*** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

This game is easily the least talked about game on this forum. With my newly noticed title, I figured I was obligated to get this thread started.

I think it's pretty clear how most people feel about this game. They think the Steelers are going to get killed. Most places have the Steelers 9.5 dogs while a couple places have them at 10.

What are your feelings on this game? Please at least give a good reply on why you think that way.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

If you were Cowher, would you blitz Manning? That's the one thing I can't decide what Pittsburgh should do.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

Cowher has to open up our offense, throw deep. We saw last week how that worked out. Wilson having his best game as a Steeler.

As for Manning, run the nickel a lot. Drop back into coverage, don't blitz.

Any team can beat any other team in the NFL on "any given sunday", anything is possible.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you were Cowher, would you blitz Manning? That's the one thing I can't decide what Pittsburgh should do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes and no, erroring more on no.

I don't think a constant blitz can rattle Manning, or even get to him (since he does have one of the best O lines in football).

I think you got to use the blitz to throw him off rhythm at key times in the game. Focus mainly on dropping your men into coverage, letting up some short over-the-middle garbage, but taking away any deep ball, big play gains.

The one drawback of a defense like this is Edge will have some early room to run. It's going to be key to make those first contact tackles and really rely on Troy for run support while also making sure no deep balls get behind him.

Sounds quite easy, doesn't it? [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

Yeah Cowher can open it up against a not-so-impressive Indy secondary. We have great receivers and Cowher needs to use them. They need to go to Hines Ward way more often.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Cowher has to open up our offense, throw deep.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this will be key to start out the game. Bob Sanders, just like last matchup, is going to be playing close early on to stop the run. I think it's key to make Indy pay for this. A couple complete deep balls will keep him back in the secondary opening up some running room for Willie. Too many times in the last matchup did it look like Willie had some room to run, to only then be tackled in open field by Bob Sanders for no to small gain.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

When Peyton has time to throw and read the defense, he is almost unstoppable. The Patriots did a good job of keeping Manning off of his rythym (sp?) in past seasons. Pittsburg should do likewise and blitz the ish outta him.

But I'm still giving this game to Indy.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

One thing I see that hurts Pittsburgh every season is we get in post-season and start the run-run-pass crap. It gets us destroyed. I hope we come out passing deep.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

peyton manning is fun to rip on, so i hope you guys win tomorrow

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

I'd just rush one and drop everybody.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

Just for the record, TheNoodleMan & myself have an avatar bet riding on the game. The loser has to use an avatar of the winning team until that team either gets knocked out of the playoffs or until the Pro Bowl.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Iggy and I have decided to spice this up with an avitar bet.
Loser sports a team themed icon of the winners choice until the winning team is knocked out of the playoffs, or until the probowl if they win the SB.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

From the other thread, here's my plan.

[ QUOTE ]
Late in the Bengals game the Steelers showed some defensive formations with only 1 or 2 defensive linemen. Very similar to what the Pats did to the Colts in last year's playoffs.

I am hoping that they just come out like this, play 9 man zones, mix in some weird blitzes, and count on their linebackers to makes plays against the run. It is really their only shot.

If they try to make Ike man up on Marvin, it is pretty much over, it still is even if he gets help from Polamolu over the top, because Troy will be exposed overcommitting (he does this routinely, but usually makes up for it with speed).

[/ QUOTE ]

Start Hampton and Smith and rotate in Hoke for the 2 DT's. With Harrison unlikely to play, they might be better off with 5 DB's and 4 linebackers. With the mikelback in, Polamolu can play closer to the line, move all around the field presnap, and blitz occasionally.

Don't panic if they run for 80-100 yards the first half, and look to strip the receivers after the quick slants and outs.

Be aggressive on special teams, not an onside kick, but try to block a punt or two.

The silent count must work, and if the right tackle can't contain Freeney 'cause he is lining up too far outside, put the tight end or fulback in motion over to his side, or go with two tight ends.

Corey Simon won't be able to play every down, so be smart about when to run up the middle.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

Freeny lines up against the LT, not right.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

My mistake.

Anyway this makes more sense, since the TE would already be next to the right tackle.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
When Peyton has time to throw and read the defense, he is almost unstoppable. The Patriots did a good job of keeping Manning off of his rythym (sp?) in past seasons. Pittsburg should do likewise and blitz the ish outta him.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is completely wrong. The way that Belichick has successfully defended the Colts has been to drop at least seven, if not eight, into a mix of man and zone that is well disguised before the snap, with slightly different looks almost every play. You don't need to blitz to take a quarterback out of rhythm. Blitzing Manning is a recipe for disaster. Getting rid of the ball quickly under blitz situations is probably his most remarkable skill as a quarterback. He might be the best ever at doing this.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Start Hampton and Smith and rotate in Hoke for the 2 DT's. With Harrison unlikely to play, they might be better off with 5 DB's and 4 linebackers. With the mikelback in, Polamolu can play closer to the line, move all around the field presnap, and blitz occasionally.

Don't panic if they run for 80-100 yards the first half, and look to strip the receivers after the quick slants and outs.

Be aggressive on special teams, not an onside kick, but try to block a punt or two.

The silent count must work, and if the right tackle can't contain Freeney 'cause he is lining up too far outside, put the tight end or fulback in motion over to his side, or go with two tight ends.

Corey Simon won't be able to play every down, so be smart about when to run up the middle.

[/ QUOTE ]

This looks like a good plan to me. You have to give them the run and allow them to move the ball a bit, making them earn as many first downs as possible on each drive.

If I was a Steelers fan, my biggest concern right now would be Bill Cowher. This is a winnable game for a Steelers team that is really peaking. But the things the Steelers must do to win this game involve moving away from the cliches of smashmouth football. They have to give up the run on defense and open it up a bit on offense. The question is whether Cowher will be too stubborn to do this.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

Exactly. Blitzing the crap out of Manning might be the worst possible option.

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

i herby declare myself the biggest Steeler fan on 2plus2!!

okay, that's not true...but i sure as hell would like to see one more game in denver this year.

go steelers!!!

Re: *** Official Steelers/Colts Thread ***
 

I'm pretty sure the Steelers are gonna run trick plays every other down. Like playing a video game.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Ugh, colts CB Nick Harper is questionable because his wife stabbed him in the leg. He is the Colts best CB, not a good start to the day.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Well, looks like the Steelers are gonna waltz all over the Colts and be back in time for a nice evening dinner.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Alright, I'm fed up with this crap. These Sunday games are getting ZERO respect. Hell, this board is STILL talking about that damn Denver/NE game. GET FREAKIN OVER IT ALREADY!

There's 2 GREAT afternoon games on. Quit living in the past and enjoy the present games.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

1 morning game, 1 afteroon. i dont know what youre talking about [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
1 morning game, 1 afteroon. i dont know what youre talking about [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

You west coast people don't count in this country, sorry to notify you of that [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Nick Harper will start.

Colts - 813
Steelers - minus something

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Today's score:

Indy: 13
Pitssburgh: 78

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Alright, I'm fed up with this crap. These Sunday games are getting ZERO respect. Hell, this board is STILL talking about that damn Denver/NE game. GET FREAKIN OVER IT ALREADY!

There's 2 GREAT afternoon games on. Quit living in the past and enjoy the present games.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, let's get a panthers/chicago thread going. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

The Pitt offensive line is healthier than last time. Big Ben is healthier than last time. Hopefully the Steelers don't spot them 7 points this game. I look for a closer game then last time and will be cheering for the Steelers to win of course but I don't have high expectations. Indy is a great team. I look forward to a hard hitting fun-to-watch- kind of game today. Steelers need to get the run game going as they have done the past 5 games and then take a few shots down the field (not neccessarily trick plays). Sometimes good things happen even if you don't make the catch. Defensive interference is also a possiblity and the Steelers have been on the wrong side of that this year because they don't do this enough when on offense.

Go Steelers.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Prediction: 24-14 Indy.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

i want the steelers to win so i can laugh at peyton. i don't think it's happening though.

IND 38
PIT 17

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

31-28

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

27-23 Indy

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

34-31 Pittsburgh

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

imo the last game was closer than it appeared. qb is healthy now. i can see a much closer game score wise than previous, wouldnt be shocked if steelers win on a fg.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

My "last channel" button is going to get a workout. Steelers on channel 6, Pitt Panthers playing Louisville (#11 vs #10) on channel 8.

Hopefully, this doesn't turn into a horrible day.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...r/stillers.gif

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Catch the damn ball Antwann

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Is this game on HD for you? It's not for me for some reason.

Re: *** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***
 

Every team playing today has a Ragin Cajun.

Pitt - Ike Taylor
Indy - Stokley
Carolina - Jake Delhomme
Chicago - Charles Tillman