"If they can get pressure on Warner"

[Crazy Canuck]

Pressure with good downfield coverage. We can cover Fitz and Boldin while getting pressure on Warner without blitzing.

You'll be the first... and you forgot our other 1000 yard receiver.

 

[CardLogic]

i highly doubt that the goal of that game wasnt to win it. thats what the goal of the game is. if Arizona wins that, they have a chance at a higher seed.

How'd that work out for NYG and Tennessee?

Face it; whether we like it or not (I don't), the Cardinals kicked back following their clinching the NFC West Division; they coasted.

They got a playoff tune-up vs. Seattle the last game of the regular season. And they have been kicking some ass since!

If you believe that the team the Steelers will face in the Super Bowl has any resemblance to the team that lost vs. Philly on Thanksgiving, or to Minny, or NE; other than the jerseys they will be wearing; then there is no basis for further discussion.

 

[Russ Smith]

i didnt say that this was the defining game of the Cards. a poster said that no team in the league has covered both Boldin and Fitz. Minnesota did that. the next post was a guy throwing a blanket statement on Steelers fans that they never post facts and assume we have the best team in football. well, i posted facts differing from a blanket statement made. saying no one can cover those two is pretty ignorant if you ask me, especially since its been done before. i have respect for em, but i think they can be contained

FWIW Leinart threw for over 400 yards against that Viking defense 2 years ago when they were yet again impossible to run on. THat's why we threw 51 times in that game.We lost but we put up 26 on them.

Minnesota handled us well this year no question, the real problem in that game was getting their offense off the field. They ran for over 200 yards on us and everytime we tried to stop the run, they'd catch us out of position for a passing TD. If Pittsburgh runs for 200 yards on Sunday I think we can agree they're going to win the game?

 

[DoTheDew]

How'd that work out for NYG and Tennessee?

Face it; whether we like it or not (I don't), the Cardinals kicked back following their clinching the NFC West Division; they coasted.

It is interesting when you compare it to last year where NE played at a high level all season long and by the time the SB came around they clearly didn't have as much left in the tank as the Giants. That isn't to knock the Giants but I think NE was the more talented team, but their OLine looked worn out, Brady looked like he was playing at 80%, their D looked even older than it is.

I actually think our coasting has in a weird way helped us regain focus, stay healthy, and kept our starters fresh.

 

[CardLogic]

I actually think our coasting has in a weird way helped us regain focus, stay healthy, and kept our starters fresh.

It was the plan all along...

 

[Cheesebeef]

i highly doubt that the goal of that game wasnt to win it. thats what the goal of the game is. if Arizona wins that, they have a chance at a higher seed.

trust me. that Cardinals team literally didn't even show up. My father and I said as much to each other after the first series and it never changed. You probably haven't seen many of these games (and be thankful for it), but we've been accustomed to seeing this team just flat out not showing up from the first snap. you can see it in the immediate penalities, dropped passes and awful special teams play right from the get go. happened too many times this season, but that's in the past and this team is a completely different animal than the one that thought the regular season ended when they clinched the division.

I'm not saying your absolutely wrong, but the difference in this team before and after they clinched the division was night and day. People forget that at 7-3 and going into the Giants game, people were speculating whether or not it was a possible NFC Title game matchup. That's not just because of our record at the time. It was because we were playing good football. Now we're back to that level and pushed a little higher so take whatever you want from any game during that horrific stretch after we clinched with a huge grain of salt. It may be tough to swallow that we just kind of mailed it in at that point, but if you watched games before we clinched and once the playoffs started, you'll see a team that was/is completely different from the one playing out the string on the regular season.

 

[ajcardfan]

I don't think our front seven shed more than a half dozen blocks the entire Minnesota game. I hadn't seen that lack of hustle since the McGinnis era. I wondered if they were hung over. They certainly weren't interested in playing.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Who has heard enough of this already? It seems to be the strategy de jour to attack us. Hasn't Kurt already proven that he has a lightning fast release? That we are giving him juuuuust enough time to find one of his overwhelmingly, and seemingly endless, talented group of recievers?

"Getting to Kurt" isn't going to be a winning strategy, especially with the focus now squarely on Fitz. He's got Boldin (who, oh yeah, him...fastest to 500 catches ever and breaks tackles like they are kids on a flag football squad), and Breaston (1000 yards as the third WR) and Edge (underrated catching balls) and Arrington (speed) and Hightower (we ran a screen play to win the NFC title, are you serious?) and tight ends who may not be able to block but can catch very well (and in the case of Pope, can false start with the best of them).

No..."getting to Kurt" actually plays directly into our hands.

We won't run as well as we want to against the Steelers, but we will run it, and will get 2-3 yards, enough to open up that middle and the short pass outs we love to run.

Getting to Ben? NOW THAT IS A SUBJECT!!! Ben is one of the most-hit QBs in the league. We will be all over him, but we need to stay home on the little passes...but he won't get those bailout 5 seconds and a dumpoff for 70 yards he loves to earn his bread and butter on.

But getting to Kurt? Please...please try. He will be in 15 yard penalty territory when you hit him, while one of our weapons has the ball moving upfield.

Yeah, get some pressure on Kurt. Please. We will eat that alive. I don't think Dick is that dumb to focus his defense on hitting Kurt. He'll disguise and drop, which may lead to some mistakes by Warner...but pressure isn't a problem. Not at all.

I usually agree with you big fella, but I think their D line vs. our oline is probably the key battle.

If Warner gets comfortable, and gets into a rhythm, its pretty much over. We'll outscore them, even winning in a shoot out if necessary.

But I also think for Warner to get comfortable, our running game will have to keep them honest early in the game. Edge will have to grind out his usual 3.7 yards per carry.

 

[SteelCityMom]

trust me. that Cardinals team literally didn't even show up. My father and I said as much to each other after the first series and it never changed. You probably haven't seen many of these games (and be thankful for it), but we've been accustomed to seeing this team just flat out not showing up from the first snap. you can see it in the immediate penalities, dropped passes and awful special teams play right from the get go. happened too many times this season, but that's in the past and this team is a completely different animal than the one that thought the regular season ended when they clinched the division.

I'm not saying your absolutely wrong, but the difference in this team before and after they clinched the division was night and day. People forget that at 7-3 and going into the Giants game, people were speculating whether or not it was a possible NFC Title game matchup. That's not just because of our record at the time. It was because we were playing good football. Now we're back to that level and pushed a little higher so take whatever you want from any game during that horrific stretch after we clinched with a huge grain of salt. It may be tough to swallow that we just kind of mailed it in at that point, but if you watched games before we clinched and once the playoffs started, you'll see a team that was/is completely different from the one playing out the string on the regular season.

I understand this completely...that's how it felt for the Steelers/Titans game. It was like as soon as they had the AFCN locked up and #2 seed locked up, they just sort of didn't show up for that game. Most fans were shocked at how vanilla the defense looked that game...whether it was on purpose to not give too many looks away should we see them again in the playoffs or if they were just that tired from a long 5 week stretch, I don't know...it was just ugly though lol.

Cards are playing their best ball right now though and I feel like the Steelers are too again, so this has all the ingredients for a great game.

 

[conraddobler]

Let's get real here a second.

No one makes it through the teams we made it through by accident so we deserve to be here because we won and that's pretty much that.

The Steelers the same.

I think it's interesting the difference in the two leagues but mainly in the two divisions, they are kind of night and day.

The Steelers play smashmouth football and the Cardinals just basically don't.

This leads people to believe that we're some fluke or that we're soft or something and that's just not accurate, we played an extremely physical game against Dallas for one, the fact we won was nice but we tore them a new one just in terms of hurting them.

The Steelers aren't going to be out toughed that's a given, the Ravens tried that and failed and it's just not possible but it is possible that a lot of D stats the Steelers got was from playing in a division with less than potent offenses.

I'm not saying they don't have a good defense they do but look at one of their losses and you'll see the Colts in there.

IMO when we're on we'll be one of the if not the toughest offenses they face all year.

So I expect a good game that either team can win, and it will be won largely by the team making the most plays as always.

I totally don't buy that either team wins in a walk, no it's going to be a good fight.

 

[Trophytown]

You'll be the first... and you forgot our other 1000 yard receiver.

How many games have the Cardinals lost where they had the services of all three 1000 yrd receivers ?

 

[Stout]

How many games have the Cardinals lost where they had the services of all three 1000 yrd receivers ?

Who cares? You can talk all you want about how you're going to shut down our entire offense, but the majority of intelligent Steelers fans, and the organization of the Steelers, is worried about it and how they are going to game plan it. Just like intelligent Cards fans and the Cards themselves are worried about your defense and how we're going to attack it. Give the trolling a rest, please.

 

[Mulli]

When was the last time the Steelers faced an offense like the Cardinals? Cards had plenty of success against the Eagles D.

 

[Trophytown]

Who cares? You can talk all you want about how you're going to shut down our entire offense, but the majority of intelligent Steelers fans, and the organization of the Steelers, is worried about it and how they are going to game plan it. Just like intelligent Cards fans and the Cards themselves are worried about your defense and how we're going to attack it. Give the trolling a rest, please.

Who cares ???? Someone introduces the element of a stellar talented unit of wideouts and suggests they cant be stopped. NOW.........i posed a question. Regard the QUESTION...........how many games have the Cards lost with their talented group of wideouts ?

And everytime someone posts a comment or statement you dont like, you cant just label it as trolling.

Nobody is implying "shutting down" your entire offense, but im pretty confident the Steelers can limit your opportunities and force some bad reads with disguised coverages and get Warner throwing off his back foot. We get a flurry of good series and some good shots on him, i think it will take its toll by the last quarter.

But enough with the x's and o's since you just like to debate nonsense. Just answer my aforementioned question.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

did you read my post? facts and references, both that were relevant

Sure, relevant....right.

Boldin had six catches in that game, Fitzgerald had five, Breastion had four, and Urban had 3 for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Warner threw for 270 yards, and that was taken out mid way through the 3rd quarter.

Minnesota didn't shut down anything. They got on the Cardinals early, and our team (who had NOTHING to play for) just let the game go.

I have no problem with your confidence in your team's secondary but on paper we have the advantage.

What will happen Sunday...who knows.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

how many games have the Cards lost with their talented group of wideouts ?

Six.

What is the point ?

 

[chickenhead]

I agree with cheesebeef about the Minnesota and New England games being relatively useless for analysis. Almost as useless as citing some of the division wins to illustrate what the Cards can do against the Steelers. The Cards rolled over after they clinched, unfortunately. But fortunately, we've seen some much better--and more relevant--games since then.

The Steelers D is great. I really respect it and enjoy watching it. I also think the Cards are uniquely positioned to compete with it. Warner reads blitzes well, and I don't think any QB in the league has better options when he needs to get rid of the ball. I think one of the keys will be a motivated Boldin being the YAC monster we know he can be.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Here is the problem with Puttzburgh that many of us miss. They can get to the QB rushing 4 - 5 guys. They don't necessarily need to blitz. The problem lies in the fact that you never know what 4 or 5 guys thats going to be as they drop DL into coverage more then any other team.

That worries me because I have replays of the Giants last year getting to Brady and knocking him over a ton. Also when you have 2 weeks to prepare it almost always favors the defense.

The two things we have going for us in that scenario is

A) Play Calling. The cool thing about this playoffs? We have been putting up these passing numbers in 1 and 2 WR formations. That is killer on a defense because even if you are giving the illusion you can run for 3 or 4 yards a pop we become inifintely harder to cover. The other good thing is Haley has been masterful at getting the pass rush upfield and dumping off a screen or a quick curl route. I expect with Wiz's help to have a good game plan...

B) And thats key: Wizs help. He faced Lebeau offensively in practice every day and knows what the old man likes to do and what tricks he may pull out. Conversely this offense is very much Haleys so Lebeau won't have the same advantage - even from last year. That and Wiz's knowledge of what make Ben tick are going to be very important to the game and no one will recognize it.

I actually think as of today we have the more complete team both offensively and defensively. So while I don't see us scoring 30 points I don't think they are going to have a field day on "O". It will be close and will comedown to TO's and ST's.

I like us by a TD with the defense on the field at the end

B)

 

[LukesDad88]

When was the last time the Steelers faced an offense like the Cardinals? Cards had plenty of success against the Eagles D.

Well, let's look at the top ten in several categories, shall we?

Points per game: (Cards tied at #3 with 26.7 PPG)

Chargers (#2 at 27.4 PPG) 17.5 PPG against Steelers
Giants (#3 at 26.7 PPG) 19 offensive points against the Steelers
Eagles (#6 at 26.0 PPG) 14 against the Steelers
Patriots (#8 at 25.6 PPG) 10 against the Steelers


Yards per game: (Cards ranked #4 at 365.8 YPG)

Texans (#3 at 382.1 YPG) 234 against the Steelers
Patriots (# 5 at 365.4 YPG) 267 against the Steelers
Giants (#7 at 355.9 YPG) 282 against the Steelers
Chargers (#9 at 349 YPG) 213 and 290 against the Steelers

Passing Yards per game: (Cards ranked #2 at 292.1 YPG)

Texans (#4 at 266.7 YPG) 158 against the Steelers
Colts (#5 at 255.9 YPG) 228 against the Steelers
Eagles (#6 at 244 YPG) 196 against the Steelers
Chargers (#7 at 241.4) 213 and 275 against the Steelers (although alot of that 275 was garbage time)
Cowboys (#9 at 236.8) 194 against the Steelers


Perhaps the best analysis of Stats can be found at Football Outsiders. They break down each and every play of the season and assign value for it. These values are weighted as well by the DVOA of the team that is played against. They are usually right on the money. This year, for instance, their numbers kept on coming up supporting a Baltimore/Philly Superbowl (this is back when Philly was 5-5-1 and considered out of the running and Baltimore was one game from being out of the Playoffs. It was causing much consternation amongst their statisticians. Of course, in the end, they were far more accurate than anybody could believe. Their final numbers had Baltimore #1, Pittsburgh #2, Philly #3, and Arizona? Well, you guys have blown up their estimates this postseason, too. They had you guys ranked #13.

My point is that Stats can tell a story, but in a one game scenario, don't tell the whole story.