*** Official Steelers vs Colts Thread ***

[IggyWH]

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.

[derosnec]

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

[TheGame1020]

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.

[IggyWH]

[ 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]

[derosnec]

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.

[IggyWH]

[ 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.

[costanza_g]

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.

[derosnec]

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.

[MEbenhoe]

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

[OneChipWarrior]

I'd just rush one and drop everybody.