Steelers vs. Vikings: second time around

by Billy52 on Oct 30, 2009 1:51 PM EDT

A second viewing of the game makes the Steeler defense look even better.

Anticipating a football-starved weekend, I just watched the entire Steelers/Vikings game again. I was impressed on the first viewing by what our defense did, but even more so with a second look. Incredible team effort and heads-up play. A lot of guys stepped up after mainly occupying the bench earlier in the year. If not for a below-par performance by the Steeler offense and the kicking team, this game easily could have been a blowout for the black and gold. Favre and AP were thwarted throughout practically the entire game.

If we get anywhere near this level of effort from our D for the rest of this season, we'll be right there come playoff time. Not much doubt, though, that this was one of Ben's poorer performances. With some deflected and ill-advised throws, Ben nearly gave the Vikes 2 or 3 interceptions, but Viking defenders somehow couldn't snag the ball. For most of the game, Ben seemed to be out of synch and out of his element--but this seemed mainly to be the result of some very solid defense by the Vikings.

But on this Steelers team that we know and love, when one unit misfires, another unit steps up to fill the void. And that's exactly what they did on Sunday. Players stepped up big in the biggest game of the season so far. And that's what winning is all about.

Let's carry this same attitude into Denver.

GO STEELERS!!

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Attitude at altitude

Man, is it next Sunday yet!! I hate the bye week. Well, there should be no shortage of excitement around here with the Eagles/Giants game at 1:00 and the Phillies/Yankmees game later on. Oh, and don’t forget the “must see TV” game of the week featuring Brett “look how much fun I’m having” Favre against the Dom Capers led Defense of the Packers.

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 30, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Were the Monday game

And god knows this team a Monday Night team.

by svenhoek on Oct 30, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Gack!!

That’s right. Well, if that’s the worst of my problems I guess I have it pretty good, eh?

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 30, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

that is pretty much how I remember it… Defense was really pretty stout, and Ben had a bad game. Without the fumble and kick return problem, we win this one going away…

I am just happy Sunday is here so I can stop seeing the AP running over Wm Gay clip that every sports show seems to think is the most amazing thing ever.

You’d think AP went off for 160 yards against us or something…

by MarkJoel66 on Oct 30, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

Too bad Lambert and Shell retired

When I saw AP run over him, I kept wishing that I could flip a switch and substitute Jack Splat or Donnie Shell for Gay. Now that would be a collision you’d hear all over the stadium and AP would be checking to make sure he was still in one piece!

by Billy52 on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

NFL Network is a lifesaver..

This was a great game for our defense. I was even more surprised at how they truly shut the Vikes run game down. That goal-line stop at the 1 was just…. impressive. If they keep this up; there isn’t a team around that is going to rock the house on us. Ben’s game was horribly dead. Lack-luster and not nearly smooth as we’re accustomed to from him.

I still get goosebumps watching the AFC Championship game last year…. can’t help but start hummin’ “Pittsburgh’s goin’ to the Suuuper Bowl, Here We Go!”

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Oct 30, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

grrrr

we softened them up for you guys, and you came back in and cleaned up the scraps. hopefully it wont be the same situation with denver, but who knows.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 31, 2009 3:10 AM EDT reply actions

He's alive!

Okay, you can take him off the milk carton now.

by gcn on Oct 31, 2009 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions

and feeling better than ever!

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 31, 2009 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Get in line....

because there are others in front of you that have already filed the grievance that this was “theirs” and we stole it. Read the fine print: “The Pittsburgh Steelers are not responsible for teams who cannot hold up their end of the bargin and choke in the regular OR Post-season. The Black & Gold scapegoat clause has expired. Toughen up, Fluffy. You have 53 just like the Steelers do.” --although, you don’t have the Steel Curtain and for that…. we make no apologies.

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Oct 31, 2009 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions

True

Adrian Peterson was so tired after running for 140 yards against your defense that he barely got 60 against ours.

Thanks for opening those lanes for him!

by MarkJoel66 on Oct 31, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup

And your also welcome for Ray Rice wearing down that Vikings defense with all those stiff arms and broken tackles for 175 total yards.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 31, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Malor

what did you think about how the Steelers defense took care of the Vikings in the 4th quarter last week?

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Oct 31, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was impressive

Something we have yet to be able to do this year.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 31, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Well you still shoulda won

I kinda count that as a semi-W for you guys, albeit with horrid defense

by Mechem on Nov 1, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions

hopefully the ravens can work over Orton with some body blows

and knock around the CBs and wide receivers a little too. The ravens need to ask themselves “what can we do to help the Steelers?”

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Oct 31, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

I guess Orton has had some kind of rebirth in Denver.

He was always pretty lame in Chicago, but time will tell.

by Billy52 on Oct 31, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

If by lame

you mean he consistently won football games and consistently protected the football better than any other QB they’ve had recently including their current one, then yes, I’d have to agree with you on that statement.

by King Coebra on Nov 1, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

+1

haha

by SteelerStuckintheSouth on Nov 2, 2009 1:07 AM EST up reply actions

Denver

Broncos are a pretty solid no frills team, good defense, good running game, decent passing game. I think we match up pretty well against them but Ben definitely needs to have a better game than he did against the Vikes. Very few QB’s go the whole year without a mediocre game, last week was his. With an extra week to prepare, a Monday night game, I think we will have a very strong performance from the Steelers. Altitude is always a concern. I hope they go a little early to acclimate.

by DarinS on Oct 31, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

Denver's defense has only given up 66 points in 6 games so far.

So it’s unlikely that we score a lot of points in this one. We need to shut down their running game and make Orton try to move the ball through the air. And if we can make this a game of Orton vs. Ben in the clutch, I don’t see the Broncos winning.

by Billy52 on Nov 1, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Bronco D

Denver’s defense has played remarkably well for its first year running the 3-4. Luckily, the Steelers know a little something about that!

by Steeler Fan in Saudi on Nov 1, 2009 8:50 AM EST reply actions

Never easy to play in Denver

All things considered, I think this game is going to be a bigger deal than the Vikes were for us. MNF is a beautiful thing for us but playing in the Mile High City is nothing to be taken lightly. I really would like to see Ben step it up (because he’ll have to to beat the Bronc’s) and the D to continue to build confidence. I’m so darn proud of the O line~ they have really REALLY stepped up to the line and played some solid ball. I got nauseated constantly seeing them get hammered when I knew they were capable of so much more! We may not win the rest of our games (can’t figure out who will beat us though if we keep improving this way) but they are certainly deserving of kudo’s for getting up off the mat and showing us the band of brothers rebound as a team.

As always…. damn proud to be a die-hard Steeler fan.

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Nov 1, 2009 10:33 AM EST reply actions

I feel good bout ben

Last time he played there he whooped bootay, AFCCG. Gunfingers FTW

by Mechem on Nov 1, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

altitude makes a difference

If this game was in Pittsburgh, I think we win by at least 2 td’s. Denver is a different story though. Altitude makes a big difference, players get winded because they aren’t used to it. The football floats a little more. I hope they can get into town a little early and get used to it.

by DarinS on Nov 1, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions