Steelers Shoot Themselves In the Foot, Fall to Bengals

For the second week in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers started the game on fire; for the second week in a row, they shoot themselves in the foot, and lose in the final seconds of the game.

There are many people you can put the blame on this week, but the main culprit are the coaches.

For the second week in a row, Bruce Arians insisted on running the ball. Even though the Steelers were relatively successful, 103 yards on 28 carries, forcing a running game has cost the Steelers another victory.

With the exception of one time in the second half, the Steelers ran the ball on every first down. Cincinnati knew it was coming, and stopped them almost every time.

The Steelers receivers did not do much better with Hines Ward drawing two offensive pass interference penalties, Limas Sweed dropping a touchdown that hit him directly in the hands, and Santonio Holmes catching one pass for 18 yards. The only bright spot for the Steelers receiving corps, was rookie Mike Wallace, who had seven catches for 102 yards.

But as Bruce Arians is, it doesn’t matter what works because we only force a ground game that is obviously not working.

Let it be clear, that the days of the power running game are over.

As hard as that might be for some Steelers fans to swallow, we need to stop forcing  a ground game when we obviously have more success passing.

Arians has essentially handcuffed our Super Bowl QB with his play-calling. There was a reason that Bruce Arians was chased out of Cleveland, and he has brought the same problems to Pittsburgh.

Last year, the Steelers won in spite of Arians. This year, they have no chance, unless he throws away his “Coordinating for Dummies” book, and starts playing to the teams strengths.

Not to be left out, Dick LeBeau has to shoulder his share of the blame.

For the second week in a row, the Steelers linebackers were held out of the opposition’s back field, with only one sack, by James Farrior. Casey Hampton also had one, bringing the teams season total to five.

This type of play is absolutely unacceptable.

Last week, against the Bears, the Steelers beat them in every facet of the game, except the final score, when Jay Cutler threw a late touchdown pass, winning the game for the Bears.

This week, at the end of the game, the Bengals ran eight plays inside the red zone, in the final minute of the game, before Carson Palmer hit Andre Caldwell with :14 left in the game for the winning score.

For the second week in a row, the Steelers defense allowed the opposition to score at the end of the game, for the victory.

I believe that the reason for the lack of dominance is without Troy Polamalu, Dick LeBeau is afraid to run anything elaborate, for fear of getting beat deep.

There is no question that Troy Polamalu is an amazing player and he is missed on the field. But there were 10 other guys on the field with him that made the Steelers defense the best in the game last year.

Not only that, enough with the prevent, and the 10 yard cushions on every receiver on every play.

Last year, the Steelers were number one in the league against the pass. How do teams counter that? By running short crossing routes and slants. When the corners are playing 10 yards off the receiver, then the slants are a gimme every time.

Has anyone ever heard of bump and run? Every time Ike Taylor played on the line against Chad Ochocinco, he held him without a catch. On the next play, he lined up 10 yards back.

Dick LeBeau said in the off-season that he had new elaborate plays. They are not working.

Special teams coach Bob Ligashesky is not even void from criticism, allowing Chris Crocker to rush for 21 yards on a fake punt, with 1:32 left in the third quarter.

That is not to mention Jeff Reeds third missed field goal in the last seven days. This one, a 52 yard attempt, which should never have even been attempted.

But ultimately, all of this falls squarely on the shoulders of Mike Tomlin. It’s time to stop pretending that we are, what we are not.

In the last two weeks, Pittsburgh showed that they can score when they drop back and pass. Then, when they take the lead, they quit dancing with the girl that brung them there.

In the end though, what the Steelers need to learn, is how to have a killer instinct. They have to know how to punish the other team, and end the game early, instead of letting them hang around until the end.

Because every time they do, they shoot themselves in the foot.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Why Jay Cutler Beat the Steelers, and Why Carson Palmer Won’t

I have heard many conversations this week about the rising of the Cincinnati Bengals, and how they will overtake the Steelers this Sunday in Cincinnati.

Most of that talk centers around the Bengals new defense, and how if Jay Cutler can beat the Steelers with his arm, the surely Carson Palmer can do the same.

There is a distinct difference between Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer.

Jay Cutler has played his entire pro career in the AFC West, until this year. The defenses he has played against, San Diego mainly, run the 3-4 defense.

What the Steelers brought into Chicago last week was nothing that Jay Cutler was not used to seeing.

True, Carson Palmer has played his entire career against the likes of the Steelers (3-4), Ravens (3-4 hybrid), and Browns (3-4, kind of, they try).  Palmer has had nowhere near the success of Cutler.

I have said this numerous times in comments, so I decided to explain to everyone the real difference between players like Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer.

There are two basic types of quarterbacks in the NFL. Those who do well against the zone and those that do well against man-to-man.

Jay Cutler, had he been traded to the Cleveland Browns, could have changed the future of that franchise. Cutler is the first man that I can say does great against zone defenses.

The following is a list of some of the best QB’s playing against zone defenses:

Jay Cutler

Kerry Collins

Steve McNair

Tom Brady

All of these men over the years, have given the Steelers a difficult time playing against. They do not have the strongest arms, but have amazing accuracy.

They have the ability to read what a defense is doing, before they do it, and that makes them the hardest quarterbacks for a team like the Steelers to play against.

Is it a coincidence that the Steelers had a hard time in their first two weeks, playing two of the people that are on this list?  I think not.

These are the types of QB’s that know what the opposing defense is before the snap of the ball, so they can hit a quick read on a three step drop for success.

Then there are those who are good against man-to-man defenses.

Peyton Manning

Dan Marino

Joe Montana

John Elway

These men, known as some of the best ever to play that game, are better against man-to-man defenses, and have struggles against zone.

They have amazing arms, with timing, all can hit the long ball, and have the accuracy to hit a receiver in stride, anywhere on the field.

The problem with these guys, they did not see zone defenses very often, and regardless of how many times you watch it on film, it is different than live action.

Carson Palmer falls into the category of better at man-to-man.

When Palmer plays a team that runs man to man, and he gets time in the pocket to pick a defense apart. He has the arm strength to light a team up, if he gets time.

So far this season, the Bengals have played the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers. Right now, Carson Palmer is ranked 23rd in the NFL. He has completed 36-of-56 passes, for 432 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

Cincinnati is probably going to try to control the game by running the ball. As most teams know, that is not easily done against the Steelers. For the Bengals to win this game, Carson Palmer is going to have to do it with his arm.

If the Steelers play this game as they should, blitzing like Blitzburgh does, then Carson Palmer will show that he is not what Jay Cutler was.

If Pittsburgh gives Palmer time, the result will be the same as it was against Cutler.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Week 3 Picks and Predictions.

I remember the days I used to do the work football pool. In most cases, I actually ran the pool. I used to be so good at this, I would have to post my picks on my office door prior to the end of the day Friday.

There was even a point when co-workers would copy my picks prior to leaving work on Friday to make sure I wasn’t cheating.

Those were the days.

Week 1 – 9-6

Week 2 – 9-7

I have been pretty good at picking the upset specials, picking the Jets to beat the Patriots, and the Giants to ruin the Cowboys opening night of their Billion dollar stadium. Maybe all is not lost, and I just need to get back into my old routine.

So, I have my Cherry Pepsi, and my Black Jack Gum here, and I can smell the right-ness in the air. I sat down last night, and studied every match up, and am ready to break the double digit win total this week.

Redskins @ Lions

Trap game right off the bat. The Lions are a decent team for the first half of games this year. Unfortunately, there are two halvs in the NFL. The Redskins were on the brink of losing to the Rams last week, and didn’t score a touchdown, but had to win on three field goals.

Right off the bat—Upset special. Detroit ends their 19 game losing streak and beats the Redskins 17-13.

Packers @ Rams

Last weeks game against the Bengals, the Packers had a hard time with the tough defense of the Bengals, allowing Antwan Odom five sacks.

As hard as it is for me to compliment the Bengals, their defense is much improved, and the Rams are nowhere near that level.

Packers win 31-10

49ers @ Vikings

Who would have thought that this would actually be a good game prior to the start of the season?

The 49ers strength is their defense, and the Vikings offense is a machine. AP is the one of the best backs in the league, and possibly of all time.

I believe this game will be decided by the men under center, and Shaun Hill is nowhere near the level of Brett Favre, even if he were still retired.

Vikings win 21-14

Falcons @ Patriots

This could be one of the best games of the week. The Patriots are coming off a disappointing loss to the Jets, while the Falcons are riding high starting the season 2-0.

As I said before, Tom Brady is not playing like Tom Brady, and the Patriots defense, after losing five defensive leaders in the off season, and Jarrod Mayo in week one, will not be able to stop Matt Ryan and the Falcons attack.

Falcons win 24-20.

Titans @ Jets

The Titans came into the 2009 season with Super Bowl aspirations, and have lost their first two games by a total of six points. The game against the Steelers in week one could be excused. Opening night, national TV, the whole Terrible Towel stomping issue.

But losing to the Texans last week had to hurt.

The Jets are undefeated, and have not allowed either of their opponents in the end zone yet this year. Problem is, they have a banged up secondary, and if they have to commit safety up to help support the run, Kerry Collins has the ability to light up man to man coverage.

Titans win 27-20.

Chiefs @ Eagles

No Donovan McNabb, no problem. The Eagles suffered at the hands of Drew Brees and the Saints last week, who lit them up through the air. Some people say that the Saints exposed the Eagles to be susceptible to the pass. Sure if your team has a QB that can play like Brees.

The Chiefs don’t.

Phillys D will again return to dominance, and with Mike Vick able to return from suspension, the Eagles will out match the Chiefs in a big way.

Eagles win 31-13.

Giants @ Buccaneers

The Bucs are in rebuilding mode, after releasing many of their team leaders in the off season. The Giants are just a considerably better team, and Tampa has no real shot to upend the G-Men.

Giants win 27-7.

Browns @ Ravens

The Ravens defense has been known as one of the best defenses in the NFL for years. They still are monsters against the run, but their passing game has allowed the Chiefs and Chargers to throw all over them.

With Brady Quinn and Braylon Edwards, the Browns should be able to put some points on the board. The Ravens are not the run every down team that they used to be, and Joe Flacco has thrown the ball 69 times in their first two games this year.

Ravens win 21-10.

Jaguars @ Texans

The Texans looked awful in week one against the Jets, then put 34 points on the board against an amazing Titans defense. In the Jaguars first two games, they just looked bad.

The Texans look to play like they did against the Titans, and the Jaguars will have no chance.

Texans win 27-13.

Bears @ Seahawks

Though normally a tough team at home, the Seahawks are a bruised team heading into week three. The Bears are coming off an emotional win against the Steelers, and look to continue their success.

Jay Cutler has found a new weapon in Johnny Knox, and if the Hawks can get pressure on Cutler, he will have another big day with his new rookie receiver.

Bears win 24-14.

Saints @ Bills

Get your popcorn ready, TO! You are about to see an aerial assault from a QB that not even you could complain about.

The Bills defense is suspect at best, and the Saints put almost 50 points on the board against a very good Eagles team last week.

Dick Juron better not have made Sean Payton mad ever in his life, because if Payton wanted to, the Saints could score 80 points against the Bills. If he wanted to. I don’t think it will be THAT bad, but close.

Saints win 41-13.

Steelers @ Bengals

The worst thing that could have happened to the Bengals in week two was the Steelers losing to the Bears. Pittsburgh, who has not lost in Cincinnati since drafting Ben Roethlisberger, will come into Cincinnati with a chip on their shoulder the size of Paul Brown stadium itself.

For Cincy to be successful, they are going to have to control the clock by running the ball, and that is easier said than done.

Steelers win 24-17.

Broncos @ Raiders

The Broncos are looking to be the surprise team of 2009, starting off the season 2-0. They beat the Browns and Bengals, but hey, they are still 2-0.

Oakland is a good team without a good QB. Had they kept Jeff Garcia and had him as the starter, they may be 2-0 right now. The Raiders took the Chargers to the limit in week one, and beat the Chiefs last week.

This could be more of the same. This game will go to the wire, with the home team winning it in the end.

Raiders win 13-10.

Dolphins @ Chargers

The Chargers were on the brink of beating the Ravens in San Diego last week, only to have Ray Lewis blow up Darren Sproles on fourth and short to end the game.

The Dolphins controlled the clock against the Colts, having possession for over 45 minutes, but still allowed Peyton Manning to throw for over 300 yards against them.

The Wildcat is good, but the Dolphins just don’t have the fire power to hang with the Bolts.

Chargers win 31-21.

Colts @ Cardinals

Which Arizona team is going to show up? The one that lost to the 49ers in week one, or the one that played almost a perfect offensive game against the Jaguars last week?

Either way, if you are the type of person that likes high scoring games, then this one is for you.

If you are a betting person, take the over—regardless of what it may be! Just kidding, don’t gamble. Between these two teams, we very well could see 900 yards of total offense this game, and maybe more.

Cardinals win 41-37.

Monday Night Football

Panthers @ Cowboys

Dallas were humiliated losing their home opener to the Giants last week. They beat the Giants in every category except the one that counted, the score.

Tony Romo threw three picks, and it was still a close game.

Jake Delhomme is trying to get his confidence back, but it isn’t going to happen against the Cowboys.

Cowboys win 27-13.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Has the Raven Changed Its Stripes? How the Ravens Are Winning In 2009.

Prior to the 2009 preseason, I spoke with many Baltimore Ravens fans. The talk was that the Ravens, even though Joe Flacco was in his second season, the Ravens would need to pound the ball on the ground, and win with a suffocating defense.

Had you told those same fans that the Ravens defense would give up 662 yards in their first two games (580 against the pass), and been ranked 17th in total defense, Ravens fans would bet the team was 0-2.

A strange thing happened on the way to the 2009 season, The Baltimore Ravens became a pass heavy offense.

With the departure of Rex Ryan to the New York Jets, many people believed that the Ravens defense would suffer, and not be the elite unit that the Ravens fans have grown accustomed to. Turns out, those people were right.

Even with the amazing stop of Ray Lewis blowing up Darren Sproles on the Chargers final play of their 31-26 loss to the Ravens, the Ravens defense has not been remotely near what they were in 2008.

Then how do you explain the 2-0 record?  Simple, Joe Flacco.

Flacco has completed 43 of 69 passes for 497 yards to his no-name receivers. Can you imagine the Ravens throwing the ball 35 times per game? Imagine it not, as the Ravens are in the process of converting to the pass happy offense that awarded the hated Pittsburgh Steelers the Super Bowl XLIII Lombardi Trophy.

Joe Flacco is now starting to show that the Ravens do not need to pound the ball on first and second down, and hope he can throw for a first on third.

Flacco is now a real threat for the Ravens. The only question is, can he maintain it for the next 14 games?

If he can, you can expect the Ravens to be playing come January, and possibly February.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Playoff Implications In Week Two?

The NFL season is 17 weeks long, with each team playing 16 games. Many people believe that it is not the way you start, but the way you finish.

As much as that may have been true in the past, in todays NFL, those days are long gone.

In week one, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans in over time for the NFL’s kick off game. If both the Steelers and Titans win their divisions, with the same record, Pittsburgh will be the higher seed, based on the OT win.

In addition, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears, and if the Minnesota Vikings win the division, then Chicago may be left out of the playoffs because of that loss.

So, as week two is set to begin, here are the important playoff implications to keep an eye on.

 

 

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

 

Baltimore is hoping to unseat the Pittsburgh Steelers as the AFC North Champs. If they are successful, then this game with San Diego could go a long way to determining playoff seeding.

If San Diego wins the AFC West, then this game could determine who is the higher seed.

If San Diego some how does not win the West, and Baltimore can not over take the Steelers, then their playoff lives could hinge on the outcome of this game.

 

 

New England Patriots at New York Jets

 

The trash talk between the Jets and Patriots are at an all time high, but this game could go towards who will win the AFC East. If the Jets can manage to down the Pats, then not only will the confidence of Tom Brady take a shot, but the team morale of the Jets will be at an all time high.

A high they may ride all the way to a home field game in the playoffs.

 

 

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

 

The Eagles are in one of the toughest divisions in football, the NFC East, and it would not be a shock if they don’t win the division. If the Saints don’t win the NFC South, it is possible that these two teams will be competing for the same playoff spot.

With the Eagles having to play without Donovan McNabb, then they will have a hard time beating the Saints. A loss in week two could make the road to the Super Bowl that much harder on the Eagles.

 

 

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

 

As if playing Dallas was not enough of a tall task for the Giants, they are going to have to open the new home of the Cowboys, one that cost Jerry Jones over $1 billion dollars to build.

If the Eagles manage to beat the Saints, and come back in week three with both a healthy Donovan McNabb and a rejuvenated Mike Vick, the Eagles could be the team to beat in the NFC.

If the Eagles win the division, then the loser of this game will not only be in third place in the division, but also a game back in the wild card race.

The days of the NFL early season not being very important are over. Starting with week one, all games really count. There is not time to play for tomorrow, because it may be too late.

Want to know who I think will win and lose these games?  Check it out here. 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Eric Mangini Is To Blame for Short Comings of Brady Quinn and the Browns

I was reading an article from Rants from the dawg pound, by Malcolm Mathers, concerning the status of Brady Quinn, Eric Mangini, and the game with the Minnesota Vikings. I was originally going to make this a comment on his article, but it was too long, so I decided to write my own article, in defense of his starting quarterback, Brady Quinn.

The first drive of the season and they are already playing not to lose. I don’t care how inexperienced your QB is; if you can’t trust your quarterback in that situation than he should not be in there. Consider this; Quinn did not throw a pass on third down until the fourth quarter.

Here is the problem with Eric Mangini and what he did to the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

Instead of naming Brady Quinn the starter from day one, Eric Mangini allowed the Browns to have no leader for his team through the preseason, or until three days prior to the game with the Vikings.

*As for Brady Quinn, apparently he’s a work in progress, which is expected at this point of his career. Still, the dinking and dunking is really starting to grate on my nerves. From what I saw he definitely left some plays on the field and looked afraid to take a shot, which is a terrible trait for a quarterback to have.

In the huddle he looked like a guy who tells his dying wife that everything is going to be okay, but she knows that he’s lying. His timing on his slants were way off and that “miscommunication” with Braylon is on him, not to mention his Garo Yepremian-esque fumble.

The reason for this is that Quinn never had the chance to build his confidence as the starter. He basically was thrown to the wolves, by his coach, and then was expected to lead his team over a very good Minnesota Vikings team.

Quinn never had the chance to learn the timing of Braylon Edwards, or any of the other receivers for that matter. The fault for Brady Quinn’s performance cannot be on Quinn, they have to lie on Mangini.

Look at Peyton Manning in the 2007 season. He missed most of preseason with a knee injury, and it was weeks before he was able to be the Peyton Manning that won league MVP’s. And that was with receivers he already had chemistry with.

I believe that Eric Mangini did not want Brady Quinn as the starter, and the only reason Quinn is the starter is either because Randy Lerner insisted on it, or Mangini knows that Browns fans would have been insane had they had to endure another year with Derek Anderson as the starter.

I believe that those are the only reasons that Mangini went with Quinn, so that after losing a few games, he could make the switch to Anderson, and the Browns fans, just wanting to win, would welcome the change.

If the team did not succeed by the end of the season, then Mangini could say that he selected neither Quinn nor Anderson, and get a one year pass from the Browns and their owner, without being held accountable for another poor season.

I am not a fan of the Cleveland Browns, or Notre Dame for that matter. I have no ties to Brady Quinn, in any way, shape, or form. I do believe that the only chance Cleveland has for success over the next couple of years is if Brady Quinn becomes successful, and I do not believe that Eric Mangini is doing all he can to make that happen.

It is time for the Browns fans to see Eric Mangini for what he really is, a Bill Belichick wanna be, with nowhere near the talent. Mangini does not have the evaluation skills, the drive, the heart, or the brains of his predecessor, Bill Belichick.

Bill Belichick can manipulate the system, the injury report, the defection of coaches, and the injures he wins with, because the man is a great coach, with a system that works in the NFL.

As long as Cleveland fans are willing to give Mangini a free pass in the hopes that he is the next Belichick, you are bound to see more of the same. More losing and more excuses.

Browns fans deserve better than the snake oil that Mangini is selling. For your own sake Dawg Pound, see Mangini for what he really is!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Week Two NFL Picks and Predictions

Last Tuesday, I wrote my Week One preview and predictions. I will be doing this (like every other writer on the planet) each week.

Week Two is going to be a little bit different, because, quite frankly, I did such a bad job at picking against the spread (5-10), that I honestly have no business picking that way anymore.

If I worked in Vegas and did that badly last weekend, I would have fired myself.

I did much better picking straight up, finishing 9-6. I would have done better had Cincinnati not blown the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, and my upset special of the week, the Oakland Raiders over the San Diego Chargers, would have been a massive victory for me had Darren Sproles not scored with 18 seconds left.

My biggest win, which I took some heat for, was the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Carolina Panthers 31-10. I even got emails from Eagles fans telling me how crazy I was, and it turns out they beat them even worse than that.

So, without further ado, here are my Week Two picks, minus the point spread.

Panthers (0-1) at Falcons (1-0)

The Atlanta Falcons looked impressive in their Week One victory against the Miami Dolphins, while the Carolina Panthers looked like last year’s Detroit Lions. Losing Tony Gonzalez will hurt Atlanta, but not losing Jake Delhomme has hurt the Panthers worse.

Falcons win 27-12.

 

Vikings (1-0) at Lions (0-1)

The bad news for the Minnesota Vikings is they have to open the 2009 season with two road games. The good news is the games are against the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. 

The Vikings will abuse Matthew Stafford like they did Brady Quinn, and this game will be as big of a beat down as last week.

Vikings win 34-14.

 

Bengals (0-1) at Packers (1-0)

Both teams played exciting games last week, each coming out at opposite ends. Cincy lost a heartbreaker against Denver, while Green Bay won against long time rival Chicago.

The biggest concern in Cincinnati should be that they were unable to produce points against a weak Denver defense. Cincinnati is supposed to be able to put points on the board, and if they can’t, they won’t win.

Packers win 28-17.

 

Texans (0-1) at Titans (0-1)

The Tennessee Titans lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but they showed that the loss of Albert Haynesworth was not as bad as people believed it would be. They still have one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. The Houston Texans could not manage to beat the rookie-led New York Jets at home and have no chance of beating the Titans on the road in their home opener.

Titans wins big 34-7.

Raiders (0-1) at Chiefs (0-1)

Both the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs impressed me in their losses last week against the Baltimore Ravens and Chargers, respectively. I would like to make either of these teams my upset pick of the week, but this game would not be an upset regardless of who wins.

The Chiefs put a lot of points against a great Baltimore defense last week, and I think they can do it again against the Raiders.

Chiefs win 21-17.

 

Patriots (1-0) at New York Jets (1-0)

As much slack as I am going to take from New England Patriots fans about this, either Tom Brady does not seem fully healed from his injury, or he is playing scared.

He played great in the clutch last week, leading two TD drives in the last two minutes of the game. But against a weak Buffalo defense, he should have never needed them.

The Jets seem to have a chip on their shoulder now that Rex Ryan is the coach, and they are looking to knock off the Patriots.

Jets win 31-28.

 

Saints (1-0) at Eagles (1-0)

This would have been my game of the week, had Donovan McNabb not been injured. The strength of the two teams is going to be fun to watch, as the New Orleans Saints’ offense, one of the most potent in the NFL, takes on one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The real issue is, can Kevin Kolb or Jeff Garcia put any points on the board against the Saints’ defense? I am not sure, but we know that the Saints will put some up against Philadelphia.

Saints win 24-10.

 

Rams (0-1) at Redskins (0-1)

After I picked the Washington Redskins as my upset team of the week last week, they let me down. I was ready to pick almost anyone against them, it’s just the St. Louis Rams are so bad, I have a hard time picking them to beat anyone.

I am going to go with the Redskins again this week, but if they lose to the Rams, I am not going to pick them to win another game this year, even if they play the Lions!

Redskins win 17-7.

Cardinals (0-1) at Jaguars(0-1)

Arizona lost a heartbreaker to the San Francisco 49ers last week and are in danger of going 0-2. The Jacksonville Jaguars impressed me in their tough-fought loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Jags go home, and the Cardinals travel cross-country, and they are not good at winning on the East Coast.

Jaguars win 21-20.

 

Seahawks (1-0) at 49ers (1-0)

Both teams were impressive in their Week One victories, and this is the hardest game for me to pick this week.

The Seattle Seahawks spanked a much worse team that then 49ers beat, but handled the Rams like good teams should. The 49ers upset the NFC Champs.

This Week Two matchup could have implications in the division down the road as a tie breaker between the teams, so this is one of the most important games of Week Two.

I am going with the 49ers because the game is in San Francisco.

49ers win 27-24.

 

Buccaneers (0-1) at Bills (0-1)

Playing on the road on Monday night, against Tom Brady in his return from injury, the Buffalo Bills impressed me. Had Leodis McKelvin not fumbled the kickoff in the last two minutes of the game, the Bills would have upset the Patriots and cast doubt across Patriot nation.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got manhandled at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Bills win 21-13.

 

Ravens (1-0) at Chargers (1-0)

One of the best games of the week. The Ravens were unimpressive against the Chiefs last week, while the Chargers struggled against the Raiders.

The Ravens’ defense will have to perform better against the Chargers than they did against the Chiefs, or they will have no chance of beating the Chargers.

Chargers win 28-17.

Steelers (1-0) at Bears (0-1)

Both teams lost their defensive leader in Week One, as the Steelers lost Troy Polamalu for 3-6 weeks (MCL Sprain) and the Bears lost defensive captain Brian Urlacher for the season (fractured wrist).

The Steelers’ defense may have lost some of its spark, but the Bears lost possibly the best player on their team.

In the long run, this game will be decided by the man under center. Ben Roethlisberger vs Jay Cutler.

Steelers win 31-14.

 

Browns (0-1) at Broncos (1-0)

I said before the season started, these were going to be two of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and I still believe it.

I was more impressed with the Browns against the Vikings than I was with the Broncos against the Bengals. The Browns’ defense held AP, at least in the first half, and there is no one on the Broncos that is even close to as good as AP.

Browns win 24-10.

 

Giants (1-0) at Cowboys (1-0)

The Cowboys open their new stadium against one of their biggest rivals. I would think in scheduling they would have requested someone like the Lions or Redskins to open their new massive stadium.

Instead of a cupcake they will take on the Giants, and I think it will turn out to be a mistake.  The Giants’ defense is considerably better than the Buccaneers’, and they are not going to move the ball like they did last week.

Giants win in my upset special 24-19.

 

Monday Night Football

 

Colts (1-0) at Dolphins (0-1)

After losing in Week One to the Falcons, the Dolphins have to beat the Colts in order to avoid going 0-2 and causing panic in Miami.

The Colts looked less than impressive against the Jaguars last weekend, barely squeaking by what many considered (myself included) a much weaker team.

Is it that the Colts are not the same without Tony Dungy as coach? Was Miami a one year wonder? We will find out on Monday Night Football.

Miami wins 21-17.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Evolution of the Steelers: These Arent Your Parents Steelers Anymore

Being born in Pittsburgh, I was also born into Steeler Nation. Growing up, I watched Chuck Noll as he produced the finest dynasty ever in the NFL. He did so by stacking a defense with power hitters, smart players, and physical specimens that battered people because they enjoyed it.

Adding to the punishing defense, there was the pounding running game. Franco Harris and Rocky Blier would amaze fans with the ability to run around people, or through them if need be.

As time went on, and the NFL rules changed, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, and John Stallworth also took time in the lime light, but make no mistake about it, the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to run the ball and pound you with defense.

It was the blueprint for the dynasty, and it was the way the Steelers were.

As life changes, so does the NFL. No longer can a team win simply by dominating on defense (okay, the 2000 Ravens were the exception to the rule), and no longer can a team run the ball over and over and expect to be successful.

Some teams don’t even need to have a running game to be successful. Look at the Greatest show on turf of the late 90’s, and the Arizona Cardinals from last year.

It has been a slow transition for the Steelers, but the days of Chuck Noll are fading from the rear view mirror and the days of Mike Tomlin are officially here.

One thing that Mike Tomlin and Chuck Noll have in common is the devastating defense. The 2008 Steelers are the first team to remind me of the original Steel Curtain. Ranking first overall, first against the pass, second against the run, first in points against, and leading almost every other category that is important. That remains the staple of the Steelers.

You can’t, however, leave a defense on the field for 60 minutes.

In their opening game against the Tennessee Titans, the Steelers rushing game was non-existent. The Steelers rushed for 36 yards on 23 carries, for an average of 1.6 yard per carry.

If this was a one game situation, you could chalk it up to a great defensive effort by the Titans (which, not to take away from the Titans, it was), but the Steelers finished the 2008 season ranked 23rd in the NFL.

The Steelers are no longer the power running team they used to be. In the days of Jerome Bettis, Barry Foster, Bam Morris, and Franco Harris, Pittsburgh rushed to set up the pass.

Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall are never going to be in the class of the above-mentioned men. They just don’t have what it takes to play “Steeler football.”

Thursday night against the Titans, it was Ben Roethlisberger that led the team to victory, and it was on the strength of his arm and the accuracy of his passes.

Over the course of the offseason, there were many debates about who the best quarterback in the NFL was. After Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, who deservedly were one and two on every list, there were many people that put Roethlisberger anywhere from 10-18.

It’s because the Steelers have always relied on the running game and always neglected the pass.

Let’s look at Ben’s stat line for the game against the Titans.

33 of 43, 363 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT (One was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half).

This is the kind of numbers Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning put up. If Ben Roethlisberger is able to perform like this, then the Steelers need to stop living in the past and move into the future.

Ben Roethlisberger, at 27 years old, has the ability to do what Tom Brady has done. Ben Roethlisberger, like on the final drive of Super Bowl XLIII, put the Steelers on his back, and won the game for them twice tonight (twice because the Hines Ward fumble would have been the first).

The offensive line that so many people were up in arms about did a fantastic job for most of the night protecting Ben on pass plays. You can’t fault the line when the running backs don’t pick up the blitz, or Ben scrambles 19 yards backwards.

I watched the NFL Network’s presentation of America’s Game, the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers, and in it, Mike Tomlin calls Ben Roethlisberger a gunslinger. Sometimes he gets shot. And that is true.

Roethlisberger takes more sacks than anyone in football. Watching the game tonight, I noticed that every time someone was near Kerry Collins, he launched the ball to the equipment manager, for either team. I even saw that Dennis Dixon caught one of his passes.

Ben Roethlisberger is not that way. He fights for everything he can get. Does he take sacks because of it? Absolutely. But how many times does he make plays that end up being big for the Steelers? More often than not.

Steeler Nation, it’s time to stop wishing for the past to again be the present. It’s time for the Steelers to evolve into the dynasty they could be. That will not happen with Willie Parker leading the charge, and it certainly will not happen with Rashard Mendenhall.

The man to lead the Steelers to the promised land again, is Big Ben Roethlisberger.

Does anyone wonder why the Steelers struggle so bad until they go to the no-huddle offense?

Because in the no-huddle, Roethlisberger is the man that calls the plays. The reason the no-huddle works is because Roethlisberger understands his team, and the players, and the defense.

The fact is, everyone reading this is in one of two camps: they will either insist that the Steelers run the ball until it is successful, or the ones that realize that what the Steelers have in Roethlisberger is something special, something that does not happen very often in the NFL.

We can either evolve or stay the same. Evolving means putting Ben in the position to get the stats he is capable of getting, or handcuff him and expect miracles every time.

We all need to remember this Steelers team could be special, and long as we don’t expect them to be our parent’s Steelers.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Rushing Game Problems for Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Back Field.

The biggest weakness of the Pittsburgh Steelers entering the 2008 offseason was the offensive line. After the Steelers management made no real effort to improve the unit, many believed the Steelers were in for a long year.

It is debatable that the reason for the Steelers rushing game finishing 23rd in 2008, was that the offensive line was just not able to do their job. Starting out the 2009 season, the real culprit reared its ugly head, and the true identity of the weakness is no longer a secret.

The running game of the Pittsburgh Steelers, if you want to call it that, was non-existent in the season opening game Thursday on NBC. Starter Willie Parker carried the ball 13 times for 19 yards.

To make matters worse, one of those carries was for eight yards. His average minus his long run was less than one yard per carry.

Former first round pick Rashard Mendenhall had four carries for six yards, with a long of three, meaning other than his long, he averaged one yard per carry as well.

In the fourth quarter of the game, when the Steelers went to the “Lightning” package (no huddle offense), Mewelde Moore was the only running back on the field, and he managed eight yards on five carries. After his long of four yards, he also averaged one yard per carry.

Frank Summers started his first game at full back, and to say he did not play well, would be a compliment. On two separate third-and-one situations, the Tank plowed over nothing but himself, missing two critical blocks, that cost the Steelers two first downs.

A cold hard reality now face the Steelers, what happens next?

“Fast” Willie Parker looked anything but fast. Every time he touched the ball, he seemed to run directly into the defense of the Titans.

Not taking anything away from the Titans, their defense played a fantastic game, but “Fast” Willie did not look very fast. Nearing the dreaded age of 30, Willie Parker can no longer rely on his speed to just out run everyone on the field.

Playing in his contract year, Parker needs to show that he still has what it takes to be the feature back in the NFL. If tonight is any indication of how the year will go, Parker could be in his last year in the NFL.

Rashard Mendenhall, who was the Steelers 2008 first round pick, has done less than Parker. A players first year with the Steelers, they normally do not get a lot of quality playing time. Mendenhall was lost for the season five games into his rookie year.

In the preseason, while Parker was nursing injuries, Mendenhall got the start, and his chance to show that he was ready to take over the featured back role. What he showed, was he was afraid of getting injured again.

Every time Mendenhall was about to get hit, he seemed to duck, or fall, or run out of bounds. That is not what Steelers running back do.

The Steelers have a long history of having punishing running backs. From Franco Harris, Barry Foster, Bam Morris, and Jerome Bettis, the Steelers have big backs to pound of defenses, to wear them out, and win at the end.

Rashard Mendenhall is not the typical Steelers big back.

Mewelde Moore was brought to Pittsburgh to be a third down back. That is his role, that is his job. Catching passes out of the back field is where Moore excels, and when he is asked to do that, and only that, he does it well.

But, Moore is not a starter. He is not a runner that scares defensive coordinators, at least not rushing the ball.

If Moore is asked to carry the ball, he will never last an entire season, and the Steelers ground game will get no better.

Where do we go from here?

The Steelers next game is in Chicago, against the Bears. The Bears are another team that prides themselves on punishing people with their defense, as were the Titans.

So, what does Pittsburgh do about their ground game? Simple, start from scratch.

The Steelers identity is no longer the power running game, and punishing defense. The defense is still punishing, but the ground game is just not there.

It is time to cut the trends, realize that these Steelers are not your parents Steelers, and start from scratch.

Right now, there is a man that played with the Steelers this preseason, his name is Isaac Redman, and he is currently on the practice squad. He needs to be signed to the active roster immediately.

Is he the next Jerome Bettis? Doubtful. Could he do worse than Parker and Mendenhall? How much worse than one yard per carry could he be?

Redman was signed this offseason as an undrafted free agent. During the preseason, he carried the ball 37 times for 145 yards (3.9 per carry), and three touch downs. What was most impressive, his touch down run against the Carolina Panthers came with the Steelers second team in the game, and the Panthers first team defense.

On the run, Redman piled into the Panthers secondary, broke four tackles, and plowed his way into the end zone. One of those broken tackles was Julius Peppers.

Redman also scored in practice three times out of six, during the Steelers goal line drill, pitting first team offense against first team defense. If he can pound it in the end zone against the Steelers defense, then he can do it against anyone.

Justin Vincent is in his second go around with the Steelers, and like Redman, is also on the practice squad. Vincent did no where near as well in the preseason as Redman did, but the heart and determination he displayed, should at least get him a shot. Vincent could spell Redman, or play if Redman is injured.

I will be the first person to tell you that I am not sold on starting a rookie, and having even one in the back field makes me nervous. But at this point, what do the Steelers have to lose?

As long as the only options the Steelers have are “Slow” Willie Parker, and Rashard “Don’t hit me” Mendenhall, I will take a running back that is not afraid to stick his neck out, and get the job done. Even if he is a rookie.

There is an old saying, those that do not learn from their mistakes, are bound to repeat them. The mistake the Steelers made this off season (and it is the only one I have noticed), was not bringing in someone that could push Mendenhall and Parker for playing time.

Keeping them could be a mistake that eventually costs the Steelers Lombardi No. 7.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Madden Curse Strikes Again: Cover Boy Troy Polamalu Out Three To Six Weeks

As with every year, the player who graces the cover of the EA Sports’ Madden football game has been injured.

Its latest victim—Troy Polamalu.

Late in the first half of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Tennessee Titans season opener, Polamalu, who was having an All-Pro first half, sprained his MCL in his left knee on a blocked field goal attempt.

Alge Crumpler rolled up on Polamalu’s left knee as Polamalu tried to pick up the live ball and advance it.

The Steelers went on to win the game in overtime 13-10.

In his postgame press conference, according to profootballtalk.com, Mike Tomlin stated that the injury would keep Polamalu out of the lineup for three to six weeks. When asked if the injury could be more severe than they believe, Tomlin responded by saying, “I’m sure it’s possible, but we don’t have any concrete evidence it’s worse than that.”

At the earliest, Polamalu could be back for the Oct. 11 game at the Detroit Lions, and at the latest (hopefully) the Nov. 9 game at the Denver Broncos.

Beware Larry Fitzgerald.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010