Even the birds of the air and the fish in the sea will die

Does anyone want to re-live the Browns game from last week…Good neither do I.

Ravens Run Game

Keisel and Oher- Keisel has done a great job beating blocks for the past month; that is a trend that must continue if the Steelers expect to have success stopping the run. Oher is a big athletic man who at this point is under rated in the run game. The key for Keisel is getting off the ball and playing with his pads low…Keisel will get in trouble at times in the run game when his pad level rises and he gives the offensive linemen his numbers. The Steelers need a dominant performance from the entire front seven and Keisel is a key cog to the Steelers success. Oher is sloppy at times…I think he can be broke mentally…Oher is the type of player who struggles to move on to the next play…He allows one mistake to turn into multiple mistakes because he starts thinking and stops reacting.

Hampton Foote and Timmons Vs Birk Reid and Yanda- One of the keys to limiting the Ravens run game in the previous matchup was the outstanding play of Casey Hampton against Matt Birk…Hampton destroyed Birk several times when Birk was asked to block Hampton without help. Another key is every team in the NFL attempts to hatchet Hampton at the point of attack…Hampton is accustomed to the chicken shit blocking scheme so it comes as no surprise when the Ravens attempt it. Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons must tackle better in space.  They cannot allow Rice yards after contact. Marshall Yanda is either really hurt or on the downside of his career…He lacks the mobility to make meaningful contact at the 2^nd level…Yanda would destroy linebackers and defensive backs at the 2^nd level in years past…He is struggling to get there this season….The Steelers inside linebackers must come under blocks and make plays…If they cannot come under the block they must make a big pile in the hole. Jai Reed is a massive man…He is not mobile and stands straight up in the run game…Reid can be a devastating double team blocker at the point of attack…He misses a ton of blocks at the second level. The Steelers need dominant performances from Hampton, Foote and Timmons. Foote and Timmons must lead the orchestra of violence…They must set the tone early and often.

Hood and Kelechi Osemele- This is a must have matchup for the Steelers. Lamar Woodley is most likely out…Jason Worilds is decent against the run…He has more mobility…He is a step down at the point of attack from Wood…So the Steelers need a special performance from the right defensive position. I expect Hood and Heyward split snaps…The Steelers need plays out of both players…Osemele starts drives strong and fades big time after 8-10 snaps…Osemele is massive and plays with a mean streak; Hood can beat him in the run game with quickness.  Heyward can beat him with strength and technique. This is the most critical matchup in the front seven against the run.

James Harrison is finally starting to get the acclaim he is due…The Ravens tight ends Ed Dickson (I think he is out) Dennis Pitta and Billy Bajema have no chance of blocking Harrison in the run game…They will be forced to bring in the extra offensive linemen to play tight end in the run game if they expect to block Harrison in the run game. Jason Worilds is going to get the start this week…He needs to beat blocks at the point of attack…Basically if the Ravens tight ends have success blocking Worilds in the run game the Steelers could be screwed. The Steelers need Jason Worilds to have an active game against the run. The Ravens other choice of running at Harrison is blocking him with a normal tight end and whamming him with fullback Vonta Leach…If the Ravens employ this tactic TP (It’s great to post that) Timmons or Foote must blow up the play in the back field.

The Steelers cornerbacks have to be ready to kill the Ravens wide receivers in the run game…The Steelers best chance to win this game is nuclear warfare…A body bag game where Ravens bodies are going into the bags. TP and Clark…Kill.

I have to be honest…If the Steelers defense takes 2-3 15 yard penalties I will not be upset…I just hope they get their money’s worth.

The man with one eye brow must go down hard

Deebo and Oher- I said it in the podcast…Harrison is close. I hope this is the game the old James Harrison rears his beautiful menacing head. Oher is a rocking false starting machine…Harrison must get in his head…The only way he can do that is beating Oher to the edge…Harrison must show an explosive first step and run the arc…If you beat Oher to the edge one time he will over set to the edge the rest of the game setting up the inside rush. The Steelers need to pressure Flacco into bad throws…They must make him move his feet and reset under pressure.

Keisel and Reid- Keisel continues to make big plays for this defense. The batted ball should have been the key play to a Steelers victory against the Browns. Reid has struggled big time in pass protection in his limited number of NFL starts. The Steelers need Keisel to continue to make plays. Reid is a big kid with awful technique and limited athletic ability…Keisel must utilize his quickness and explosive ability to pressure Flacco inside of the tackle box.

Casey Hampton must do a better job of pushing the pocket rushing the passer…He must eat up two blocks. Same thing can be said for McClendon…The Steelers need interior pressure in Flacco’s face. The Ravens love to pass out of run looks…The best way to stop the 3-5 step passing game is drilling the quarterback.

Hood/Heyward and Yanda-I don’t expect much from Hood and Heyward this week. Yanda is struggling in the run game he is still very solid in pass pro. I think the Steelers best chance of success is allowing both rushers to play to their strengths rushing the passer. Hood is just a spur of the moment rusher…Hood has no method to his madness he just hustles and attempts to use his quickness to beat blocks with rip moves and swim moves…Heyward is more of a straight line power rusher who will incorporate solid technique into a under rated power pass rush game. The Steelers need unexpected players to make plays…Hood and Heyward fit the bill.

Worilds and Osemele-The Steelers need production from this matchup. Jason Worilds has been solid rushing the passer in limited opportunities this season. Osemele is a massive blocker with decent range for such a large man. Osemele reminds me of a less refined Flozell Adams at right tackle. If he can get his hands on you he is going to win most battles…If Osemele misses on initial contact he is in big trouble because he doesn’t have the feet to re-anchor and block on the move. Worilds is going to have to vary his pass rush at times…The most important thing is he can’t quit….He cannot stay blocked.

I expect this could be the week Adrian Robinson gets some limited chances to rush the quarterback...Robinson’s 1^st step quickness could give both Ravens tackles fits in pass protection. The Steelers front seven must play like a pack of wild dogs…They must be relentless.

The health of Ed Dickson is a major factor in this game. Lawrence Timmons is excellent in coverage…He may be the best linebacker in coverage in the NFL…He must tackle better in space. Harrison is under rated in coverage…He no longer has the range he once had…He is still very good in coverage. Jason Worilds is a better option in coverage than Woodley…Worilds actually does a great job in his zone drops he must find the ball quicker when it’s in the air. Larry Foote is terrible in coverage. If Dickson can’t play that allows Timmons to lock down Dennis Pitta…Pitta will most likely be looking for a safety on any route coming across the middle of the field…He had his brains scrambled in 2 of the past 3 meetings against the Steelers. Ray Rice is a major concern in the passing game…I am thrilled to have 43 back in the lineup…He takes away so much of the field. I am very concerned with the Steelers ability to cover the Ravens secondary targets in the passing game….Backs out of the back field…2^nd tight end blocks and releases.

Ike will draw Torrey Smith…I expect Ike locks down Torrey Smith. Lewis will draw Bolden…Lewis will play bump and man trail technique and limit Bolden to ugly catches for limited gains. I do not expect Jacoby Jones to be very effective if he plays…I am more concerned with Tandon Doss…I expect Cortez Allen draws the inside receiver…Jones can run and I expect Allen respects his speed…Doss cannot run and I expect Allen plays in his hip pocket taking away easy throws. The Ravens rarely go 4 wide receivers. TP takes away half the field by being in uniform…Ryan Clark is just a bad man.

Joe Flacco can spin the ball…He can make any throw. The Steelers pass rush must make him uncomfortable….Flacco will make some awful throws under pressure.

The Steelers must force turnovers…They must Attack the ball in a violent manner.

Steelers Run Game

Different approach this week because of the injuries and changing Ravens front….Starks will be covered by Ngata at times in the run game…He will be covered by Arthur Jones and Suggs at times and other times he will be uncovered. Starks is similar to Frankenstein in the run game…His range and athleticism are limited. Starks is best in the run game when he is covered and not asked to move much. Starks has to get some movement on Ngata at the point of attack if the Steelers expect to run the football to the left side of the formation. Starks has to punish and beat the shit out of Suggs in the run game when given the opportunity. Starks must own his matchup against Arthur Jones in the run game. I expect Willie Colon starts at left guard this week…If he cannot play this week Moe Pouncey will slide into LG and Bronco will play center. The Steelers need a smart fundamentally sound game from Colon…Colon will be covered by Ngata and Kemo in the run game…Both Ravens tackles are ginormous and difficult to move off the ball…Colon has to turn them at the very least and give the back a crack of daylight to attack. I am very concerned about Colon at left guard. I actually have faith in Pouncey or Bronco at center this week…Kemo is massive but not very explosive. Kemo eats up space and clogs holes…I don’t expect Pouncey or Bronco to get movement at the point of attack…I also don’t expect either player to be placed on roller skates and blown five yards into the back field. Ramon Foster will have the same matchups as Colon…Foster unlike Colon has the size and mass to move Ngata or Kemo off the ball at times…The Steelers will need a fierce performance from Foster…He is the only player with the physical gifts to be a difference maker against those behemoth tackles. Kevin Beachum welcome to the NFL you will make your 1^st NFL start on the road against the Ravens. Beachum like Starks will see a variety of players lined up against him. Beachum is undersized but he battles so I believe the Steelers have a chance at some success in the run game. Beachum is going to struggle with Ngata and Arthur Jones…Both players are far bigger and stronger with similar athleticism as Beachum. Beachum has to chip away and battle. Beachum must dominate matchups in the run game with Paul Kruger.

The Steelers offensive line is a mess.

Heath Miller and David Paulson will be asked to block Paul Kruger and Terell Suggs in the run game…The Steelers tight ends must dominate these matchups…I believe the Steelers best chance to run the ball will be to the perimeter of the Ravens defense. With the offensive line struggling with injuries the other parts of the run game have to step up and perform way above the line. Heath Miller, David Paulson, Will Johnson and the wide receivers must kick ass and take names if the Steelers expect to have any chance of success running the football.

Running backs…Just fumbled again. Protect the fucking ball. I will not make excuses. The Steelers will need all the backs to make plays. I don’t expect many huge gaping holes this week…The Steelers backs must locate the hole and attack it. The main issue I see this week in the run game is getting the second level blocked in the run game…Ngata and Kemo will both force double teams...Someone has to get to the 2^nd level in the run game and pick off Daniel Ellerbe(very doubtful for this game) Brendan  Ayanbadejo and Jammel McClain. The Steelers backs need to make tacklers miss or break some tackles…They will be forced to earn their pay checks this week.

The Ravens are going to have 9 men in the box…Charlie has to make some throws. I hope the Steelers receivers are ready to battle in the run game…The Steelers need to hunt Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard in the run game.

Fuck Me Charlie Batch

Starks and Suggs- Starks has been solid in pass protection…Actually Starks has been outstanding in pass pro and that must continue this week. Suggs is not the player he was last season before the ankle and Achilles injuries. I don’t care how Starks gets the job done…He must shut down Suggs off the edge. The Ravens are going to flip pass rushers.  At some point the Ravens will line up Suggs over Beachum which means Starks will draw Paul Kruger rushing the passer…Kruger is very gifted rushing the passer…He is very quick and slippery…Starks cannot get caught flat footed against Kruger. If Starks stays sound with his technique he can shut down any pass rusher in the league!

Colon and Ngata- I swear to Christ if Colon messes up a simple line stunt in this game I may stroke out. Colon’s issues are between the ears in pass protection…it’s not a matter of conditioning like some fans and posters like to point out. Mental mistakes in pass pro get quarterbacks killed. If Colon figures out who to block I have no concerns in pass pro. Colon is stout enough to handle any power rusher the Ravens have from the interior.

Pouncey-He must sort everything out…No mental breakdowns on blitz pickup. Physical errors I can live with…Just don’t get tricked.

Foster and Jones-The Steelers need Foster to dominate this matchup. Beachum is going to need help with Suggs or Kruger coming off the edge…Only so many players you can help without running 2 man routes. Foster has been quietly solid in pass pro…That must continue this week. Jones is a counter move rusher…He is not athletic enough to make plays with speed or quickness and not stout enough to make plays with brute force…Foster must latch on and eliminate Jones from rushing the passer.

Beachum and Kruger- Beachum will get help until he proves he can handle rushers off the edge. I expect the Steelers keep in a tight end or chip with a back. Beachum was actually solid for the most part against the Browns in limited duty. I have no clue how good or bad Beachum is…I guess we will find out Sunday?

The Ravens have no answer for Heath Miller in coverage…I question how active Miller will be in the passing game because of the question mark at right tackle and in pass protection overall. The Steelers cannot win this game without Miller being a contributor in the passing game. I am not impressed with any Ravens defender in coverage other than Ed Reed. If the Steelers offensive line can hold up and Batch can make throws, there will be plays to be made. The Ravens inside backers cannot cover Miller Paulson or any of the backs out of the back field. Terrell Suggs takes plays off when he is asked to drop into coverage…Paul Kruger is very athletic but he is limited in coverage because he does not understand routes. The Steelers running backs must be difference makers in the passing game…They must block and make plays when given the opportunity. The most important thing for the Steelers backs…Protect the football.

Cary Williams will draw Mike Wallace….Cary Williams will get help over the top. Mike Wallace is a nuclear weapon for the Steelers…He must make plays on the ball. Welcome back AB you were sorely missed the past few weeks. AB will draw Corey Graham in coverage…If AB can move at all he will wear out Graham in coverage. AB has a quickness element that puts defensive backs on their heels. Plax looked rusty but he is still a very dangerous player. I expect the Steelers sneak Wallace or Brown into the slot at times and move Plax out wide…When Ben returns this alignment could be lethal. Manny Sanders was a major disappointment replacing Brown…I feel he is a great player who just needs to capitalize on chances to make plays. The Ravens secondary is a mess Ed Reed is the one constant and he is a dangerous play maker…If the Oline can hold up and Batch makes some throws, plays can be had against this defense. Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Plax and Cotchery must beat coverage and make plays for Charlie.

Charlie protect the ball and trust your playmakers to make plays…Throw the ball on time…Nothing ventured nothing gained.

If the Steelers have any chance to win this game it will take a team effort. The offense cannot turn the ball over and the defense must force turnovers. The Special teams must be even.

Special Teams

The Steelers suck.

Score

Steelers 13

Ravens 10

I am a fat  homer.