Steeler matchup a great test

by Ed Valentine on Oct 22, 2008 10:42 AM EDT in News Comment 33 comments

I don't know about you guys, but I am really looking forward to the New York Giants game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Critics might say the Giants have built their NFC-best 5-1 record by fattening up on largely mediocre competition, and that's tough to argue with.

That ends Sunday, though. Beginning with the Steelers, the Giants are entering a brutal stretch.

The next 8 games? At Pittsburgh; vs. Dallas; at Philadelphia; vs. Baltimore; at Arizona; at Washington; vs. Philadelphia; at Dallas. Nothing easy about that stretch at all. I would be ecstatic with 5-3 during that span.

The matchup with Pittsburgh will tell us a lot about this team. Just look at this.

The best team in the NFC (the 5-1 Giants) against the 5-1 Steelers, who might very well be the best team in the AFC when it's all said and done.
The Giants enter the game with the league's second-ranked offense in terms of total yards. The Steelers boast the NFL's top-rated defense.
Break that down a little further. The Giants, with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, are the league's top-ranked rushing team. The Steelers have the No. 2 ranked rushing defense in the league.
Eli Manning, former Steeler Plaxico Burress and the rest of the Giants highly-regarded receiving corps against the Steelers, the top-ranked pass defense in the league.
Ben Roethlisberger against the Giants secondary -- a matchup Steeler fans think favors them.
Here's a stat that favors the Giants. They are second in the league with 21 quarterback sacks, while the Steelers porous offensive line has given up 19 and had all kinds of trouble protecting Roethlisberger.
Everyone connected with the Giants had to be disappointed with their Monday night performance in Cleveland. Going into Pittsburgh to face an even better Steeler team will be a great test of the Giants poise and resolve.
Eli vs. Ben. It's always entertaining to compare these two (something we will do in concert with Behind the Steel Curtain tomorrow). NOTE: Save your comments on that topic for tomorrow's debate.

So, yes. I am fired up for Sunday. I can't wait for it to get here.

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I have been spying on the Steelers fans

by going over to Behind the Steel Curtain undercover. Most of the posts were not overly biased and fairly accurate. BUT, I think that they really underestimate Aaron Ross’ ability. Not sure if he comes out of his funk this week . It would be a good a time as any though

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Oct 22, 2008 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We may underestimate him now, but I promise that if he burns us a few times people will be cursing his name in 10 years, no doubt about it.

by steelguy99 on Oct 22, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is going to be a great game

two teams that matchup well. The only thing that will make it better is a driving rainstorm and 30 MPH winds. A blizzard would be nice, but it may be a little early for that, even in Pittsburgh.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 22, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

I’m more worried about this game then the next 2. The Iggles and Boy’s have come back to earth and look beatable. The Steeler’s look tough as nails. We need to match them physically and take the fans out of it early.

by ProudYankee on Oct 22, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If the Steelers were looking at the Cleveland game

They saw that the Brown offensive line pushed the G-men all over the field and beat them down physically. They will look to do the same. I say this will be more of a smashmouth game, with both teams looking to dominate in the trenches. Whoever wins that battle will win the game. Low scoring game with not a whole lot of passing.

by MJ20 on Oct 22, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The steelers D-line is a serious strength. The starters have been less than healthy this year but the backups have played like starters. Expect to see the backups a lot in rotation to keep the starters fresh, at which point your O-line will probably be able to get more push. The browns play the 3-4 just like the steelers, but the steelers linebackers are unquestionably better.

One of the biggest difference makers this game will be whether or not our starting NT Casey Hampton will be healthy and ready to play. His backup is damn good, but I don’t think good enough to stop your RBs consistently. We need hampton to be healthy and playing top notch to not watch your RBs run all over us all day.

by steelguy99 on Oct 22, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

with all due respect..

the steelers O-Line is a velvet curtain

by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 22, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You won’t hear any steelers fans defending the O-line until there’s a reason to.

by steelguy99 on Oct 23, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am afraid of the downfield passing game

If the GMen aren’t able to generate consistent pressure on Big Ben, I fear guys like S Holmes and N Washington shooting down the field and putting double moves on our CB’s.

We’ve had some breakdowns in the D secondary the last few weeks when the QB has had time to sit back and allow the double moves to mature to find the open man. I’m sure the Steelers coaches have taken note of this as well, so I look for more help over the top – which is tough because it potentially takes a blitzer out of action. Big Ben has a cannon and, given time, he can really get the ball down the field.

The GMen D line MUST generate pressure on the Steelers in this game (something the Steelers O line has been susceptible as well, witness the # of sacks on Ben R. this season). So the Steelers O line vs. the GMen D line will be the battle to watch, I think.

by Cody K on Oct 22, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pressure

Cody, that is pretty much the case in every game for the Giants defense. They are built on pressure because they leave the corners out there one-on-one. If they don’t get home they can get burned. Live by the blitz, die by the blitz.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 22, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

That’s what I’m saying though, they will probably have to roll one of the S’s over the top to help out in coverage – know what I mean?

by Cody K on Oct 22, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

As you said initially, it’s all about the pressure. If the Giants don’t harass the QB they are vulnerable — no matter how they play the secondary.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 22, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steelers O line vs. Jints D line

That’s how I see it, too, and why looking ahead at the scedule it I’ve felt pretty confident we’d win. Our O line should win the battle. Of course, I didn’t think the Steelers would have such a godd a record and also was pretty sure we’d be 6-0 going into the game.

by george cronin on Oct 22, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very few win at Heinz Field,…so O-Line or not it was kinda silly of you to feel confident of a road win against the Steelers.

by ismail on Oct 22, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the same team

that set a record 12 straight wins away from Giants stadium.

by ProudYankee on Oct 22, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steelers are stronger at home than the Giants are on the road. Atleast I think so. Plus,…sure you guys are defending champs,…but you’re going against guys that were recents champs as well. We have just as much Super Bowl pedrigree.

by ismail on Oct 22, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Feeling confident

is not silly for a defending Super Bowl champion with a 5-1 record and coming off a major road winning streak.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" ~ Tom Brady

by mwilli on Oct 22, 2008 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't have said it better myself

My confidence is based on the small size of the Steelers D line compared, say, to the Browns. Then again, the Steelers are 5-1

by george cronin on Oct 22, 2008 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Comparing the Browns D-Line favorably against the Steelers’ makes me wanna laugh. The Steelers D-Line is superior in every imaginable way,…stronger, faster, smarter, mentally tougher. Are you kidding me? If Shaun Rogers gave you problems wait till you meet Casey Hampton,…he’s basically a harder working Shaun Rogers. And we have probably the most underated DE in the entire league,….Aaron Smith,…the guy is a monster against the run.

by ismail on Oct 22, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steelers D-Line

is far better then the Browns. Shaun Rogers is their ownly good line man and Hampton is probably better. As a 3-4 linebackers also have a lot to do with pressure and there is no comparison between the Steelers and the clowns in LB’s.

by archon095 on Oct 22, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hampton

isn’t he hurt?

by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 22, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah he’s playing.

by ismail on Oct 22, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rogers is more of a penetrating sack the QB type of DT like Haynesworth. He’s good against the run, but he doesn’t anchor like Hampton. Hampton gets zero pass rush, but he’s been know to throw centers into running backs. He’s been out with a hammy, but he’s almost definitely playing this week.

The other crux of our DL is Aaron Smith, who’s about as good as it gets for 3-4 DE’s. He’s been nominated for so many “best player you’ve never heard of” awards he’s almost known now.

Both of these guys cut their teeth holding their ground against double teams or defeating single blocks in the running game. They’re the real reason our running D has been what it’s been for the last 6-7 years.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 22, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smith's injury last year

Was probably one of the biggest reasons that the Steelers lost in the first round in Jacksonville. Without him we were pitiful against the run. It also didn’t help that we our starting running back was out and we had no replacements.

Really eager to see the match-up here. You guys have a great line, great backs. We have a great DL against the run, and a set of stud linebackers.

Should make some noise.

by SteelerBuddha on Oct 23, 2008 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know what was awesome about the browns vs. steelers game?

Shaun rogers in the 4th quarter. The man was dead, dead, dead. The steelers took everything from him and he had nothing. 350 pounds full steam for 3 quarters is all you are going to get.

Of course, chicken-eating hampton isn’t that much better. The steelers seem to be pretty good at rotating him out to keep him “fresh” though, so I haven’t seen him too winded this season.

by steelguy99 on Oct 23, 2008 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eli

is good but it’s his 5th year and he has not sniffed the Pro-Bowl yet. And all though some of us may feel its a popularity contest, it’s undeniable that it is a measuring stick of consistency and excellence. For all I know he can rebound and make it this year. But I want to see 300+ passing games with multi-TD’s involved. It is not much to ask. He is a phenomenal talent. But if he never makes it to a Pro-Bowl and wins 3 Super Bowls he’ll be a HOF regardless. I just want to see him light it up vertically constantly.

Like some of the Greats. 250+yards a game is nice but 300+ IS SEXY.

by ProudYankee on Oct 22, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sexy

Winning is SEXY, not 300-yard passing games. Those don’t matter, and the only way Eli gets those is if the Giants can’t run the ball. If they can’t run the ball that means they are in deep shit, they can’t run the ball and they probably aren’t winning.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 22, 2008 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

winning is sexy which is why I don’t complain about Eli’s pedestrian stats. I accept it. Thinking ahead, chances are Eli signs a very long term contract , he will probably outlast a multitude of players on our present staff and in seeing this, his vertical game will have to mature more because when our dominant running game fades out we will need him to carry us forward. Do you agree in that perspective?

by ProudYankee on Oct 22, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we'll just

get more running backs. 2 years ago did ANYONE think we’d have maybe the best running attack in the league w/o Tiki and without picking up any big-name backs to replace him?

by cjmulrain on Oct 22, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

Eli already carries a huge load. Just because he doesn’t pile up 300-yard passing games doesn’t mean he isn’t doing his job. As for the future, who knows?

by Ed Valentine on Oct 22, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love this matchup

This should be a very physical game. If the Giants D-line is able to exploit the Steelers mediocre O line it will be a long day for Ben. Although Ben has beat a mean Ravens D and a solid Jags D, with a 3rd string running back. Pressure will be nothing new, but the Steelers O has been using a lot more draws and short passes lately so i expect a steady dose of that Sunday. Plaxico comes back to Hines field for the first time. I must admit i miss my boy Plax.

by SteelerDomination on Oct 23, 2008 3:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The secondary

will be a very busy place for both defenses, and before the day is done between Brandon Jacobs and Hines Ward punishing defenders a lot of guys will be looking out their helmets through their ear holes. Both of these teams are capable of intense physical play and I expect to see a lot of big hits and blocks from both teams.

It will also be interesting to see how Plaxico plays against his old team.

by giant fan since 57 on Oct 23, 2008 4:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs