Vikings (6-0) @ Steelers (4-2) - Key Matchup #1 - Jared Allen vs. Max Starks
by Blitzburgh on Oct 21, 2009 2:27 AM EDT
31 comments
What an exciting weekend of football ahead of fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings. Two of the NFL's most historic and storied franchises squaring off in an October showdown of teams with Super Bowl aspirations. I'm going to leave much of my analysis of the game for a bit later in the week, but I wanted to begin by laying out what some of the key matchups will be on both sides of the ball. From there, you all (and hopefully Vikings fans as well) jump in and lend your take(s). There's plenty of top shelf matchups in this one - both one-on-one as well as unit-against-unit.
Let's take a look, beginning with an important battle in the trenches between Minnesota's Jared Allen and Max Starks of the Steelers.
Matchup #1 - Jared Allen vs. Max Starks
Analysis: Heading in to the 2009 season, the gigantic question mark surrounding the Steelers was whether their offensive line was going to be much, if any, better than they were a year ago when Ben Roethlisberger was sacked an ungodly number of times and the running game scared no one. Well, despite not much change in the personnel, the Steelers offensive line has improved. And not in a trivially small way either. They're protecting Roethlisberger much better this year and the result has been an amazingly productive start for Big Ben and the passing game.
Left tackle Max Starks may not face a tougher test this year than trying to keep Jared Allen off of Ben's back on Sunday. Allen, the outspoken former binge drinker turned sober defensive end formerly of the Chiefs, already has 7.5 sacks on the year. His previous two year total of 30 sacks (15.5 in '07, 14.5 in '08) has to be one of the top marks in the league over that time span. Allen is the ideal combination of strength, speed and intelligence. He can run you over, beat you to the outside with an incredible first step and tremendous balance, and he's savvy enough to know what you're trying to do to him and capable of adjusting on the fly quickly. Simply put, he's the best pass rushing defensive end Max Starks has faced all year. He's arguably the best he will face for the remainder of the season.
I can't say that I have watched and re-watched all six Steelers games this year just watching the play of the offensive line only, but from what I've seen live and and during the replays I've found time for, I've been more impressed with the play of the interior linemen for the Steelers - guards Trai Essex & Chris Kemoeatu and center Justin Hartwig - than I have been with Starks. I'd also say that I've rarely noticed Willie Colon. Isn't that a beautiful thing? What an improvement from a year ago! I wanted to see it in live games rather than just at camp and in the preseason, but I wrote before the season that it was very possible that Colon would make significant strides in 2009 and beyond. He's no All Pro yet, but the future suddenly seems much, much MUCH brighter for him and this offensive line as a result of the progress he has made. I continue to digress, but I'd also note that many of the Steelers successful running plays this year have been run to the right side of the Steelers offensive line. Some meticulous soul out there might chart them more thoroughly, but thinking back to the Chargers game in particular, the lion's share of Mendenhall's positive rushes were to the right side with the help of a pulling Chris Kemoeatu from the left.
Anyway, back to Starks. I certainly have been nothing short of pleased with Starks' play as well. Just so we're clear. I wouldn't agree with those who'd argue that Starks is the most improved player on the line. I think Starks has approached his talent ceiling, but the good news is he's proven capable of playing at a solid level consistently. I believe others along the line have better long term upside than he does, but to his credit, Starks has been the most consistent performer over the course of the past 10-15 games.
As for Sunday, I'm not sure what to say other than we'll see if he's up to the challenge on Sunday. Let's be clear - Jared Allen will make a play or two in this game most likely. He's more physically gifted than Starks and we all know that Ben Roethlisberger is more than willing to hold on to the ball and try to make a pass rusher miss while looking downfield. There just likely will be a play, or two or three when Starks maybe keeps Allen away for an acceptable amount of time, but Allen will still get to or near Big Ben due to his propensity to hold on to the rock.
Take a moment and briefly think about this year so far - you wouldn't say that Ben Roethlisberger has been under duress too frequently would you? I wouldn't, even though there definitely been plays and even series where the offensive line has gotten taken to the woodshed. Still, Ben's generally had time to make plays thanks to their work. Agreed? Well he's still been sacked 16 times - tied for the 5th most through 6 weeks. That puts him on pace to be sacked about 42 times by season's end.
Moral of the story, at least for me is that Allen's probably not going to get shut out completely in the passing game. That's fine and dandy so long as Roethlisberger protects the football if/when Allen does get by Starks. As we've seen, we already give up a healthy number of sacks and our offense is still faring pretty well. So it's not as if the Steelers can't overcome a 2 or even 3 sack day from Allen so long as they don't result in turnovers.
No small task though. Allen has three forced fumbles on the year and 20 dating back to 2005. Think of him like Deebo in purple - equally athletic, equally disruptive, and equally batshit crazy while competing on the football field.
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Good poast
What concerns me is that its another 4-3 front. And we have suffered against them so far this year. We got a nice 2 losses to them.
This matchup does matter the more I think about it. I dont think our ground game breaks 100 yards total. But their secondary is weak. If our WR’s have time to get downfield, or in other words, Ben has time to make a play, we win.
Bens hotter than just about any QB right now too, likewise with our receiving corps.
Hopefully Maxamillionaire holds up well, but I would definitely keep Mendy on that side and chip in the TE.
by Mechem on Oct 21, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Max Starks
has been according to a lot of people the most improved lineman on the team. He has transformed from a serviceable backup to a solid LT. His signing was a blessing for the team. That said he will give up a sack or two on sunday just because of who he is going against and the style of play Big Ben has. The thing is making Allen guess and the running game is going to be a huge factor in this game. Like I said earlier, The Steelers won’t be effective at all on the ground on sunday but they still have to stick with it to keep the Vikings defenders from “pinning their ears back” and going after Ben like a jail break. The Eagles game last year is a good model for this game. Last year they gave up on the run and that was partially the reason the Eagles destroyed our pass protection. Same type of defense the Vikings have. Hopefully they can put that to use.
by BubbyBrister6 on Oct 21, 2009 3:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Screens, counters, quick slants, & play action
Saw an awful lot of open space in Vikings’ defense. Not much team speed I suspect. They will out muscle Steelers in the box, but they’ve been beaten badly in the open spaces. Ben is smart, has good vision and he has five playmakers to choose from. I’m confident Steelers offense will do well. Allen make get a sack or two, but Minnie pays for it when a playmaker gets loose. With Mendenhall, Ward, Holmes, Wallace, and Miller……wow! I like to see that smarmy smirk on Allen’s face droop as he watches the back of a Steeler jersey disappear downfield.
P.S. How is Ray Rice not the offensive player of the week.
"More than 70 percent of putts left short do not go in."
by euwolfie on Oct 21, 2009 3:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
If Winfield is out I’d like to see us come out throwing and get them on their heals. Our offense has shown it can be prolific, let them loose.
Cheers, -Dave The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. --Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
by strivan21 on Oct 21, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vikings and steelers fan
Being a fan of both teams i would like to point out that the vikings pass defense has been incredible through three quarters of every game! they give up tons of yards in the fourth for two reasons. A) they always have monster leads (except SF) so they are playing a little laxed and B) the other team is loosing so they are forced to throw the ball and pick up huge chunks of yards. But if you notice the vikings have one if not the best red zone defense in the league so if you don’t score from far out your pretty much screwed. But Pitts has amazing talent on offense so it should be a great game!
by supertrooper15 on Oct 22, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A great matchup
Allen’s great motor plus Ben hanging onto the ball will equal a sack of two. But I see Starks winning this battle, doing what he needs to do with a minimum of help in pass blocking and eventually dominating on running plays. Starks is actually a pretty gifted athlete for such a big guy, his problem is consistently asserting himself physically and this kind of highlight matchup should bring out the best in him. Allen puts a lot of energy into getting upfield and that can be used against him. The more dangerous matchup IMO is on the other side. Ray Edwards is an underrated DE and could give Colon a lot of trouble in what will be a game-long rumble between two big, nasty guys. The Vikings don’t present too many exotic blitz looks but that could change as everyone starts analyzing why Ben is having so much success. I would like to see Ben go no-huddle early and often. Keep the front four on the field , wear them down, hit short passes over them and stretch running plays off tackle. Get to the ball without a huddle and snap it again.
by steeler.lifer on Oct 21, 2009 4:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Edwards
You’re right in that Edwards is a bit underrated, and has looked better this year than in the past. Brian Robison does a nice job in relief also. The problem with a great rush from the right side is that Roethlisberger does well evading/shedding defenders when he sees them coming.
No huddle is a good idea if the Steelers can execute. Minnesota’s defense has shown that it gets weaker if it stays on the field too long.
by peterplaysbass on Oct 23, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mendenhall is part of this match-up
He will need to build on the solid pass protection effort he’s been showing in the past few games and be ready to help chip Allen. I’ve read it noted elsewhere that teams have been using Allen’s hunger for sacks against him by blocking him into the backfield and running right past him… This game is going to take good execution sans mental mistakes from the line, and a very solid gameplan from Bruce Arians. As others have stated above, the quick passing game and some running need to be used early to keep the line on their heels. If the Steelers can successfully establish that, there’ll be room later in the game for some play action and deeper passes, especially if the Vikings’ secondary wears down late as they seemed to against B-more.
by acrollet on Oct 21, 2009 7:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Focus for Ben
Sometimes when there’s an elite pass rusher like Allen I think all the talk and prep gets Ben more focused and careful.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to see Ben shake off tacklers before throwing a bomb as much as the next guy, but crucial sacks and a failure to throw the ball away is the biggest strike against Ben as a QB. When the stakes are high and the threat such a high profile guy I think Ben really gets going and plays smart. I look forward to this one.
by 13thieves on Oct 21, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like acrollet’s point above about chipping. The RB helping to chip him will definitely be in play. Also I think steeler.lifer’s mention of the right side is worth highlighting.
Tight ends
Of much importance this week is our tight-end’s ability or inability to block. They have been a hit or miss group, though Miller at least is much improved this year. Helping seal the edge is going to be necessary for us to get going on the run game. They absolutely must be a force against the DEs to allow our IOL to maul the Williams and get to the second level. If Miller can’t help in the run game, I don’t know that we’ll be able to run the ball. If Spaeth can’t help in the run game, oh…
Since we know Miller will almost always be in the game, he’s also going to need to know his role in terms of helping our tackles. The ends of the vikings can beat both of our tackles on the outside edge with speed, but our going to have a much harder time doing that with a tight-end there. The benefit of Arians 11-TE system should hopefully become clear this week as they perform their role keeping Ben clean and/or getting out to the second level.
IOL
I’m not sure I’ve been impressed by our entire group. What I’ve seen that I like is that they have been much, much, can I emphasize this more?, much better at doubling on blocks, passing off linemen, and picking up stunts. This may be the absolute biggest difference from last year.
Kemo has shown a substantial amount of improvement. He trips over himself less and is able to pick up blocks when pulling. He isn’t the greatest at pass protection by himself but is good at picking guys up with Starks or Hartwig. He has been mauling guys in the run game, and is making way less mental mistakes than he has in the pass. Him and Colon are the biggest upgrades from last year, in terms of improvement.
I don’t think Hartwig has improved as a physical player at all. I think he has a lot of the responsibility for keeping this line on the same page and has done an admirable job of it. He gets beat frequently but he usually has help, and he seems to be diagnosing stunts with great accuracy. He can’t push guys out of the way in the run game without help, but we don’t expect him to. He can’t handle many guys one on one for very long. Hartwig is okay, but I haven’t been falling over him this year.
Essex can’t dominate any matchups in the run game. He and Hartwig seem to have a very good dialogue going. These two “undersized” guys are good at moving their man. Essex is still good at pass protection. He’s still not going to take a guy out of the play, but he is the glue that keeps the right side from breaking down in the interior as much as it did last year. I think he’s great at picking up double teams and him and colon at times have looked very coordinated in passing guys off.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
by steelguy99 on Oct 21, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Coordination
It sure looks like all the extra work that the O-line has put in the last year and a half on studying film together and communicatig better is paying off.
This is what announcer and writers say about an o-line “jelling”. As 99 says, each group (center and guards, guards and tackles and tackles and tight ends) have shown significant improvement on their duece blocks in the run game (dobling up on the down lineman and then moving to the second level) and in the handling of stunts and blitzes in the passing game.
All that said, we also have to give some credit to BB on this matter, as he has been more and more involved on calling the proper protection slides and identifying where the blitzes are coming from.
This will be an excellent test for how far the Oline has improved
It all starts in the trenches.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Oct 21, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lets be realistic, nobody can stop Jared Allan. However I would rather have Allan sac Ben 3 or 4 times, than cause a fumble or a quick throw for an interception. If we win the turnover battle, we’ll have a good chance to win the game. The Vikings can be scored upon regardless of how well Jared Allan plays.
by chuck123 on Oct 21, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Joe Thomas
… definitely stopped Jared Allen.
I am curious to see if these teams respective turnover margins are a fluke.
by IAVikesFan on Oct 22, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First 20 minutes
I think the key to surviving Allen will be in the first 20 minutes of the game. My guess is that Allen will be most dangerous at the start of the game. He’ll be fresh. Starks won’t have a good feel for him. Until Starks gets “acclimated”, Allen might feast on Ben or at least crush the pocket.
If that happens, the rest of the game could be miserable. There’s nothing worse than a pass rusher who is confident he can beat his man. It will demoralize our entire line, negate our running game, and take Big Ben out of his comfort zone. But if Starks is able to hold Allen back for the first few drives, I think we’ll have ourselves a game.
by Varmint on Oct 21, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
MMA
is how Jared Allen keeps himself in great shape. Watch him from the first quarter to the fourth quarter, he doesn’t really wear down… looks like he’s been playing Madden the first three quarters.
by IAVikesFan on Oct 22, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surviving 20 minutes will not be enough against Jared Allen
The guy has a motor that is unparralell in the league.
There is no such thing as fatigue with him.
by Freddyd on Oct 21, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
D. Johnson could be big this weekend helping with J. Allen
I think this could be the week where we see quite a bit of TE/FB D. Johnson doing some in-line blocking. I think he’s going to need to help out M. Starks quite a bit.
The thing that worries me that most about Allen is Ben’s preference to hold on to the ball and move around in the backfield. Allen doesn’t give up on a play and Ben will be running around back there and probably won’t know where Allen is a lot of the team. That could end up being bad news. But that is why they play the games, to see how the results will be.
The Vikes not having CB Antoine Winfield could be big.
by datruth4life on Oct 21, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope we don’t use Johnson as a 6th linemen. While keeping Ben on his feet is important, playing a front 6 against 4 is not conducive to winning. If we are going to run the ball, I’m fine having Johnson perform that task, but in the passing game I’d much rather have Heath help out Starks and be able to release if need be. Especially with Mendenhall’s ability thus far at picking up blockers.
Until Johnson becomes a threat to catch the ball, I don’t see him being extremely useful in passing situations.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
by steelguy99 on Oct 21, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
3rd and short
I hope we see the return of the Big “Legursky” at full back
How’s David Johnson, I thought he was still out, but yeah he would be a nice addition in run and pass pro
by steelermafia on Oct 21, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I totally disagree. Starks has been playing better than he ever has. Now Allen has too much speed and will give him trouble, but that’s because Allen is an All-Pro type of player. Starks is probably at best a one year pro bowl type of guy. But he’s been playing lights out this year.
I think 1-2 sacks.
by Cols714 on Oct 21, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jared can't be ...
neutralized, but he can be marginalized. Scheme will have to change to avoid him and Mr. B can’t camp out in the pocket. That I believe is critical to a Steelers victory. Mr. Waffle has been dealt with before when he played for a decent Packers team. Losing track of his current receivers is what will kill the Steelers. Do those two things without selling out the rest of the farm and we will be fine.
by tenthmtnman on Oct 21, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Best strategy against vikes
I’ve been watching the Vikes since ‘61 and this could be the best bunch we’ve put together. The offense is a given, just cross your fingers. But the defense has a huge swagger to it. It causes them to get overconfident (check out the first 3 quarters against Baltimore) They were ripe to get they’re butts handed to them. Your best bet is to lull them to sleep and then come out firing in a hurry up offense. They got to much pride to hurry themselves and get will get burned. I only tell you this because I want this team to get better. We could see another last second victory, hopefully for the purple!!!
by jimbo2 on Oct 21, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jared Allen Sack Total and Running Game Yardage
Your point about Starks being much improved is well taken as well as the fact that the sack total will depend more on how long Ben holds the ball. I believe that if Ariens puts together a good game plan that involves Ben throwing quick strikes to neutralize the rush, it will put the Vikings on their heels. Don’ be suprised if Mendenhall breaks a couple of long runs with Kemo pulling. It depends how Ariens designs it and Ben runs it.
Thanks
by Thundercraft29 on Oct 22, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Big Ben is sacked more than any other QB. So its inevitable Allen will get at least 1 sack…
Week 6 Wrap up…Tell me what you think
http://tightend.blogspot.com/2009/10/week-6.html
"Don't Be Afraid to Stand on a Pile of 'No's' for one 'Yes'"
by curiousg87 on Oct 22, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mewelde
Jared Allen crashes down like a wild man at the snap. He doesn’t try to read the play and react. A delayed swing pass to Mewelde to the left side with trips on the opposite side can be a big play for our offense. What we won’t have is time to go down field very often. We can however, exploit their weak secondary with quick outs and slants to Holmes and Ward. The LBs will have to stay home to cover the back so I think we will see alot of MM on sunday
by qwikdoc on Oct 22, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why don't we just hold Allen every other play?
same scheme other teams use against Harrison.
by Bug Ben on Oct 22, 2009 4:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
+1
JA gets held crazy bad… I feel your pain on Harrison!
by IAVikesFan on Oct 22, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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