Again, our offense looked good (or at least moderately productive), which is a good streak we have going. Thank the lord for the running game. The big test, though will be how we play against good defenses, which we haven’t faced since maybe New York. Basically, we need our offense to not self destruct against quality defenses and put together just a few solid drives. If we can do that, our defense can do the rest.

— “it’d be nice if our red zone offense kept up…” — I remember during the game worrying about FGs vs. TDs. I felt better about it when our D kept giving us opportunities, and we kept with the run as the game progressed (and seemed to run between the tackles more), then had a goal line opportunity again at the end of the game (the O line and Gary had success). So I think there are seeds there to review tape on and hopefully integrate into our game planning.

—“best lock up Harrison this offseason…” — I think his mentoring and comradery with Woodley (plus leading-by-example for the entire D) is the intangible that nudges the front office to do just that. fingers crossed

OFF TOPIC, but…* with all of the Plaxico press going on, I heard a few press comments that he was a “problem” even back when he was a Steeler/in college… I didn’t remember that during his time there, but can anyone enlighten me a bit?

Looking forward to our next test in Dallas!

tomlin has preached since day 1, that for this team to be successful, they must be more violent than their opposition. can think of ANY team in the league that can match the violence of this team? forget the violence, how bout matching intensity? or motivation? desire? etc…

this is the hardest working team i’ve ever seen. every other play i see a guy like aaron smith wrapped up with two offensive lineman, freeing a lane to the ball carrier for a guy like Warrior (farrior). or TP43 literally flying over the offensive line. or james harrison getting held by a tackle twice his size, but still somehow getting pressure on the qb. i won’t even mention ryan clark….

this team is not only violent, they’re becoming scary. it’s bad enough that opposing offenses have to worry about 25.5 sacks coming at them off the corners, but now they have to worry about being beheaded by clark, troy picking off a pass, 94 drilling their qb, or casey hampton getting pissed off and embarrassing their center with a 350 lb + bull rush. this is steeler football at its finest.

oh, and nice job offense….(i’m a defensive guy personally)

One thing I was happy about, though I do like running the football. Early on Arians called a pass on 1st down. We need to do this in the future to keep 8 men out of the box. There’s a few games where he’s taken the “run first, pass second” mantra a bit too far.

Over the course of this season the kick coverage teams have been outstanding. With a revolving door at punter and a kicker who rarely kicks out of the end zone it is remarkable how these guys get after the kick/punt returner. For the past several seasons I’ve felt an unbelievable angst every time the Steelers kicked the ball. But no more, these guys are quietly going about their business and keeping the opponents backed up into their own territory.

As the defense shines and the Offense improves, lets not forget these blue collar guys!