Jump to content

Week #4 Steelers 0-3 vs. Bengals 0-3 Game Day Thread


Steeler Hitman

Recommended Posts

I am football superstitious so, since all of the other threads have been later on during the week and the honeys have come on Friday or not all, we are switching up. I promise honey's before waaay before Friday. Jebrick was right on this one!

The Monday Night Football "Stinker Bowl"  In the words of former Yale graduate, sports anchor and columnist; the late Pete Axthelm, (paraphrase of quote)"You can leave two tickets to the MNF Game between the Steelers vs. Bengals on your car's dashboard. You can park your car at the Monroeville Mall parking lot and go shopping.  When you return, you will find your driver's side window smashed in. On your dashboard you will find two extra tickets to the Steelers vs. Bengals MNF "Stinker Bowl Game.  A disheartened Steelers fan will break in and leave you their tickets! "  This is what we are becoming! This is a sad time in Steelers Nation!!!!

117627174-612x612.jpg

We haven't won and you have to find something to laugh at besides our teams play on the field.

The Who:

Steelers-Bengals.jpg

All Time History:

Steelers hold the edge over Bengals 64-35-0. The Steelers have won eight in a row and 11 out of past 12.

Last Meeting: The AB Exit Bowl Steelers barely won an ugly 16-13 game. The Bengals played with an almost pre-season like squad and Pittsburgh continued to spiral downward with AB walking out of practice during the week and leaving the stadium at halftime after HC Mike Tomlin wouldn't let AB play.

When and Where:

Monday, September 30, 2019 @ 8:15 pm

p1555242708-4.jpg

Sometimes the Stats Tell an Accurate Story. We are 0-3 for a Reason Steelers Nation!

https://www.steelers.com/team/stats/

                                           Steelers                                                             Opponents

First Downs                           43                                                                         75

Third Down Conversions    9/35                                                                   18/38

Fourth Down Conversions   1/4                                                                      1/1

Total Offensive Yards          808                                                                     1326

Rushing yards                       192                                                                      418

Passing Yards                       616                                                                      918

TD's                                            5                                                                        10

FG's                                           5/5                                                                      5/6

Avg. TOP                               25:08                                                                    34:52

Turnover Ratio                        +3                                                                        -3

Opposing QB Sacks                6                                                                           4

You can't win games like this and it puts too much pressure on your defense.  The rushing attack totals are telling. Our opponents have had success running in the second half and we have not been able to establish the run consistently.

                                                                    

TaleTape_CIN.jpg

                                                                                                                  TALE of THE TAPE:

                                                                                              Steelers                                                 Bengals

                                                              QB                                                                                               X

                                                              RB                                 X                                                           X              EVEN

                                                             WR                                                                                              X

                                                             TE                                                                                               X

                                                             OL                                  X               

                                                                                                       Offensive Personnel Advantage: Bengals

                                                             DL                                   X                                                          X               EVEN

                                                              LB                                  X

                                                              CB                                                                                              X

                                                              SS/FS                                                                                        X

                                                                                                      Defensive Personnel Advantage: Bengals

On paper the Bengals match up well with the Steelers as they have for the past several years. They are a team with a lot of talent and skilled players like the Steelers have.  Adding to the Steelers/Bengals rivalry is the fact that both teams have been attracted to some of the players and typically the Bengals have selected higher than the Steelers, so they have selected certain players like CB Williams Jackson and the Steelers have countered in jumping ahead of the Bengals selecting ILB Devin Bush.  They have also coveted some of the same players like Dre Kirpatrick, Carl Lawson, Jessie Bates III, and Andrew Billings to name a few.

Steelers Offensive Keys to Success vs. Bengals:

hi-res-ed698175fdffd3076a3e303ac2c00a7f_

It is on you big guy.  Steelers OC Randy Fichtner 

1. Have an effective Game plan

Thus far the Steelers offense has not jumped out in front of anyone.  I believe that it has been three straight games with three and outs on offense in the first two series.  They have not been offensive or attacked instead opting to go conservative.  This approach has not served them well in any of their three games in 2019.  In San Francisco they had two golden opportunities to go up due to early turnovers by the 49'ers. Instead they have opted for the leg of Chris Boswell.  You can't win very many games like that as our 0 - 3 record indicates. 

This even more disheartening when the defense creates turnovers on the opponents side of the 50 and the offense fails to convert a single first down let alone produce a TD.  The defense is now doing its part to help the team put points on the board and the offense is not doing its part.  Is it a bad game plan, poor execution by the players,  is it just getting beat by better defenses or a combination of all of the above? (Thinking of you here Jebrick):D  Whatever is the case, the game plan in the first three games has not worked. That must change to prevent the Steelers from being 0-4 during the first quarter of the season's schedule and digging themselves into an impossible hole to overcome.  Last year should have taught the Steelers that not capitalizing on opportunities to win or bury your opponents cost them later.  At 0-4 the margin for error is darn near zero and this team just isn't good enough as they have shown to play flawless football on both sides of the ball. Not being mean here, but brutally honest.  We are 0-3 as our record indicates for a reason.

2. Posses the ball and eliminate a lot of three and outs.

The success on first and second downs early has been average at best.  The third down conversions have been dreadful, especially early in games.  I am glad we are not trying the 50 yard bomb first play every game, but the team also has not gotten a pass or run over ten yards on first or second down early in the first three games. Some things are bad design against your opponent, being too conservative, too predictable or just not executing well.  The OL has a lot to do with this as well.  Seattle, San Fran and New England all wore our defense down and had success running the ball in the second half.  They possessed the ball and clock and helped open their offenses success up against our defense. Fatigue plays a part in creating errors and opportunity.

3. Make third downs manageable and more importantly convert!

Am I being redundant? This has been a problem for the Steelers offense (not converting on third downs and putting the defense back on the field again).  Success on first and second downs make third down conversions easier.  Another novel idea would be converting longer plays on first and second downs early in the game as well. Eating up chunks of yardage and time off the clock bodes well for our team and the defense.  It will also allow us to wear down our opponents as they have done to us of late. The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent.  You typically have to have the ball in your offenses hands to do that.

The use of Ju Ju has been very predictable as well. Most of Ju Ju's success is typically with running crosses, outs and beating the defender early, breaking a tackle and outrunning defenders despite his "so called" lack of speed. Get him in the slot and/or motion him sometimes. This may create the opening or even confusion needed to et a half step or step on a defender. That is typically the difference between a completion or an extra five to ten yards running.

4. OL and RB's need to come together. Running game has been crap!

Some of this has been a result of falling behind and some of it has been just poor execution or predictability. Defenses are now trying to force the Steelers to beat them throwing. See #5.

Connor has not been able to get going this year. Gotta switch up on the backs, running plays and play to the backs strength.  Snell is still learning and is more of a fireplug type back, so I don't think he is going to be as effective spelling Connors who is also better running straight downhill.  The use of Samuel's has been puzzling and can also provide a spark to the offense. He is a little more nimble than both Connors and Snell and despite also being best between the tackles and running downhill, provides a little wiggle and dash of quickness the other two backs do not.  I think this could help jump-start the OL and help provide a spark to Connor as well.  Our first three opponents showed what a healthy and robust rushing attack can do for a team and helped all three wear our defense down.  Mason's strength is in play-action passes with intermediate and deep throws.  You can't have an effective play-action passing attack without a healthy rushing attack.  The OL needs to open some holes and the backs need to play some smash-mouth football.

5. Receiver have to get open. Can we run more than a fly, cross or hook?

One of the keys to having a healthy passing game is an effective rushing attack.  One hand washes the other.  The receivers can get help from the OC with having them run some better routes, putting Ju Ju or Dionte in motion or in the slot.  The key to effective passing is creating separation and timing. The NFL window is far smaller than those in HS or college, so you have to use some creativity to help your receivers get open.  The Steelers did an effective job of trying to exploit Jason Verrett last week on consecutive long passes to Washington and Johnson.  The Steelers also only seem to run Washington on very limited routes.  This is his second year and he should (and hopefully is more familiar with the passing tree.  His timing with Mason should be better than the other receivers as he also played with Mason in college. Why is this not utilized more? This would help Ju Ju and others as well.  This is coaching and scheme in my humble opinion.

6. Rookie QB, so you gotta help him out.

You have a QB playing in his third regular season NFL game, so you have to help him out. Give him some good routes, easy throws to complete early. Confidence builds with success. Confidence is what Mason and the entire offense needs. You can't run effectively, you can't pass effectively and you therefore don't score points and can't win. The Steelers offense averages about 16.3 points a game and the Steelers opponents are averaging about 28 points a game. The good news for the defense is the point total has gone down each game (33, 28, 24) and they created turnovers to help stop drives. The team needs to average more than one or two TD's per game.

mason-rudolph-steelers-afp-e156866698731

Give Mason some help and we will have more first downs and hopefully touchdowns!!!!

Todd-Haley.jpg

The ghost of Todd Haley, "You miss me now Steelers Nation! You're welcome!!!!!" xD:D9_9

Steelers Defensive Keys

1. Continue to pressure on the QB.

The defense seems to be making some improvements in terms of pressure on the QB. Stephan Tuitt looks like a Pro Bowl DT/DE and the outside rush with Bud and Watt seems to be generating pressure that will eventually lead to more sacks. No Bud comments here please.9_9Andy Dalton is capable of lighting up a defense and John Ross and the receivers have been a terror to opposing defenses.  Adopt the 49'ers game plan against the Bengals and stop the run and pressure the passer. Maybe  Ola gets his first regular season sack this week.

2. Continue to create turnovers.

You can't score without the ball in your hands so play take-away. Andy has been known to give the ball away at times. Be physical and opportunistic on defense. Eventually the offense will cash in or take the ball to the house yourself.  Provided we don't hold or block anyone in the back. >:(

3. Improve on the third and longs!!!>:(

This is a emotional ad physical deflater for a team. You play sound defense on first and second down.  They get a penalty or you get a sack on them and then they convert third and 8, 10, 12, or 15. That kills your defense and momentum. It also gives the offense confidence which our does not seem to have. 

4. Study the gentile art of TACKLING!

You know how our opponents keep our receivers and backs from breaking tackles? Yeah do that!!!>:(  Pretend you are tackling our favorite slot WR Ryan Switzer. This turns short gains into longer ones or TD's as on the Rashaad Penny TD run. This gets you off the field and creates longer down in distance. Nothing new. This is football. It is all about blocking, tackling and running.

5. Run defense. That means slowing down the opponents rushing attack.

I think this improves as the Steelers can get off the field and the offense can possess the ball longer than two minutes. I have always been a fan of a big NG. We have Dan McCullers, but I would have preferred Danny Shelton.  We need those guys who can clog the middle and impact our opponents rushing attack.  We do not intimidate anymore. Offenses are not afraid of our defense anymore. To quote Coach Hissler , "Get a mean on son!"

JohnnyBeGood-Still1.jpg?partner=allmovie

6. What can Minkah Fitzpatrick do with another week of practice in a Steelers uniform?

DSC_9686Fitzpatrick-1024x659.jpg

Minkah has out-performed our entire safety group in one game and a few practices. That's scary!!!!:o  Imagine what he can do as he learns and gets more comfortable?

20150730pdsteelers10-9.jpg

"You can't blame this one on me. ha ha ha!!!!" - - DC Keith Butler to media and Steelers NationxD:D9_9

OPIX_Seahawks_49ers_Football.JPG_iwTSN85

Both the Steelers and Bengals have two similar opponents in the first three weeks with very similar results:

Steelers lost a squeaker to Seattle 28 - 26 and the Bengals dropped a game 21-20.  Both the Steelers and Bengals think they probably should have won both games.  The Bengals held advantages in yardage and time of possession while the Steelers offense struggled to produce and stayed on the field way too long. 

The 49'ers blew out the Bengals 41-17 and blew out the Steelers in terms of time of possession and yardage, but the Steelers could not capitalize on five 49'ers turnovers and lost a winnable game 24-20.

Neither the Steelers or the Bengals have been able to run effectively against either SF or Seattle. The key to a victory for either team will be establishing and maintaining a solid rushing attack. Both the Bengals and Steelers are capable of generating a pass rush and pressuring the QB, so the Steelers will need to slow down the Bengals passing attack and possess the ball running and start scoring points.

Prediction: Steelers over Bengals 26 - 17 (Only because it is at home and on Monday Night)

Sorry guys, those hotties aren't PG-friendly. The cleavage is deemed unacceptable for FootballsFuture per Webmaster.

I will speak to Webmaster soon to get a more in-depth clarification on the hotties. As for now, the pictures shown were not something he wanted on the forums.

 

Thanks guys

sc29

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't see any changes being made to the Offense. It will be status quo because the calls aren't the problem "it's the execution".  It would be nice to see the ball go down the field some.  It would be nice to see some different sets and SOME Pre-snap motion.  But there won't be. So, a win will not be because of any changes in game planning. IMO anyway.    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bengals are similar to the steelers right now. That's embarrassing.

 

Olines suck.

Little running game commitment.

Defenses don't respect shotgun playaction because our running game can be stopped by the down linemen.

Wr's are dropping passes and not fighting for enough balls or getting consistent separation.

Not enough tight end involvement with the passing game.

A decent defensive front but suspect linebacker and safety and cb play and they get gassed in the second half.

Costly penalties and average special teams.

Would not be shocked to see the Bengals get going a little against this team. Would not be shocked if the steelers finally get going.

Coaches seem a bit overwhelmed and unprepared for regular season games.

All I know is that the ravens and the browns are gonna destroy this steelers team unless they get their act together real quick. smdh.

 

Sigh...We had a decent run for more than a decade. Still feels like we underachieved to me.

 

Edited by SMashMouthMike
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, wwhickok said:

Bengals getting First win this week Boys, here we go!! Oh...wait...

Carl Lawson might have a good game. I don't like the way our OT's have played so wait and see about this matchup.  If the steelers lose this game, fans will be ready for the jugular of the FO and tomlin that's for sure. Fishner already should be on notice and better change his ways.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, 3rivers said:

Carl Lawson might have a good game. I don't like the way our OT's have played so wait and see about this matchup.  If the steelers lose this game, fans will be ready for the jugular of the FO and tomlin that's for sure. Fishner already should be on notice and better change his ways.  

No he won't.  He's been injured and playing like crap this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...