Steelers vs. Jaguars: Five Keys For Steelers Victory

by Blitzburgh on Oct 3, 2008 6:23 AM EDT

We could spend all day talking about what we'd hope to see from our offense on Sunday, but let's diversify the conversation for a moment and look at some other aspects of the matchup where we'd be well served winning.

1) Stop Maurice Jones Drew

I suppose it's Fred Taylor I should be worried about, given that he ran for 147 yards against us in the first of our two meetings last year. But it's Jones-Drew that truly gives me nightmares. In the two games last year, MJD ran the ball successfully (12 carries 69 yards in Game 1), caught a 40 yard TD pass in the second game, and of course returned a kick for a TD immediately following Pittsburgh's opening scoring drive in the Wild Card rond. I'm not sure if he's been dealing with injuries this year, but through four games he has just 38 carries, 13 receptions, and has only fielded one punt, no kickoffs. If he does return kicks this week, it's imperative we continue the early season success we've had with our coverage units. We can live with a screen pass or two for a first down by MJD, but I don't think we can survive the types of huge plays he scored on last year.

2) Improved Punting From Mitch Berger

Berger's been pretty good so far in 2008, at least through three games. Against the Ravens on Monday, Berger struggled a bit. Not terribly mind you. He did average 40 yards on 7 punts and had two downed inside the 10. This is a minor quibble here, but it's going to be important during a short week against a physical Jacksonville team that is already capable of wearing us down with the running game. Good field position is something we can't afford to give up.

3) Convert In The RedZone

I know Baltimore's got a nasty defense that's tough to finish drives off against, but I was really disappointed we failed to break their backs with a TD late in the 4th quarter, instead settling for a FG that kept it a one score game. Against Philadelphia we didn't really sniff the RedZone so it was a moot point, but I hope this doesn't become a trend for this offnse moving forward. It's too early to say if our offense will ever find a sustained rhtyhm this year, but if they continue to be inconsistent, particularly on the road, we need to take care of what chances we have. Especially when we face teams like Indy, Dallas, and San Diego who can put up points in a hurry. A nice time to start executing inside the opponents' 20 would be this Sunday against Jacksonville .

4) Continue Protecting The Ball

I mentioned in a recent post or comment thread that Ben Roethlisberger has done a remarkable job protecting the football for how much pressure he's faced the last two-three weeks. That INT against Baltimore was bogus. Just slipped out of his hand, not a product of a bad decision. For all the pressure he's faced, Ben's only offered up two INTs. The one I mentioned, plus another long meaningless heave in the Eagles game I believe. He has, however, had some issues fumbling. He's coughed it up 5 times, losing four of them. Other than Ben though, our backs and WRs have done a good job protecting the football. It's one of the main reasons we're 3-1.

5) Involve Heath Miller

Last year against Jacksonville, Miller had a TD in the first contest, then a monster game in the playoff matchup catching 8 balls for 85 yards and a TD. I think Miller gives the Jags some matchup problems, and with some of the protection issues hopefully resolved, at least some, since the Philly game, perhaps it's time to start letting Miller run free. I don't see why 5-8 yard stopping patterns aren't a good idea. You don't need a big window to get him the ball, he doesn't bobble passes in traffic, risking interceptions. Let's get Heath involved!

There are of course many other issues worthy of addressing, particulary on offense. Feel free to add them in the comments section, as well as any other matchups/aspects of the game that you find interesting and pivotal.

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One other key goal – or so it seems to me – would be to get pressure on Gerrard. They’ve got a makeshift o-line and a medicore recieving corps (at best), so the ability to force him to make throws he’s uncomfortable with could go a long way to helping us out.

by BluegrassSteeler on Oct 3, 2008 8:23 AM EDT 0 recs

Ben’s Fumbles are a product of the poor play of the o-line. He doesn’t fumble when he scrambles so I think as long as we can protect him and give him either a clean pocket to throw or a clean lane to run, he won’t turn the ball over.

Agreed that pressure on Gerrard is paramount to how well the defense will play in this game. Control that line of scrimmage and inflict your will is how our D plays best.

by woody71 on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM EDT 0 recs

agree

plus, i would think that a lot of people are starting to question Garrard a little bit. he has not shown the same poise or consistency that he played with last year. i say pressuring him will cause him to hurry through his progressions, and with an already bad receiving unit, he will be prone to mistakes. we do have to worry about him scrambling though…but i guess as long as tyrone carter isn’t in the game then it’s not that big of a deal.

by NoCal-SteelCity on Oct 3, 2008 11:17 AM EDT up 0 recs

Blitz Analysis

1) It’s going to be a chore shutting down the Jax rush with the DL hurting. This worries me the most about the Jax game. Come 4th quarter I suspect the front 3 may be out of gas. That is why it is so important to possess the clock and follow Blitz rule #3.
2) Liked Berger better than Ernster. Berger punted below average against the BrownRavens. Maybe he started the Rosh Hashana holiday early? At any rate agree that he must punt better especially when the Steelers are backed up so we don’t give Jax a short field.
3) So true…always.
4) So true…always.
5) Surprised Miller wasn’t used more against Philly. Perhaps with the protection issues they needed 83 blocking because they didn’t have time to get him down field. I hear Jax has secondary issues so perhaps we can get 83 open down the seam…if the O line gives 7 time. Looking for 10 & 86 to step up if Ben has protection.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Oct 3, 2008 9:59 AM EDT 0 recs

the jags have been rather mediocre

Not that this won’t be a tough game and the jags certainly play well against the steelers, but this isn’t the same jags team of the last couple years. The texans limited Taylor and MJD (and the Texans do not have a good run d). This really stems from their oline being in worse shape than the steelers’.

by vherub on Oct 3, 2008 10:54 AM EDT 0 recs

BMF's Priorities

1) Establish the run. This isn’t a case of doing the last thing they’d expect (i.e. Broncos game last year), this is a case of doing what we need to do, which also happens to be the last thing they’d expect. Our OL is best in run blocking, and Moore and Russell can have success against them. If we can get the run going, it will open up play action and keep them from blitzing. If they only send 4, Ben will have time and dominate their secondary. Even before all the injuries, Russell may have been our best bet to run out the clock.

2) Tackle their RB’s. With our DL in survival mode, I can handle letting up 120 yards on 30 carries. What we can’t do is let them gash us for big plays because of missed tackles. If we limit the run, eventually Garrard will have to make plays.

3) Take away the short passing game. I’m taking as a given that we’ll get pressure. Their IOL is a mess, and our OLB’s should still get some pressure against their OT’s. Eason and Keisel would have dominated this line if they played, but Hoke and Smith should still have some success. Assuming we get pressure, the short passing game is what scares me. MJD is a big threat out of the backfield, and the achilles heel of this defense is covering quick RB’s. I’d like to see Timmons or Troy helping out here. If Foote has to cover MJD, we’re in trouble.

4) Actually, I think that’s it. Obviously we need to take care of the ball, limit penalties, and have success in the Heinz Red Zone™, but that’s true of every game. The game plan should be simple.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 AM EDT 0 recs

I think we really need Timmons on their QB too. We’re not the only team he has killed recently by running.

by steelguy99 on Oct 3, 2008 11:11 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe we can clone Timmons

and have him covering MJD, Lewis, all their receivers, and spy on Garrard. Actually, we’ll be fine with Garrard, as long as the refs actually call holding penalties on Silverback.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 3, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Given last years and this years track record, I wouldn’t count on any holding calls…

If we clone someone do we have to pay them twice or can we just assign them one ssn?

by steelguy99 on Oct 3, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

#3

Agree, bigtime.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 3, 2008 11:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

Jags aren't running like they use to

And they’re not stopping the run like they used to.

Pressure Garrard, put a spy on him, and shadow MJD.

by herewegosteelers on Oct 3, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Jax smells blood in the waters but unfortunately its their own blood they smell

I agree with everything everybody said and I expect all 5 of Blitz’s keys to victory to be implemented in this game, in fact I’m expecting the offense to step up in this game and make a quasi-statement against a lowly ranked defense. I’m expecting a lot of things in Sunday night’s brawl but one thing I’m not expecting to see is the game changer – the combination of Marcus Stroud and DC Mike Smith (now the HC of the Atlanta Falcons).

The Steelers haven’t beaten the Jags since 12/5/04 in a 17-16 victory @ Jax and that was both Smith’s and Stroud’s first start against the Steelers. Jax was built to stop the Steelers. Since then Steelers are 0-4 home and away (including the playoffs). Marcus Stroud was quite efficient and Pro-bowl caliber in Mike Smith’s top-10 ranked defensive system. Jax are making the last changes in their defense to handle the likes of division rivals Manning and conference rivals Brady who both are elite passing QB as we know and so invested heavily on young pass rushers. Now the Jags are allowing over 100 yds/g rushing. Jax staple on defense under Mike Smith with Marcus Stroud anchoring the line was stuffing the run since 2004 with both gone, I expect the Steelers to do what the Steelers do and to do it with success, run the damn football.

With Jax nursing an ailing O-line you best believe the Steelers are looking at the advantage. Their running game is a concern but Anthony Smith and Tyrone Carter aren’t going to be missing assignments, tackles, or be completely faked out by play-actions.

By no means am I saying this game will be easy but the Steelers have been hit by the injury bug on the Dline and RBs corp (‘this is a game of attrition’); their young successful QB is ‘finally’ aggravated by the inconsistency (in fact unproductivity is the word) of the offense; the ‘once again shuffled’ o-line is now backed into a corner and feeling the heat; Tomlin has put the heat on from A to Z; the fans booed their way to victory in the Steel city on MNF; and ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’ (I don’t about you guys but I live in the DC metro area, it just got colder over the last week and fall is here). The combination of all the above, with a best in the league LB corps and healthy (and stealthy) safety corps plus at least 90% of sports commentators calling for a Steelers loss on SNF is the perfect storm for an upset. Did I forget to mention a reliable ST (I hope I’m not speaking to soon on this issue).

BTW, they better win I just got tickets for the MNF @ FedEx field and I’m looking forward to talking a lot of crap to these Redskins fans who I assured at the beginning of the season that Zorn was a tremendous pick for HC to replace the senile Gibbs. Go figures, I was so talking out my ass!!!

The Steelers can either look like last night’s Palin or O’Riely. Let’s hope O’Riely and go on the offensive. (I made a political funny!!)

Damn this came out to longer than I expected, I gotta get back to work.

by TomlinEra on Oct 3, 2008 1:57 PM EDT 0 recs

That was an epic post

“Jax smells blood in the waters but unfortunately its their own blood they smell” – great stuff. Actually very applicable. I like your list of all the shallow reasons people think we’re going to lose this game. I mostly agree.

“Tomlin has put the heat on from A to Z” – this is genious. I am officially going to start saying the problems with our offense “are from A to Z” or “start with A and end with Z”. This just made my day.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 3, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

A to Z

Friggin brilliant.

by steelguy99 on Oct 3, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks man!!

To me, SNF is a statement game before the Bye. If Arians and Zierlien can show me they can adjust after 2 games with a reworked Oline and new crop of RBs against a porous D in a hostile environment, Steelers are playoff bound for this season (meaning they can win at least 1 game in the post season and could resemble ‘05 when the injuries hit early and team got healthy and hungry at the right time); if not, well you’re in a good mood no need to spoil that.

by TomlinEra on Oct 3, 2008 2:42 PM EDT 0 recs

6) Use facemasks to our full advantage

Got tipped off to this video from the ravens fans – hines ward on his 40+ yard catch:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6yd5r_hines-ward-cheating-once-again_sport

I like the name of the video personally. What are we going to do without hines when he leaves? At least santonio is picking things up pretty well.

by steelguy99 on Oct 3, 2008 4:42 PM EDT 0 recs

working notes

I was reading some Jaguars’ websites and it appears as though they believe (and I believe as well) that Berger’s incredibly slow in getting his punts off … they’re planning on rushing & practicing punt blocking. And though all games have some sort of field position element to victory, I really, really don’t want JAX on a short field too often early in the game.

I think it’s time for our offense to try a little small-ball “dink & dunk” game … with a healthy mixture of solid runs. Jacksonville wins by time of possession, and we’ve got to win that battle to win the game.

I try not to focus too much on injuries, ever, but with a beat-up squad in a damn physical matchup, one week away from the bye, I’d hate to see our fellas get down big early and just phone it in thinking of two weeks worth of ice baths & hot tubs. The moral of that is we need a lead by halftime … and the motivation to finish.

Jacksonville doesn’t blitz often. Jacksonville will blitz this time around. Who wouldn’t? 90% of all play-by-play analysis accompanying Steelers games this season has focused entirely on Ben’s sacks, Ben’s shoulder, Ben’s hand, Ben’s sacks, Ben’s sacks, Ben’s sacks. The other 10% of analysis this week will focus on a patchwork O-line and our 4th RB on the depth chart making the start ahead of two newly acquired free agents.

At the same time, Jax’s defense will continue to rely on stellar pass coverage … they’ll get a pick or two.

Maybe it’s an incorrect view of game planning, or out of context or whatnot, but we had nothing offensively until the no-huddle. I say let Ben call the game. The way it was done up through the early 90s when coach’s trusted their QBs … the whole game is overcoached now. His a big old-school mutha … let him get out there & play.

3-step drops MAX, until we soften up their pass defense. For real Arians! Quit trying to be the hero who called the long pass td, long pass td, long pass td (please notice that the repetition used also mirrors the previous repetition of sacks). You can win this game a yard at a time. As long as we’re the ones gaining the yard.

by Fahey on Oct 3, 2008 7:15 PM EDT 0 recs

I’m not sure what makes you think jax’s defense will rely on “stellar pass coverage”. Their pass coverage is normally suspect and this game their secondary will be hurting with injuries. Even not mentioning that they are middle of the road with 4 interceptions on the year, not exactly mind-boggling.

by steelguy99 on Oct 3, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Heath Miller will probably be the key for your offense Sunday Night. Roethlisberger is going to be throwing it around alot and the Jags haven’t been able to cover TEs all year.

-John

by FSBlueApocalypse on Oct 3, 2008 9:36 PM EDT 0 recs