Streets On Fire, The Mob Goes Wild.

A division win on the Road…You better believe I will take it. The Steelers looked far from great against the Bengals…They were just good enough to win. The Steelers should be undefeated; I understand they pissed away 3 games this season.  I also understand this team lacks a killer instinct…I have a sick feeling the Steelers are getting ready to get hot…Hot for this current Steelers group means winning games in an ugly fashion…Ugly wins are fine by me.

RGIII is a great rookie player…I fear RG III far more than Manning, Vick or Dalton…I pointed out on the podcast a few things. This will be the 1^st time RGIII sees a 34 defense as a pro player. RGIII has yet to face a blitzing attacking defense as a pro…RGIII also has 6 weeks of film for LeBeau, Tomlin, Butler, Lake and Mitchell to break down. RGIII is a 70% passer with elite arm strength and he is an Olympic level hurdler; the kid is a talented freak who scares the crap out of me.

The Redskins defense is the walking wounded…You will get no sympathy from me as the Steelers will be missing three starters on offense. London Fletcher is expected to miss this game…What a huge loss for the Skins. The Redskins defense is a hot mess…The Steelers offense better be prepared to hang some points this weekend.

Steelers Run Game

Starks and Jenkins- Jarvis Jenkins plays RDE a majority of the time he is in the game…He will also play some nose tackle at times. Jenkins is very good against the run…He is a powerful man who plays with great leverage in the run game. Jenkins is not very fast or explosive…I don’t believe either player will dominate this matchup…I could see Jenkins controlling the matchup in the run game. Starks just doesn’t play with a consistent fire in his belly in the run game…Starks has no desire to dominate the point of attack he just wants to get in the way and shield his defender from the ball carrier…If Starks doesn’t get walked or beat across his face in the run game I will be content.

Colon Pouncey Foster Vs Cofield Alexander and Riley- Pouncey with a bad knee will need some help with Barry Cofield a giant nose tackle with play making ability. The good news for Steelers fans this week is the Redskins inside linebackers are very slow. Lorenzo Alexander a former 300 pound defensive tackle will replace the injured London Fletcher at inside linebacker on run downs. Alexander lacks the instincts to play in space. Perry Riley the other inside linebacker is a good player…He is not very stout or quick at the point of attack…His game is very comparable to a young Larry Foote. The Steelers must win these matchups...If Pouncey is close to healthy he may not need much help with Cofield…The Steelers must find a way to get the guards to the second level in the run game if they plan on having success running the ball between the tackles.

Adams and Bowen- I have never been a fan of Stephen Bowen…I believe he is softer than baby shit. Mike Adams continues to show improvement every game. Adams rarely makes the same mistake twice…Adams learned a quick lesson about pad level and hand placement early in the Bengals game when he was placed flat on his back at the point of attack. Adams has a mean streak to go along with great physicals gifts…Adams has the potential to be the best Steelers offensive tackle in a long time. Bowen relies on his quickness and length to make plays against the run…Adams is the bigger athletic player if he plays with proper technique he will beat the piss out of Bowen up and down the field.

Heath Miller, Leonard Pope and David Paulson should be prepared to take beatings this week. Ryan Kerrigan and Rob Jackson are former college defensive linemen who play the run pretty damn hard. The Steelers tight ends have little to no chance of blocking either player for an extended period of time. Rob Jackson is a better player against the run than Brian Orakpo. The Steelers showed some variety of blocking schemes against the Bengals…Something I would look for is Mike Adams to take a drop step and block the outside linebacker at the point of attack…The Tight end to down block on Bowen. The Redskins outside linebacker’s play the run at a high level…The Steelers will be forced to be creative to block them…Adams mobility gives them options.

I expect Mendy is rested another week I believe the TP re-injury makes the decision easy for the Steelers. Jonathan Dwyer will draw the bulk of the carries with Redman and Rainey as the change of pace backs.  The task remains the same no matter who the runners is...Find and attack the hole, protect the ball, and finish every run going forward. Will Johnson did a nice job with his first carry…His run blocking is showing signs of improvement…If Johnson ever becomes a good blocker he has the potential to be very dangerous in the modern game…Defenses no longer cover or account for the fullback.

The Steelers receivers try hard in the run game…Josh Wilson is terrible against the run. DeAngelo Hall is a bit of a head case who I believe AB could drive bonkers. The Skins safeties are average at best. Madieu Williams will make one big play and allow three bad plays against the Steelers…Reed Doughty tries hard but he has the speed of a slow inside backer.

I believe the Steelers best chance to run the ball will be between the tackles…Pouncey Colon and Foster will be the key to success. The Steelers tight ends have brutally tough matchups.

Ben Pimping

Starks and Jackson-The Steelers will leave Max out on the island with no help…I expect the Steelers give Adams help with Kerrigan. Jackson is the type of player who has given Max fits in the past. Jackson is a scrub who was forced into action when Brian Orakpo went down with injury. I have a hunch Jackson gives Starks fits early in the game. Jackson has a non-stop motor; he will keep coming all afternoon. Starks will figure out Jackson and shut him down. Starks needs motivation and I expect Jackson gives it to him by beating his ass to the edge a few times.

Colon and Cofield- I would not be surprised if they fight. Both players have a tendency to play angry and step over the line. Cofield is a very good interior rusher…He has lost a step or two over the years.  Don’t be fooled this will be a very stiff test for Colon in pass pro. I don’t think Cofield has the quickness to beat Colon in a confined space…Colon does a nice job of anchoring and latching on…Cofield will have some success if Ben holds onto the ball…I don’t expect many flash pressures from Cofield against Colon.

Pouncey- This is the weakness of Pouncey’s game. Pouncey has the tools…He tries to do too much at times and over commits in one area and gets beat back door…Pouncey must make the calls and close down the rushers.

Foster and Jenkins- This matchup concerns me…I believe I went from giving Foster too much credit to the other extreme of throwing him under the bus. Foster is good in pass pro…He does struggle with big athletic players and Jenkins is just that. Jenkins is very advanced rushing the passer…He can attack an interior linemen with speed and power rush moves…Foster must stay back in his stance and counter punch moving his feet to mirror Jenkins…I believe Foster can beat Jenkins up over time rushing the passer…Foster better be prepared for a war…He better be technically sound or he will give up flash pressures and Ben will go down and he will go down hard.

Adams and Kerrigan- They met in college and it was not pretty…Kerrigan took Adams to school with skill rushing the passer…He beat Adams inside…He beat Adams to the edge. The Steelers will be forced to help Adams with Kerrigan this week. Mike Adams has improved over the past two years…Kerrigan at this point has too much in his tool box rushing the passer for Adams to handle without help to the edge. Kerrigan is a good player…He is one of the worst matchups for Adams. Kerrigan is very cerebral rushing the passer one rush sets up the next.

The Redskins will miss London Fletcher in coverage. I expect Kennan Robinson replaces Fletcher in the nickel looks. The Redskins do not have an answer for Heath Miller in coverage. Riley is too slow and small. Robinson is wet behind the ears and the Redskins safeties are too small. I expect the Steelers exploit the interior of the Redskins defense early in the game with Miller, Paulson, Will Johnson, Rainey, and Redman. The Skins outside linebackers struggle in coverage and playing in space. The Redskins safeties are small and have cement feet.

Wallace will draw Hall…Hall ten years ago could run with Wallace in space…He has no fucking chance at this point of his career. I expect Mike Wallace wants to make a statement in front of his home crowd. The Redskins will roll coverage to Wallace until they are tired of being eaten alive by the Steelers tight ends and running backs…I expect Wallace makes a big play or two this week. AB will draw Josh Wilson…AB is smoother than silk and sweeter than honey…Josh Wilson straight line can run like a deer…Wilson struggles to open his hips and transition…AB is special because of his quickness and unreal balance…AB runs great routes which is only accentuated by that great quickness …He reminds me of Lance Alworth running routes and with the ball in his hands. Manny Sanders hates life at this point…Jericho Cotchery is most likely not very happy either. Sanders and Cotchery are used as blockers…Both are excellent blockers who contribute big time. It’s an element of this offense that often goes overlooked and I made it a point of emphasis in this week’s article…Chris Rainey ran 30 yards to make blocks…High effort is contagious it’s something Sanders, Rainey, Miller, Paulson andjkl; Cotchery bring every week. Sanders and Cotchery will draw DaJuan Gomes and Cedric Griffin…Both Redskins players are former starters in the NFL…They both suck. Sanders and Cotchery will eat them alive if they get chances.

Ben protect the ball…Don’t take hits…Do your sweet thing.

Skins Dirty Ass Run Game

The Skins blur the line of dirty blocking. Basically anything goes…The Steelers front seven better understand the rules of engagement, and they better be prepared for it. The Redskins offensive line works like a machine…All gears firing at once working in unison.

Keisel and Williams- Trent Williams added size over the past 2 years…He is still a very athletic man. He is not the freak athlete who weighed 285 pounds coming out of Oklahoma. Williams is going to handle Keisel. Williams is younger, stronger, and more athletic…Keisel must use his mind and instincts to have any chance in this matchup…Keisel has to guess the count…Guess the play from formation…Keisel must take some chances or he is going to be washed out at the point of attack in the run game.

Hampton Foote and Timmons Vs Lichtensteiger Montgomery and Chester-The Steelers cannot ask Hampton to sit down and play 2 gap against these dirty hatching bastards…I am sure the Steelers will enter this game with 2 gap on their minds…Hampton must be allowed to attack the line of scrimmage and penetrate. The Redskins interior offensive line is tiny with both guards weighing less than 290 pounds…The Steelers inside backers can win battles at the line of scrimmage if they are allowed to play downhill. The Steelers run defense will die the slow death if they attempt to play, read and react two gap defense against the Redskins. The Steelers only chance to stop the run game of the Redskins is by causing chaos in the backfield blowing up blocking assignments forcing the ball carrier to run east west instead of north south. Timmons and Foote must do a far better job of tackling.

Hood and Polumbus- This is another favorable matchup for the Steelers if they allow Hood to play up field and blow shit up. Polumbus is a long lanky athletic right tackle with excellent technique and a nasty mean streak. Hood as a stationary target will get walked off the ball against the Redskins zone blocking system…That being said Hood got destroyed at the point of attack in the run game…He cannot get blown five yards off the ball. If Hood is given the opportunity to come up field and attack the line of scrimmage he can get up in Polumbus’ chest and beat his ass; he is the stronger player. I hope LeBeau says screw it and attacks with his defensive front…If they get gashed you can always go back to the 2 gap principles.

James Harrison and Lamar Woodley should destroy the Redskins tight ends in the run game.  Cris Cooley was just signed this past week and he never had a desire to run block. Niles Paul is a former Wr who weighs 231 pounds.  Logan Paulson is a Matt Spaeth clone that is so freaking slow he can’t block anyone. Paulson is the only blocker who has a chance of blocking Harrison or Woodley…The Steelers must be aware of the QB runs with RG III….I hope and pray the Skins are dumb enough to run option at Woodley or Harrison on the weak side. Harrison and Woodley cannot be over aggressive chasing plays…RG III will pop out the backside with a run or play action.

The Steelers defensive backs must dominate the run game…Taylor and Lewis must support the run like bats out of hell. Ryan Clark is judge jury and executioner in the run game…He always puts some hot sauce on it. Will Allen sucks…He is an improvement over Mundy.

Redskins tail back Alfred Morris is a bowling ball with good vision and surprising speed. He is a quality young runner. The Redskins don’t have much off the bench behind him in Evan Royster and Keiland Williams. Redskins’ fullback Darrell Young is a bruiser.  He sprained his ankle and is very questionable for this game. RGIII is a freak who can score from anywhere on the field.

The Steelers must choke off the Redskins run game.  I believe the best way of completing that task is by playing a fast paced attacking defense…The Steelers will not start the game with that type of game plan…I believe they may be forced into it. The Redskins have a bad habit of putting the ball on the ground.  The Steelers must capitalize on the Redskins mistakes.

RGIII not sure what he sees

If the Steelers force the Redskins into obvious passing situations I believe they can confuse and exploit RG III…If Shanny can stay balanced and play call at will…RG III may pick this defense apart.

Deebo and Williams- I know many of you think Harrison is done…I don’t. Trent Williams is a good tackle in pass pro…Deebo has the ability to eat him up. Harrison cannot dip like he use to …It may never come back…What has returned to Harrison’s game is his power. Harrison draws blockers because he can end a quarterback’s career instantly. Harrison must keep his rush lane…RGIII can dip to the corner and pick up 20 in the flash of an eye.

Keisel and Lichtensteiger-The Steelers need this matchup so bad. Keisel must provide some form of a pass rush….Keisel must pressure the quarterback. Both Keisel and Hood were attempting to bat balls that must continue. Keisel should be able to give Lichtensteiger fits rushing the passer….I have no idea what the Steelers think the Ranger defense with everyone standing around accomplishes other than giving up 1^st downs. The Steelers need an interior pass rush…It starts with Keisel.

Hood and Chester- Basically same deal as above….Hood has had success against Chester rushing the passer in the past. Hood needs to be an explosive ass kicking interior rusher…LeBeau must take some chances with his fronts…Let the big dogs eat.

Woodley and Polumbus- Woodley should own this matchup, but for some reason Polumbus gives him fits rushing the passer. Polumbus is very long and very quick…Woodley has to set up his pass rush. Woodley rarely varies his rush moves…Woodley gets in the habit of repeating the same rush move over and over…Woodley is a fantastic technician he just fails to use all of his tools. Woodley really needs to talk to great rushers in this league from the past…Woodley is a player whose career path has flat lined….Woodley has all the ability in the world…His issues are mental and work related.

The Steelers will wave in McClendon and Heyward…Both players give everything they got. Al Woods is an improving player…No one runs to the ball or hustles more than Woods…I believe the light is going on.

If I said I had no respect for the Redskins receivers in the passing game that would be an understatement.

Timmons Foote and the Steelers backers should have no issues with the Redskins tight ends and running backs in the passing game.  Cris Cooley was a weapon five years ago…He has no vertical speed since the leg injury two years ago. Niles Paul is a former Wr…He runs poor routes. The Steelers linebackers and safeties must sniff out the screen game.  It’s an element of the Shanny offensive attack that always gives the Steelers issues. At times I expect Timmons is going to spy and run with RGIII…He must deliver a big blow every chance he has…No free rides.

Ike Taylor will draw Josh Morgan…Morgan is a very average wide receiver whose strength is blocking in the run game. Ike cannot take any dumb penalties or stupid risks in coverage…Ike was outstanding against the Bengals. Kennan Lewis will draw Leonard Hankerson…Lewis should be all over Hankerson like stink on shit…Hankerson is a big physical wide receiver he cannot separate or beat coverage. My biggest concern is Santana Moss out of the slot…Moss still has just enough speed to run away from coverage…Moss is an improved route runner and proven playmaker in this league. If the Redskins are in 4 Wr sets this game it’s going the Steelers way. Ryan Clark and Allen must stay over the top of receivers…The Steelers can NOT afford to blow coverage’s this week.

At this point of his NFL career RGIII looks like part Mike Vick (speed) part Jim Kelly (release and ball velocity) and finally part Joe Montana (Presence)…After this week he could look like a young Donovan McNabb or Akilli Smith just overmatched against the Steelers defense. I really like Mr. Griffin’s make up…I think the kid is going to be great. I think he struggles against the Steelers defense in this matchup. I believe the Steelers force the Redskins to pass the ball by putting touchdowns on the board offensively. I expect the Steelers athletes in the front seven will be too much for this zone blocking offensive line. I expect Harrison and Woodley apply pressure off the edge and Timmons from the interior. I fear RGIII.

Special Teams

Discontinued because the Steelers suck

Score

Steelers 31

Skins 27