Blog Archive

As I said on Twitter, I am still trying to get my head around the Steelers being in the Super Bowl.  It is a great feeling (particularly after the debacle that was Michigan’s season).

To be honest, if you had told me that the Steelers would make the Super Bowl with this offensive line and their brutal schedule I am not sure I would not have believed you.  Of course, I am not sure how many people predicted that the defense would be this good.

Last night’s game was a typical Steelers Ravens affair: brutal hitting and close fought with the team that made the big plays winning the game.  Troy Palamolu was huge as you would expect.  And I thought Ben played very well.  He didn’t try to do too much and he made plays.  He just looks comfortable leading this team.  Even when the line breaks down he can buy time and make plays.  That veteran leadership and athleticism is a great asset.

A few thoughts below.

- As noted above, the Steelers won 12 games facing one of the toughest schedule in recent memory.  They faced both teams who ended up as #1 seeds in the AFC and NFC (Titans and Giants) plus 4 other playoff teams (Eagles, Colts, Chargers, Ravens).  Only the Texans, Bengals, and Browns were what you would call “easy” games.  Think of how the Steelers second half of the season went: Giants, at Redskins, Colts, Chargers, Bengals at Patriots, Cowboys, at Ravens, at Titans, Browns.  The Steelers went 7-3 in that stretch.

- I think this team has good chemistry and knows how to win.  Late in the game I think Ben and company know how to make the plays.  That is great for the team’s, and the fans, confidence.

- When Ben is healthy and doesn’t turn the ball over the Steelers are just real hard to beat.  The offense can usually make one or two big plays and the defense just doesn’t allow a lot of points.  So they are in every single game.  And as Polamalu showed last night, they often change the game by making big plays.

- Santonio Holmes has really turned into a playmaker.  He has come up big in the second half of the season and had a huge touchdown in both playoff games.  He is a real threat if he gets the ball with room to run.

- Willie Parker is healthy but he is still not the kind of bruising runner that will allow the Steelers to grind out a win late in the game.  If he has space and can get outside he is capable of big plays.  And against less talented defenses he can put up good yardage.  But against a real physical front seven I am just not sure he can get the job done in the way Steelers fans are used to.

- If Hines Ward is not healthy that is a big problem.  He is the clutch WR and has a big impact on the kind of coverage teams play the Steelers with.  It was clear that the Ravens had an easier time once Ward was out last night.  The two week time off should help Ward thank goodness.

- When it comes to the Cardinals the big focus is on Fitzgerald and for good reason.  The man is nearly unstoppable.  And the Steelers can be vulnerable to the big play and the big physical receiver.

- But I think the Steelers defense will be a real test of Kurt Warner’s new found confidence.  I am not sure he has faced a defense quite as physical and intimidating as the Steelers.

- I also think Arizona just plays at a higher level when they are at home.  The Super Bowl is going to have a very different feel than a home game for the Cardinals.  The Steelers fans travel in droves and the Steelers play well on the road in these type of games.

- I think the key is going to be ball control and big plays.  They have to force Warner to make mistakes while avoiding giving up easy points. If the Steelers don’t turn the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities they get IMO they win.  If they make mental errors, turn the ball over, or give up big plays then Arizona has the offensive firepower to make the Steelers pay.

- Last night a few critical errors allowed the Ravens to be in the ball game when the Steelers had a chance to put it away early.  They simply can’t give Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald that chance.

I can’t beleive the Steelers are going for Super Bowl win number six.  To have the chance to have the most SB wins in history is awesome.  I only wish the game was this weekend instead of in two weeks.