Clickity clack clack, clickity clack clack Baltimore and Ohio

I hate Monday Night Football…As I was listening to Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico talk about the value of Ben and how the Steelers could not afford to lose him prior to the injury I was thinking to myself I hope your children and your children’s children get a nasty disease. I know I over reacted and I most likely won’t ever get into Heaven or Valhalla…I can accept that.

Ben is done for a while…My guess is a minimum of three weeks. This game is not a must win for the Steelers…It’s a must win if the Steelers expect to win the AFC North. The Steelers are built around Ben like any NFL team is built around its quarterback. I believe the Steelers can win this game…I am not picking the Steelers to win this game. The Steelers will be without their three best players in Ben, TP and AB.  I believe it’s too much to overcome. The Steelers best chance to win this game is a war…The Ravens have their own fair share of injuries...The Steelers must utilize Cowher ball in my opinion. The Steelers run game and defense must dominate and the special teams must win the field position battle.

Steelers run Game

Starks and Jones- How shitty is it when you play in the NFL and you’re considered the third best athlete in your family. For those who don’t know Arthur Jones is the older brother of Jon Bones Jones UFC fighter and Chandler Jones of the Patriots. Arthur Jones is a good player.  He is expected to replace Pernell McPhee who has a thigh injury. The Steelers need Max Starks to play with some anger this week. Arthur Jones is barely 6-3 and weighs 300 pounds…Starks must move him off the line of scrimmage. The Steelers must do more than the minimum this week run blocking. Starks is a big game player…The Steelers need his best performance of the season….Jones is not real big, fast, or strong he is relentless…Starks must match his intensity and break his will. The Ravens very rarely will line up Ngata over the left tackle I actually welcome the matchup…When Ngata lines up at right defensive end he mostly slants…One thing Starks does very well in the run game is maintain his footwork…Starks just needs to guide Ngata down the line and the back must read the hole.

Colon Pouncey Foster Vs Ngata and Kemoeatu- If the Steelers had any sense they would chop both interior players every run down. Both Ngata and Kemo are fighting lower body injuries. Kemo is the Ravens version of Casey Hampton…Kemo is a massive player with zero mobility…Ma’ake unlike his brother Chris is a very cerebral player…Ma’ake does a great job holding up offensive linemen preventing them from getting to the 2^nd level in the run game…It’s illegal as hell but never called. Ngata is a man child when healthy…He is not healthy; he has hamstring and knee issues.  He is still the player that concerns me the most this week even more than Suggs. Kemo will play the nose…Moe Pouncey sucked last week…Kemo is nowhere near the athlete as Poe…Pouncey met a player in Poe who weighed 350 pounds that was more athletic and also far stronger that won’t happen often. Pouncey won’t move Kemo without the help of a double team…Willie Colon was brutal in the run game last week…He left double teams far too early against Poe…He allowed penetration from his inside gap on run blitzes he missed blocks at the second level he looked like Kendall Simmons. Colon has to be far better this week…He must stick with the double team until Kemo is moving backwards or away from the ball carrier and he cannot miss blocks on linebackers. Foster was better than Colon last week he was far from great. Foster is a powerful man and I believe he can buckle Kemo at the point of attack…Foster must play with a mean streak from the opening whistle all nasty all the time. The Ravens at times will show some 46 defense and cover both guards…I don’t care if the guards get movement on Ngata or Kemo they cannot allow penetration into the back field. If the Steelers want to run the ball they must block Kemo and Ngata…It’s far and away the key to the game for the Steelers offense.

Adams Ngata/Tyson- Ngata for the most part will line up over the inside eye of the right tackle…Adams must play with leverage and move his feet…Ngata is super explosive and strong at the point of attack…After he is engaged he has issues beating blocks. Adams must lock on and finish every block. I don’t expect Adams to pancake Ngata at the point of attack…He must chip away. Deangelo Tyson will wave in and see plenty of action against the run…Tyson is similar to Arthur Jones…Great motor and effort guy not the greatest physical tools to work with.

The Steelers must be able to run the ball and control the clock…The Steelers offensive line needs to win matchups and re-establish the line of scrimmage…Low man wins. Willie Colon and Ramon Foster must play the game of their careers.

Heath Miller and David Paulson better be ready for war…Heath Miller knows what to expect from Suggs…Paulson has no clue how physical and nasty Suggs can be. The Steelers need to block Suggs and Kruger in the run game it’s that simple. Suggs is a motherfucker to run at…He’s smart and understands blocking schemes; at times he will play upright and give away his numbers in the run game…Suggs struggles to hold the point since recovering from the Achilles injury.  The Steelers must attack his ass…The Steelers cannot allow Suggs Ngata or Reed to take plays off. Paul Kruger can be run at…Kruger is very athletic he is not very stout…Paulson will struggle to get movement at the point of attack…Leonard Pope can beat his ass in the run game…Pope is ugly in the passing game…His ability to run block is very under rated.

If the Steelers manage to get Kemo/Cody and Ngata blocked at the point of attack will they be able to block Daniel Ellerbe and Jameel McClain? I am thrilled Ray Lewis is injured…Ellerbe and McClain will both take false steps against the run and find themselves out of position that rarely happens with Lewis in the game. The key to blocking Ellerbe and McClain is the back side guard must get to the second level and the Steelers H Back must win at the point of attack with the ISO block. Ellerbe and McClain are decent pro’s neither player has the athleticism of Timmons or Derrick Johnson or the physicality of Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis.

I believe reports Redman was not benched because of the fumble…I believe he was benched for his compete level…He lost confidence. Redman ran hard…Nothing was there…You must continue to compete you cannot hang your head on the sideline and pout. Mendenhall will be back this week…If the Steelers win this week I expect Mendy is a major factor. Mendy has the ability to hit homeruns in a 230 pound body. The Steelers will need production from all four backs. Protect the ball and finish every run. I expect the Steelers show 2 tailbacks sets a ton this week…I believe that could be a major factor in the passing game…Which we will get to in a few minutes. Will Johnson prepare for some car wreck collisions! This could be the week we see the Bronco at fullback.

The Steelers receivers have to battle in the run game…Any free shots at Ed Reed must be taken.

The Steelers must play a nasty physical ultra-violent game if they expect to run the ball without Ben.

Lefty Slinging the Rock

Starks and Suggs- Alright I lied last week when I said if Starks does a good job against Hali I will no longer question his ability to man the edge…If Starks shuts down Suggs this week I will throw my complete unwavering support behind Starks…I promise. I can sit and post a long diatribe about this matchup…The guys know each other inside and out…The major difference in this matchup is Starks health versus Suggs health…Starks is generally the injured player and Suggs the healthy player…I expect Max Starks makes a statement in this game…A very positive statement.

Colon and Ngata/Jones- Willie Colon is a good pass blocker…The Steelers will need a solid performance from Colon this week. Ngata is a power rusher…The lower body injuries have robbed him of his explosive 1^st step rushing the passer…He still is very dangerous. I am far more concerned about the Foster Ngata matchup…Foster is a mauler who can be beat with counter rush moves…Ngata is a powerhouse with a decent assortment of rush moves.  It could get ugly if Foster is over aggressive in pass pro. Arthur Jones is similar to Steve McClendon rushing the passer…He rushes with great leverage and bent knees…He explodes into the blocker knocking him off balance…Colon is smart enough to just absorb the rush…He cannot get walked into Lefty. Jones is not a slick pass rusher…He has one speed which is balls out bull rush.

Pouncey- They are going to blitz…Make the calls and kill someone….Punish them…Make undersized rushers pay the price.

Foster and Ngata/ Tyson- I broke down the Foster Ngata matchup already…Foster must land his punch…If He locks on to Ngata its over…Ngata is a bad man…He is not going to walk up Foster’s chest without getting punched in the throat. Foster is nasty as nasty gets…He needs to play a violent game against Ngata. Deangelo Tyson is a decent interior rusher…He has quick hands and feet…I don’t believe he is skilled enough to give Foster many issues.

Adams and Kruger-The Steelers must show some faith in the tackles. I will not be surprised if Starks and Adams do not need much help with Kruger and Suggs…I believe the Steelers should start with a quick chip from a tight end and go from there. Adams starts game so freaking slow in pass pro…After the 1^st series the light goes on and he shuts the door. Kruger is a slick rusher with athletic ability…Adams has shut down some quality pass rushers the past few weeks…I believe Adams controls this matchup.

The Steelers have to believe in each other in pass pro. Pouncey and Lefty must identify the defense and set up the blocking scheme…From there do your fucking job…Nothing more…Nothing less. Believe in the man beside you. Everyone expects Todd Haley to have a conservative safe game plan…I do not.

The Ravens have some talent on defense…They do not have a player who can cover Heath Miller. McClain and Ellerbe will attempt to…Both players lack the size and quickness to prevent Miller from making plays in the passing game. I also expect David Paulson to make some plays…The Ravens will have the same issues covering Paulson that they have with Miller. The Steelers are going to show the Ravens some new things. The Steelers are going to show some dual half back looks with Mendy and Rainey…I expect both backs run routes…Not screens…Actual routes to attack the Ravens linebackers and safeties in coverage…The Steelers will most likely keep in a tight end to help in pass protection. Todd Haley knows he has to be creative to score points without Ben getting Rainey and Mendy the ball in space can lead to big plays. The Steelers running backs and tight ends must be solid in pass protection.

Mike Wallace will draw Cary Williams in coverage; Williams is physical and can make plays on the ball…I see no way he can run with Wallace in space. I will not be surprised if the Ravens don’t respect Wallace and play no safety over the top early in the game…Haley must look for that and throw the ball vertically…I would have it as an automatic hot…Two safeties in the box equals the Wallace ratio chuck the ball deep dog. The Steelers will really miss AB again this week. I expect Jimmy Smith is out with a groin injury he will be replaced by Corey Graham who I know very little about other than he is the Ravens 3^rd left corner to start this season. Manny Sanders will draw Graham…I expect Sanders could have some success if he catches the freaking football. Cotchery and Gilreath will draw Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson in coverage…The Steelers receivers simply must make plays on the ball. If AB could play in this game I think Lefty could light up the Ravens defense…Don’t be surprised if the Steelers receivers have success in this game.

Lefty protect the ball play your game…Use every tool you have to lead this team to victory.

Ravens Run Game

Keisel and Oher- Oher is a very good run blocker…This is one of many matchups the Steelers need if they want to win the game. Keisel’s level of play has been on the upswing the past month…The key to his success is simple…He is beating blocks. The Ravens pass game is built off the run…The Steelers need Keisel to make plays against the run…Stalemates won’t win games.

Hampton Foote and Timmons Vs Reed Birk and Yanda- Every team in the NFL attempts to hatchet Hampton at the point of attack…So the Ravens dirty blocking schemes won’t be a surprise this time. Hampton will straight donkey punch Birk in the run game if the Ravens don’t give Birk help. Reed is the 3^rd Ravens left guard to start a game this season…He is a massive player with very suspect feet to move to the 2^nd level in the run game. Marshall Yanda when healthy could be the most under rated NFL offensive linemen…Yanda is not healthy…Actually he is not close to healthy. Hampton must be better than last week…He has to cause more chaos or make more plays against the run. Timmons and Foote played terrible last week against the run…The Chiefs ran the same plays with the same blocking schemes and the Steelers inside backers never adjusted. If Timmons and Foote are unblocked I don’t expect any run to gain more than 4 yards. Foote and Timmons will have to be aware of the play action pass and the tight ends in the passing game I understand that…They must make plays in space against the run for limited gains.

Hood and Osemele- Hood’s performance was terrible last week…A major part of the problem was alignment related and I blame LeBeau and Mitchell for that. Hood cannot play 2 gap defense…He does not have the ability to eat up space and cause chaos…He cannot anchor against double teams. What Hood can do is slant and penetrate blowing up plays in the back field or up and down the line of scrimmage. If the Steelers coaching staff expects Hood to hold his ground with 350 pound Osemele down blocking on him the Steelers coaching staff is smoking crack. The Steelers best chance of success in this matchup is allowing Hood to beat blocks and make plays…Hood is at his best when he can play the game fast.

Harrison is the best linebacker in the NFL against the run…The Ravens run game is built on the stretch and zone runs to the left. Harrison is struggling to rush the passer…He cannot be blocked by a tight end in the run game…Harrison will eat up the tight end and fullback on run plays…Timmons must make plays behind him…Timmons must slam the fucking door shut. Lamar Woodley struggled in the run game with the Chiefs 300 pound tight end Steve Maneri…Most outside linebackers would get dominated like Woodley did. The Steelers did adjust to the Chiefs look after half time and did a far better job stopping the run. I expect Harrison and Woodley beat the piss out of Dickson and Pitta in the run game…It’s a must for the Steelers if they expect to win this game.

The Steelers front seven must dominate…To quote Lawrence Taylor… They must play like A pack of wild dogs.

Ray Rice is a very good football player…He may be the most complete back in the NFL. The Steelers cannot miss tackles in space….They must swarm and attack Rice. The Steelers must play fast but they cannot afford to blow run fits. I have zero fear or respect for any other back on the Ravens roster…Ricky Williams was a big loss for this team. The Steelers must attack the ball…They must look to create turnovers. Vonte Leach is a sledgehammer fullback…He can block any linebacker on the Steelers roster in an ISO situation…The Steelers must cause chaos in the backfield…They cannot allow the Ravens run game to get started North/South.

The Steelers defense must make Torrey Smith play every down…Ike Taylor needs to blast his ass every chance he gets. Boldin is a very good run blocking Wr…Kennan Lewis is scrappy and he will welcome the fight at the LOS with Boldin. Ryan Clark and Ryan Mundy must look to do harm to the Ravens running backs…I understand Ryan Clark has sacrificed a few million brain cells for the Steelers…I hate to say it…He may need to sacrifice a few more.

Bert must Die

Harrison and Oher- Oher has some issues in pass pro….James Harrison is nowhere near the pass rusher he once was…Father time has taken a toll on his body. Harrison is making strides every week in every area except rushing the passer. The Steelers need James Harrison to find the fountain of youth since we all know that’s not happening let’s hope old man Deebo has a few tricks up his sleeve. If Harrison can dip and beat Oher to the edge a few times he will set up his bull rush which no offensive tackle can legally handle…Harrison needs to start crying for calls…No man is held or struck in the helmet more than Harrison rushing the passer. Harrison can win this matchup if he uses his mind…If he sets things up rushing the passer.

Reid and Keisel- Reid is a former right tackle who plays like his feet are in cement…Reid is a less mobile version of Ramon Foster. Keisel looked really freaking good last week rushing the passer...I don’t expect Keisel to bull rush Reid and put him on his ass I would not be surprised if Keisel has some success rushing the passer using his quickness and agility. This is a matchup the Steelers need to have…The Steelers must pressure Flacco from the interior.

Hood and Yanda- Ziggy Hood is considered a bum by seventy percent of Steelers nation after his performance against the Chiefs…Hood has been getting sodomized all week for what he put on tape. If Hood makes plays this week rushing the passer he will be the toast of the town. Hood has all the talent in the world…He needs to slow things down mentally…Beating blocks is a skill….It takes physical and mental strength…Hood must trust his ability and do what comes naturally to him.

Woodley and Osemele- The Steelers need a dominant Lamar Woodley…Osemele has decent feet and mobility…He is built like a freaking house…He can snuff out most initial rush moves…Woodley’s best chance of success is counter moves…Start the edge rush and quickly rip back inside…Start an interior rush and spin back outside to the edge…Woodley has to use Osemele’s mass and aggression against him. Woodley could have a huge night…He is streaky…The Steelers need playmakers to make plays.

The Steelers must make Flacco very uncomfortable…The pass rush must be consistent and non-stop. Wave players must step up…The level of play must stay nasty. Some posters have called for Adrian Robinson to rush the passer on a few obvious passing downs…Sign me up I am all for it.

Timmons is fantastic in coverage…He will be tested this week with Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta both are play making tight ends. Woodley and Foote are decent in coverage…Both will struggle with the Ravens tight ends and Ray Rice in coverage. James Harrison continues to get a free pass from me against the pass because of what he does in coverage…Harrison is very solid in coverage…Harrison is a great zone pass defender. I fear the Ravens tight ends and Ray Rice more than the Ravens Wr’s in the passing game.

Will the Steelers matchup Ike on Torrey Smith…I will not be surprised if they do. Ike has gained confidence the past few weeks in coverage…Ike continues to try to do too much…Ike cannot get caught peeking in the back field this week. Smith is a big vertical playmaker who has made some big plays against this defense in limited opportunities. Ike needs to shut down Smith. Boldin and Lewis will be interesting…I believe LeBeau wants to play Lewis up on Boldin…If Lewis shows he can hold up in the run game LeBeau may allow him to play bump coverage against Boldin…Lewis can stick to Boldin like stink on poo….Boldin makes plays when he is given space…He can’t legally separate from coverage…Think Hines Ward the past two seasons. Jacoby Jones has developed into a dangerous deep target for the Ravens...Cortez Allen will draw Jones in coverage…Allen has developed into a great nickel corner I expect he covers Jones without much issue. The Ravens 4^th Wr Tandon Moss is a massive target with playmaking ability. Ryan Mundy and Ryan Clark must kill everything…Take the flags early…The Receivers won’t make plays late. I will not be surprised if the Steelers corners shut down the Ravens receivers.

Bert Flacco when he has time he can make every throw…When he is pressured he can’t make a single throw…If he takes shots early…He will begin throwing the ball early…Flacco is not mentally strong. The Steelers need to hit him…He will fold up.

Special Teams

Discontinued because the Steelers suck

Score

Steelers 24

Ravens 23

My head says Ravens…Heart says Steelers.

I changed my mind on the score as I did the Podcast...I squat to piss.