but the Steelers will not fold if their top option is removed. Roethlisberger will check off and throw to El, Miller, or Wilson. If they shift LBs or safeties out to take those lanes away, they will run Parker and Bettis against 6-7 man fronts all day long.In short, while Seattle did a great job on Smith and the Panthers, I have no reason to believe they'll shut down Pittsburgh.

While you're right that the offenses are a different animal, I don't think it's wise to discount the defensive effort completely. You can only beat who you play, and that Bears defense was pretty good, wasn't it? How'd they do against the Panthers?

The Bears foolishly thought they were good enough to do what they'd done all year and still win. They relied on pressure up front and let Smith run around downfiled in man coverage. This is suicide. To their credit, the Seahawks coaches wisely game-planned to shut Smith down, and with it went the whole Carolina offense. Smart.BTW - that Bears defense didn't look too hot against Pittsburgh either when Bettis was running for 100 second-half yards against them in the snow a few weeks ago.

 

[Smoo]

Casey Hampton once ate a nun. Alive.

 

[Seehawk]

They did a great job of shutting Steve Smith down. Without him to throw to, the Carolina offense looked lost, and with their top 3 RBs out with injuries, they really had no chance. Kudos to Seattle. However, the Steelers have more weapons than Carolina. They can put three guys on Hines Ward if they want, but the Steelers will not fold if their top option is removed. Roethlisberger will check off and throw to El, Miller, or Wilson.

You make "El, Miller or Wilson" sound like the second coming of the Redskin's Fun Bunch El had 35 recepts this season. Wilson 26, Miller 39. That's 100 total receptions, just about 6 per game COMBINED. If you think checking down to that group is good enough to win a superbowl....good luck to you.

In short, while Seattle did a great job on Smith and the Panthers, I have no reason to believe they'll shut down Pittsburgh.

Of course not...you're a steelers fan!Your eyes and your TV are stuck watching AFC North games. You've probably watched more Browns games then Seahawk games this year

Gonna be fun

Eric

The Seehawk

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Casey Hampton once ate a nun. Alive.

I actually laughed out loud at that one.

That's not so bad considering Walter Jones said that he absolutely hates bacon.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

They did a great job of shutting Steve Smith down.  Without him to throw to, the Carolina offense looked lost, and with their top 3 RBs out with injuries, they really had no chance.  Kudos to Seattle.  However, the Steelers have more weapons than Carolina.  They can put three guys on Hines Ward if they want, but the Steelers will not fold if their top option is removed.  Roethlisberger will check off and throw to El, Miller, or Wilson. 

You make "El, Miller or Wilson" sound like the second coming of the Redskin's Fun Bunch El had 35 recepts this season. Wilson 26, Miller 39. That's 100 total receptions, just about 6 per game COMBINED. If you think checking down to that group is good enough to win a superbowl....good luck to you.

In short, while Seattle did a great job on Smith and the Panthers, I have no reason to believe they'll shut down Pittsburgh.

Of course not...you're a steelers fan!Your eyes and your TV are stuck watching AFC North games. You've probably watched more Browns games then Seahawk games this year

Gonna be fun

Eric

The Seehawk

I'm not saying those guys are the second coming but any one of them can beat you if you leave him open. The point I was making is that Pittsburgh will take what the defense gives them and not shut down completely if one option is removed from the offense.I watched exactly 2 Browns games this year - the losses to Pittsburgh. I have actually watched 3-4 Seahawk games, they're a fun team to watch. Seahawks are probably my favorite NFC team... I'm not belittling them at all. I just think their strength is on offense, not defense. The fact that their offense ranked 1st and defense 17th during the season seems to bear that out.

It should be fun - I look forward to a great game.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

#2 offense too:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/OFF-...st?sort_col_1=4

I don't lend a whole lot of credence to rankings based off of a 2-game sample.

Do you lend credence to the game they played last week?

I'm not trying to disparage the Seahawks defense. I'm just saying that using the 2 playoff games to get a ranking is flawed. Pittsburgh's defense was ranked #4 in the regular season, Seattle's #17. Is this not a better indicator of the respective quality of these squads as opposed to numbers based on a couple of playoff games? Is Seattle's defense really better than Pittsburgh's based on their performances vs. the #11 and #22 ranked offenses in the league, while Pittsburgh has had to play the #3, #5, and #6 offenses in the NFL - all in their home stadiums?

How many times in one thread do I have to post this (post 29)?

That's total yards which is usually not a clear indication of things. Think about this...who was the #1 pass D in the NFL this year? Can you answer that without looking? It was a team that finished 4-12. Since Seattle was ahead in most of their games all season they are going to give up a lot of cheap stuff in the second half bringing the total yards allowed up.

The Seahawks were 7th in points allowed and the Steelers were third. That is what games come down to don't they? Points.

I don't think Seattle's defense is better than Pittsburgh's but it doesn't have to be. Seattle's offense is better than Pittsburgh's (statistically and otherwise) and Pittsburgh's defense is better than Seattle's defense (statistically and otherwise). Those units don't get on the field at the same time so we'll have to see whom matches up better against whom in the O vs D battles. It's ok, Seattle has been proving doubters wrong all year. Why should the Super Bowl be any different?

 

[Seehawk]

I'm not saying those guys are the second coming but any one of them can beat you if you leave him open. The point I was making is that Pittsburgh will take what the defense gives them and not shut down completely if one option is removed from the offense.

I watched exactly 2 Browns games this year - the losses to Pittsburgh. I have actually watched 3-4 Seahawk games, they're a fun team to watch. Seahawks are probably my favorite NFC team... I'm not belittling them at all. I just think their strength is on offense, not defense. The fact that their offense ranked 1st and defense 17th during the season seems to bear that out.

The fact that Seattle's defense was ranked 17th overall gets thrown out there a lot but there's really more to it than that....Overall ranked 17th, but ranked 5th against the run & 25 against the pass.The interesting part: Steelers offense ranked 16th overall, 5th rushing attack, 30th passing attack.

So I'll grant you that Seattle's defense isn't one of the best in the league, and their passing D is suspect....but they're facing a middle of the pack offense with a bottom of the bucket passing game. Seems to me they match up pretty good.

It should be fun - I look forward to a great game.

Ain't that the truth? I mean really...I can't believe how evenly matched these teams are. If they both play up to their skill/talent level this really is a match-up of strength vs strength.Should be great.

Eric

The Seehawk