Let's Take a Closer Look at the Steelers D

[PACardsFan]

Taking a closer look at the Steeler's schedule, I'm not nearly as impressed as others in the sports media are. They have played some EXTREMELY weak offensive units & actually lost to some of the better units.

Houston (Offensive rank - 17)

Cleveland (#31) playing them twice just padded those stats.

Bengals (#32) Another offensive juggernaut to play twice.

Baltimore (#11), but in passing they were #28.

Jaguars (#24) A stinker of a season

Washington (#28) what more can be said

Dallas (#18) That's inflated because this game was in Dec. & the Cowboys rank in Dec was #30.

Titans ( #14 overall, but #27 in passing offense) They torched the Steeler secondary.

Chargers (#7) Game was played in horrible weather 11-10 score)

Eagles (#6) THEY LOST

Giants (#3 overall, but #16 in passing offense)) THEY LOST @ HOME

Colts (#13) THEY LOST @ HOME

Pats (#8) Steelers get legitimate credit in this game

My point - The Steelers have not faced an offense like ours all season. The Cardinals overall ranking on offense was #4 & we were #2 in passing offense. The Steelers D will have their hands full trying to stop us. Warner will be MVP & will throw 3 tds. MARK IT DOWN NOW!

 

[Covert Rain]

Tha'ts all find and dandy but this team has not faced a defense like the Steelers either. As well as the eagles defense had played.....the Steelers defense is on another level.

This is still the NFL. To finish with the stats they did cannot be underestimated. That's why this is going to be a great matchup.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Great thread.

 

[43Hitman]

Great thread.

you guys should really look at your regular season opponents as well. Then it will be a great thread.

 

[SteelCityMom]

Where are you getting your rankings from? NFL.com has some different rankings than what you are posting.

Total offense/Passing offense

Houston: 3rd/4th
Cleveland: You got right
Philly: 9th/6th
Baltimore: 18th/28th
Jax: 20th/15th
Cincy: You got right
Giants: 7th/18th
Wash.: 19th/23rd
Indy: 15th/5th
SD: 11th/7th
NE: 5th/12th
Dallas: 13th/9th
Tenn.: 14th/27th

Keep in mind with Cincy and Cleveland that their stats look so horrible partly because they have to play both the Ravens and Steelers twice a year...not that I think they'd be powerhouses regardless (Cincy may have done better if Palmer had been healthy and played a full season) but Balt. and Pitt have a lot to do with their dismal seasons.

You can say the defensive stats are inflated for the Steelers all you want, but the same could be said for the Cardinals offensive stats for the regular season, the only team they beat with a decent defense were the Cowboys.

 

[43Hitman]

Where are you getting your rankings from? NFL.com has some different rankings than what you are posting.

Total offense/Passing offense

Houston: 3rd/4th
Cleveland: You got right
Philly: 9th/6th
Baltimore: 18th/28th
Jax: 20th/15th
Cincy: You got right
Giants: 7th/18th
Wash.: 19th/23rd
Indy: 15th/5th
SD: 11th/7th
NE: 5th/12th
Dallas: 13th/9th
Tenn.: 14th/27th

Keep in mind with Cincy and Cleveland that their stats look so horrible partly because they have to play both the Ravens and Steelers twice a year...not that I think they'd be powerhouses regardless (Cincy may have done better if Palmer had been healthy and played a full season) but Balt. and Pitt have a lot to do with their dismal seasons.

You can say the defensive stats are inflated for the Steelers all you want, but the same could be said for the Cardinals offensive stats for the regular season, the only team they beat with a decent defense were the Cowboys.

What she said!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Steelers have played one game above 50 degrees. There defense is grossly overrated by the fact that they play consistently in sub optimal conditions that hide how weak their corners are. They will be exposed this weekend on a fast track field in Tampa.

 

[SteelCityMom]

Steelers have played one game above 50 degrees. There defense is grossly overrated by the fact that they play consistently in sub optimal conditions that hide how weak their corners are. They will be exposed this weekend on a fast track field in Tampa.

They played 5 games in bad weather conditions (NE, Dallas, 2nd Cincy game, SD and the first Cleveland game) and won them all, that means there were 7 other games they played in good weather conditions and won (4 of them away games).

I'm pretty sure there was more than one game they played in above 50 degree weather...you may be right, but I'm not going and digging through web sites to find out. If that's the reason you want to use for the Cards winning though so be it.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

They played 5 games in bad weather conditions (NE, Dallas, 2nd Cincy game, SD and the first Cleveland game) and won them all, that means there were 7 other games they played in good weather conditions and won (4 of them away games).

I'm pretty sure there was more than one game they played in above 50 degree weather...you may be right, but I'm not going and digging through web sites to find out. If that's the reason you want to use for the Cards winning though so be it.

Heard it on Colin Cowherd. He does his research.

Don't be shocked when we drop 30 on you like we have every other team in the playoffs.

 

[SteelCityMom]

Heard it on Colin Cowherd. He does his research.

Don't be shocked when we drop 30 on you like we have every other team in the playoffs.

Eh ok...

 

[LukesDad88]

Taking a closer look at the Steeler's schedule, I'm not nearly as impressed as others in the sports media are. They have played some EXTREMELY weak offensive units & actually lost to some of the better units.

Houston (Offensive rank - 17) #4 Pass Offense. If you Take the Steeler Game out of their average, they're #3. Just Behind the Cards.

Cleveland (#31) playing them twice just padded those stats. Division, Look at yours.

Bengals (#32) Another offensive juggernaut to play twice. See Above.

Baltimore (#11), but in passing they were #28. Take the Steeler games out, and they move up further. Also, did it to them three times. Plus, they were the foutth best rushing team, shut down three times (rushing's part of the game, too.

Jaguars (#24) A stinker of a season I'll agree, there.

Washington (#28) what more can be said I seem to remember them beating you guys...

Dallas (#18) That's inflated because this game was in Dec. & the Cowboys rank in Dec was #30. The Steeler Defense is part of the reason they are ranked so low in December.

Titans ( #14 overall, but #27 in passing offense) They torched the Steeler secondary. Yep. And if Lebeau hadn't been hiding his schemes that go around, and if Arians hadn't been running bizarre plays, That one would have had me worried.

Chargers (#7) Game was played in horrible weather 11-10 score) Snow Flurries? That's horrible weather? I thought you lived in PA. Anyway, that horrible weather didn't stop Roethlisberger for throwing over 300 yards...

Eagles (#6) THEY LOST Yep, but not because of the defense. If you take that game out of the Eagles season, they would have been the #4 Passing Offense. Behind Saints, you guys, and Texans. But they did play them, and got knocked down two spots.

Giants (#3 overall, but #16 in passing offense)) THEY LOST @ HOME Because of a snap over a punter's head. Nothing to do with Defense.

Colts (#13) THEY LOST @ HOME Yep. And held Manning well below his average.

Pats (#8) Steelers get legitimate credit in this game

My point - The Steelers have not faced an offense like ours all season. The Cardinals overall ranking on offense was #4 & we were #2 in passing offense. The Steelers D will have their hands full trying to stop us. Warner will be MVP & will throw 3 tds. MARK IT DOWN NOW!

We faced some of the best offenses of the league. Five teams whose passing game ranked in the top 10. None of those teams played up to their average. Indianapolis did the best, They played within 15%. The others were down between 25%-45%. If the schedules had been different, and we faced you guys instead of the Texans and Eagles, either of those two teams might have been the #2 passing attack in the NFL.

 

[43Hitman]

Heard it on Colin Cowherd. He does his research.

Don't be shocked when we drop 30 on you like we have every other team in the playoffs.

Colin Cowherd in a complete turd, who will make up stats to get a reaction on the phone lines.. He is the Mark Madden of BSPN radio....

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Again...cold temperatures, 20 mile an hour +winds, rain, snow, and other variances won't be there Sunday.

Be ready...

 

[SteelersDave]

Steelers have played one game above 50 degrees. There defense is grossly overrated by the fact that they play consistently in sub optimal conditions that hide how weak their corners are. They will be exposed this weekend on a fast track field in Tampa.

Your team lost 7 games this year, and were blown out in a few as well. So is it your offense or defense that is overrated?

 

[43Hitman]

Again...cold temperatures, 20 mile an hour +winds, rain, snow, and other variances won't be there Sunday.

Be ready...

Lmao!...Good, then there will be no excuses when all of you are sorely disappointed on Sunday Bloody Sunday.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Your team lost 7 games this year, and were blown out in a few as well. So is it your offense or defense that is overrated?

My team stopped playing once they were 7-3 and the division was locked. Those games didn't matter.

When they did...

32 a game. It's going to be another TD+ ass kicking for you guys, just like last year.

 

[SteelCityMom]

Again...cold temperatures, 20 mile an hour +winds, rain, snow, and other variances won't be there Sunday.

Be ready...

Hey it's already been raining down in Tampa, there's a good chance it might Sunday too. It rains at the drop of a hat down there lol.

It's great that you're confident in the Cards offense to get things done Sunday though, you have every right to feel that way. Steelers fans also have every right to be confident in their defense though too...both teams have given their fans plenty of reasons to feel good about the game Sunday and neither teams fans should be surprised at the outcome no matter who wins or loses.

 

[43Hitman]

My team stopped playing once they were 7-3 and the division was locked. Those games didn't matter.

When they did...

32 a game. It's going to be another TD+ ass kicking for you guys, just like last year.

While I disagree with your opinion, it is possible. It's also possible that we put Kurt on his ass a half a dozen times and beat you guys by 7 plus too. Right? I mean that's why they play the game right.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Hey it's already been raining down in Tampa, there's a good chance it might Sunday too. It rains at the drop of a hat down there lol.

It's great that you're confident in the Cards offense to get things done Sunday though, you have every right to feel that way. Steelers fans also have every right to be confident in their defense though too...both teams have given their fans plenty of reasons to feel good about the game Sunday and neither teams fans should be surprised at the outcome no matter who wins or loses.

You are the anti-troll. Great post.

 

[LukesDad88]

Steelers have played one game above 50 degrees. There defense is grossly overrated by the fact that they play consistently in sub optimal conditions that hide how weak their corners are. They will be exposed this weekend on a fast track field in Tampa.

Wow, if it's been the weather that's made the Texans, Chargers, and Patriots throw for less than 60% of the passing yards, completions, and scores they normally do, then that means that Ben and our offense (having played in the same conditions), would have gone for 6000 yards passing if we played in a dome or warmer city.

That means we're the offensive juggernaut going into Tampa!

The argument works both ways.

 

[LukesDad88]

Hey it's already been raining down in Tampa, there's a good chance it might Sunday too. It rains at the drop of a hat down there lol.

It's great that you're confident in the Cards offense to get things done Sunday though, you have every right to feel that way. Steelers fans also have every right to be confident in their defense though too...both teams have given their fans plenty of reasons to feel good about the game Sunday and neither teams fans should be surprised at the outcome no matter who wins or loses.

Great post, Steel Mom!

I apologize if I'm getting a little worked up the closer we get.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Weather looks to be good in Tampa. It was sunny today.

No excuses either way.

 

[steeler tim]

Wow, if it's been the weather that's made the Texans, Chargers, and Patriots throw for less than 60% of the passing yards, completions, and scores they normally do, then that means that Ben and our offense (having played in the same conditions), would have gone for 6000 yards passing if we played in a dome or warmer city.

That means we're the offensive juggernaut going into Tampa!

The argument works both ways.

Nice post. I can't ever say that I've heard the "you can't play in good weather argument". Quite amusing when you think about it.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Nice post. I can't ever say that I've heard the "you can't play in good weather argument". Quite amusing when you think about it.

That's not what I said at all. I said your defense's deficencies have been disguised by the volume of foul weather games you have played.

 

[LukesDad88]

Steelers have played one game above 50 degrees. There defense is grossly overrated by the fact that they play consistently in sub optimal conditions that hide how weak their corners are. They will be exposed this weekend on a fast track field in Tampa.

I just went back and looked at our schedule, and while we played more than one game above 50 degrees, the basic premise is correct. We played no dome games, and except for Tennessee and Jacksonville, all our away games were in bad weather cities, and even the Tennessee game was cold.

The bad news for the Steelers, the warm weather in Tampa could affect our conditioning and stamina.

The good news for the Steelers, it could also mean that our offense has been performing at a higher level than thought, all things being equal.