Bucs a trap game?

And not just as a trap game.

The defense’s absolute dominance has obscured the offense’s ineptitude. Hard to believe that, in a game where we forced seven turnovers, the opponents had the ball with less than sixty yards to go for a tying score in the final minute. The defense was dominant enough that I wasn’t really worried (well, not very worried), but still, that’s a little scary.

The bucs aren’t a great team, but they’re a good team, and failing to score, especially failing to score touchdowns, always leaves the door open for your opponents. We have to slam the door this week.

I think we can and we will, but I want to see some production from our offense. Charlie Batch, please step forward.

That said, I think it ends Good Guys 13, Swishbucklers 3.

I am worried about the O.
If Lefty is well enough to play, really, BA can open up the O for the first time this season.
Starks/Lefty’s health will determine the playcalling.
Essex being out only concerns me due to the fact that we’ve seen approxematly 7000 combo’s along the line in two games. Continuity for a game or two would be nice. I also called Essex being replaced this season, lots have, anyway so Legs gets his shot and if he falters, Foster I think will come in and take the job. It’s earlier than I thought, and I’m suprised he was not first to replace Essex, but he’s the guy I thought would. I wonder if it’s because he’s the top LG backup and Legs is the top RG backup.

after a full week with the 1st teamers, this will be the first week the squad scores over 20 points.

My prediction: Steelers 24 opponents 6

But I am not sure it will be. I do not think any game will be treated lightly, especially without Ben. I think until Ben gets back the rest of the team will do whatever they can for a win. I could be wrong, but I hope not. If we have a trap game, I think it will be later in the season after Ben is back.

Anytime you’re playing a game where you know the defense has to be downright dominant and you’re just hoping your offense doesn’t gift wrap points for the opposition, you have to worry about each and every opponent. One fluky kickoff return or bobbled snap or tipped ball at the line of scrimmage could be the difference between a win or a loss. The Bucs are a very good team but right now we’re a damn good defense trying to keep a pedestrian offense afloat.

The bucs are 2-0, but that’s against the panthers and browns. I don’t see our team over looking them, and if both teams play like they have the first two weeks the Steelers win… and it won’t be close.

Somehow I can’t see Arians not calling a single first down pass play with Batch working with the 1’s for a week. The passing game may not be stellar this week, but it will be more than enough to help the run game put some points up.

Steelers 24 – 3

Think they learned their lesson from last year? I think Batch will be fine..He will not WIN you a game, but he won’t lose it either..He throws 17-25 2 TDs and finally, Mendy will have room to run…BTW, Hines, Millerr, please make those catches on Sunday?

First off, it is an away game… and, yes I know the Steeler nation will turn out in droves, but it is always hard to win on the road. The “Bottom feeder” games of last year that we lost… 2 out of the three were away games.

Second, if the heat is bad, and the Bucs don’t go all Vince Young, I can see them eventually getting to us. We were fortunate to get the turnovers we got. I know we worked for them, but sometimes you work just as hard and still don’t get them. If Vince doesn’t throw that pick in the endzone, this game is much different heading into the 4th quarter. I’ve said this before, our defense was designed to play balls out… you can’t do that in 100 degree heat unless A) your offense eats up the clock, or B) You get turnovers. Last week we got turnovers. If we don’t this week, 4th quarter is going to be tough..

Third, they might not want to say it, but the Steelers must have (somewhere) thought: Hey, 2-2 is where we have to get to… Well, they are there. They worked hard to get there, sure. But it’s not like they have never taken a game off before after playing hard for a stretch (see Minnesota game in 2008).

So, yeah, it’s a concern. And it is a trap game. I don’t think this one will be decided before the last 2 minutes of the game. Overtime would not shock me.

What can keep us free from the trap:

• I like what MB said about getting fined. That keeps the Steelers pissed… and a pissed Steelers defense is a good Steelers defense.
• The Defense already has a reason to play hard: They have real pride, and last year smarted more than a little a bit. They may be on a mission this year to prove how good they are defensively. You have to figure everyone talking about the Jets and their amazing defense has got these guys more than a little peeved. I remember how the Patriots came out firing the year they were nailed for “Spy-Gate”. It was like Tom Brady and company were determined to run up the score and show everyone that they could win without cheating… well, I expect a similar performance from the Defense this year. Plus the fact, you’d better believe this defense wants to get Coach HOF to the Super Bowl again — especially this year.
• Hey, it is Tampa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is a team that was so bad last year, they thought Byron Leftwich would be an upgrade, and let him start the season… this is the same Leftwich that the folks around here thought was a 3rd stringer at best… They really don’t have the skill set to match the level of the Steelers… unless the Steelers decide to match theirs.

I believe Tomlin has this team so focused, they would take UNT seriously if they played them.

I believe they do feel a bit pissed about being overlooked. They want to go 4-0 to prove that one man does not make a team. I just can’t buy into this being a trap game.

If they lose, it will be because they had too many turnovers, and did not execute there game plan enough. Having said that, I say 20-3 Steelers. They are fired up, and ready to beat down the Captain Morgans.

I recently watched a video about the Steeler D, on NFL.com I think it was. The thing that jumped out at me was Arron Smiths comments to DD after throwing an interception against Tennessee. His remarks were along the lines of, “shake it off, we’ll get it back for you brother” or something close to that.

I’ve noticed something in the Big Ben era that I don’t see from a lot of other teams. There is a trust and a camaraderie that exists between our offensive and defensive units that IMO keeps the guys loose as well as focused. I’ve never seen members of either the offense or the defense throw their counterparts under the bus, even in the worst of circumstances.

This defense is very well aware of the struggles facing their offensive teammates. I think it has a lot to do with how well they are playing at this juncture. If there is a trap game on the horizon it will be after BB returns not before.

Many times have I heard guys from the defense speak in glowing terms about the offense, especially their franchise QB, and vice versa. Unlike many other teams who’s defense and offense seem to be in competition with one another, on this team there is clearly a confidence in and reliance upon the guys who take the field after them.

The chips are down for the offense right now and the defense has their back, I believe this wholeheartedly. I also believe that the offense will be determined to improve upon their poor early start if for no other reason than they know just how much the defense has risen to the challenge. Steelers win this game convincingly.

I’ll be amazed if the Steelers score more than 20 points and not surprised if the Bucs don’t score more than 10. A have a hunch that turnovers will be a factor in the outcome, but not sure for which team.