(Home team is in caps.)
Steelers (-10.5) over BROWNS
The Steelers (6-6) have lost four games in a row and haven’t looked very good since a dominating Week 9 win in Denver in early November. And even though any team can go through a bad stretch of football, the Steelers have struggled against rather mediocre teams. Of Pittsburgh’s six losses, only two of them have come against what many would call a "very good" team: the Bengals (9-3). The other four losses are to the Bears (5-7), Chiefs (3-9), Ravens (6-6), and Raiders (4-8). The Steelers usually put those teams away handily, but this season they've lost each one of those games by three points.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the Browns (1-11) are one of the worst teams in the NFL and don’t have much to play for -- other than to keep losing to secure getting the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. As of right now, Hines Ward is "very questionable" and Troy Polamalu is out for the game and may not play again this season. But against Cleveland, Pittsburgh should be fine without those two and can attack the Browns’ 27th-ranked defense (25.8 points per game).
The Steelers aren't out of the playoff picture just yet, but they can't afford to lose again this season.
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Steelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Steelers. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Titans, Steelers set to open 2009 season
Tonight at 8:30, the 2009-2010 NFL season will begin with the Titans visiting the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers. Lots of analysts are predicting another trip to the Super Bowl for the Steelers; I'm not one of them. I think they'll still be solid and make the playoffs, but I don't see them getting all the way back to the Super Bowl, let alone repeating as champions. I have my reasons, but I'll get to those another time.
Anyway, here's a little site news: I'm going to post a picks write-up each week. It won't present the most in-depth or knowledgeable football information that anyone has ever read, but it will give some insight into how I view certain matchups and what I think of various teams. It should at least be interesting, especially when my picks end up being completely wrong.
But back to the Titans-Steelers game; here's my pick (home team is in caps):
Titans (+6) over STEELERS
When these two teams faced each other last year in Tennessee, the Titans won 31-17 and forced the Steelers to make plenty of mistakes. The Titans collected five sacks -- three and a half of them by rookie defensive lineman Jason Jones, who started in place of the injured Albert Haynesworth. Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions (one was returned for a touchdown), and he fumbled four times and lost two of them. The Titans, on the other hand, didn't commit any turnovers, and they moved the ball relatively well against the Pittsburgh defense.
But that was just one game, and it certainly didn't stop the Steelers from winning the Super Bowl. The Steelers defense looks to be just as good as it was last season, and Willie Parker is apparently healthy and ready to carry a full workload in the backfield. But the Titans return plenty of talent as well. If not for an injury to Chris Johnson and some mistakes of their own in a disappointing playoff loss to the Ravens, the Titans and Steelers would have faced each other in the playoffs. But, hey, that's how things go -- it's all about making plays at the right time.
If the Steelers win the turnover battle and protect Roethlisberger, they should be able to pull out a victory at home over a good team. But it will be close.
Steelers 20, Titans 17
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I'll post the rest of my picks on either Friday or Saturday. Enjoy the game.
Anyway, here's a little site news: I'm going to post a picks write-up each week. It won't present the most in-depth or knowledgeable football information that anyone has ever read, but it will give some insight into how I view certain matchups and what I think of various teams. It should at least be interesting, especially when my picks end up being completely wrong.
But back to the Titans-Steelers game; here's my pick (home team is in caps):
Titans (+6) over STEELERS
When these two teams faced each other last year in Tennessee, the Titans won 31-17 and forced the Steelers to make plenty of mistakes. The Titans collected five sacks -- three and a half of them by rookie defensive lineman Jason Jones, who started in place of the injured Albert Haynesworth. Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions (one was returned for a touchdown), and he fumbled four times and lost two of them. The Titans, on the other hand, didn't commit any turnovers, and they moved the ball relatively well against the Pittsburgh defense.
But that was just one game, and it certainly didn't stop the Steelers from winning the Super Bowl. The Steelers defense looks to be just as good as it was last season, and Willie Parker is apparently healthy and ready to carry a full workload in the backfield. But the Titans return plenty of talent as well. If not for an injury to Chris Johnson and some mistakes of their own in a disappointing playoff loss to the Ravens, the Titans and Steelers would have faced each other in the playoffs. But, hey, that's how things go -- it's all about making plays at the right time.
If the Steelers win the turnover battle and protect Roethlisberger, they should be able to pull out a victory at home over a good team. But it will be close.
Steelers 20, Titans 17
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I'll post the rest of my picks on either Friday or Saturday. Enjoy the game.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Harrison to skip Steelers' White House trip (again)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and reigning defensive player of the year James Harrison is undoubtedly happy that his team won the Super Bowl this year. But strangely enough, he won't be going with the rest of his team to visit the White House next week:
There's no question that Harrison is a solid football player, but he's definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed. Then again, he is consistent: Harrison did the same thing after the Steelers' 2006 Super Bowl victory.
"This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," said Harrison.
There's no question that Harrison is a solid football player, but he's definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed. Then again, he is consistent: Harrison did the same thing after the Steelers' 2006 Super Bowl victory.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl XLIII pick
Steelers 24, Cardinals 13
No in-depth analysis on this one. Just a hunch.
I also find it hard to believe that, if the Cardinals win, the Redskins will have beaten the last two Super Bowl champs in the regular season. It doesn't mean anything -- just saying.
Enjoy the game.
No in-depth analysis on this one. Just a hunch.
I also find it hard to believe that, if the Cardinals win, the Redskins will have beaten the last two Super Bowl champs in the regular season. It doesn't mean anything -- just saying.
Enjoy the game.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
NFL playoffs picks: The revenge of Darren Sproles?
I don't write many NFL picks columns/articles; I'm not very good at it. Last week I thought the Falcons, Colts, Ravens, and Eagles would win, which was good (or bad) enough for a 2-2 record.
But then again, there are some great matchups this week, so I figured I'd give my two cents.
Ravens at Titans
To me, this is the most intriguing game of the four. In his own picks column, Bill Simmons described this game better than I ever could:
Simmons then goes on to discuss the teams' Week 5 matchup, which the Titans won 13-10. That game was at Baltimore, and the Ravens actually outgained the Titans 285-210. Joe Flacco was 18/27 for 153 yards but threw two interceptions; Kerry Collins completed 17 of 32 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown -- but also had two interceptions.
To be honest, there's no reason to think this game will be any different -- a well-played, physical game that comes down to the wire. The Titans (14.6) and Ravens (15.3) rank second and third, respectively, in points allowed per game; they're also second and third in turnover margin (+14 to +13).
These teams are very similar, but I give the edge to Baltimore because of the way Ed Reed and their entire defense is playing. I know the Titans have been resting for a few weeks now, but if the past few years have taught us anything, it's that the well-rested and 'completely healthy' team doesn't always come out with the same fire or intensity that it had earlier in the season. But the team that has been playing for its playoff lives and been fighting and clawing each week usually does. Just look at what happened to the Colts.
Jeff Fisher is an outstanding head coach, but I just don't see Collins picking the Ravens' defense apart and leading his team to victory.
Pick: Ravens 20, Titans 16
Cardinals at Panthers
On the other hand, this game is probably the easiest for me to decide on.
Here are the results of the Cardinals' five games on the East Coast:
Week 3 at Washington -- 17-24 Loss
Week 4 at NY Jets -- 35-56 Loss
Week 8 at Carolina -- 23-27 Loss
Week 13 at Philadelphia -- 20-48 Loss
Week 16 at New England -- 7-47 Loss
To summarize, the Cardinals were 0-5 on the East Coast in the regular season and were outscored 202-102. In fact, out of their eight games on the road, the Cardinals were 3-5, with those three wins coming against NFC West opponents: the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.
Interestingly enough, the Cardinals actually looked their best in Carolina. Warner threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns, but their defense couldn't stop Jake Delhomee (248 yards, 2 TD), DeAngelo Williams (108 yards, 1 TD), or Steve Smith (117 yards, 2 TD). If they're going to win this time around, they'll need to slow down the Panthers' rushing attack.
They won't.
Pick: Panthers 34, Cardinals 20
Eagles at Giants
The Eagles, for the most part, can't run the football, but the Giants can.
Brian Westbrook obviously isn't 100 percent, but then again, is he ever? Also, Correll Buckhalter has actually looked pretty good this season. But the Eagles never seem very interested in running the ball, and usually, they're not very good at it either. It's not surprising that in the Eagles' win over the Giants in Week 14, Westbrook ran for 131 yards. It's also not terribly shocking that their leading rusher in their Week 10 loss to the Giants was Donovan McNabb with just 35 yards.
In nine wins this season, the Eagles' leading rusher averaged about 90 yards per game. And in six losses, the Eagles' leading rusher averaged only 46 yards. (Also, in one tie, Westbrook rushed for 60 yards -- seems about right.)
Besides the play of McNabb (300 yards, 1 TD) and Westbrook's 71-yard touchdown off of a screen pass last week, the Eagles gave the Vikings plenty of opportunities to win the game. It's just a shame that Tarvaris Jackson wasn't up to the task -- imagine that.
On the Giants side, their three-headed rushing attack -- Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw -- appears to be healthy. And unlike the Eagles, they are devoted to running the ball at all costs.
Not having Plaxico Burress certainly hurts, as it did the last time the two teams played, but the Giants have had plenty of time to come up with a solid game plan.
The Giants will make the Eagles one-dimensional, and they will win the game.
Pick: Giants 24, Eagles 17
Chargers at Steelers
Darren Sproles, who has been one of my favorite players ever since I played with Kansas State in NCAA Football 2004 and ran the option with Ell Roberson and Sproles, was simply sensational last week in helping will the Chargers to victory. This week, though, the Chargers face a completely different defense -- the number one ranked defense of the Steelers that allows only 13.9 points per game.
If the Chargers are going to win this game, Sproles will need to be all over the field again, rushing for first downs, catching screen passes, and making big plays on special teams. I think he has the ability to do so, but the Steelers, with their raucous home crowd behind them, will be extremely difficult to beat.
The Chargers have a puncher's chance in this one, but I just don't see any way they leave Pittsburgh with a victory.
Pick: Steelers 23, Chargers 13
But then again, there are some great matchups this week, so I figured I'd give my two cents.
Ravens at Titans
To me, this is the most intriguing game of the four. In his own picks column, Bill Simmons described this game better than I ever could:
One of those mirror-image games, like when Hasselhoff used to fight his evil twin on "Knight Rider." The Titans and Ravens do the same things: muscle you; intimidate you; control the clock with their running games and hopefully break a few semi-big runs; make you pay for loading up on the line by hitting a couple of deep balls (even though neither has a prototypical deep threat); hit a tight end over the middle every so often; and more than anything, make two or three huge plays with their defense. There will be no coaching screw-ups in this game. There will be no dumb chances taken. You will not shake your head at any point for four quarters and say, "Why the hell did they just do that?"
Simmons then goes on to discuss the teams' Week 5 matchup, which the Titans won 13-10. That game was at Baltimore, and the Ravens actually outgained the Titans 285-210. Joe Flacco was 18/27 for 153 yards but threw two interceptions; Kerry Collins completed 17 of 32 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown -- but also had two interceptions.
To be honest, there's no reason to think this game will be any different -- a well-played, physical game that comes down to the wire. The Titans (14.6) and Ravens (15.3) rank second and third, respectively, in points allowed per game; they're also second and third in turnover margin (+14 to +13).
These teams are very similar, but I give the edge to Baltimore because of the way Ed Reed and their entire defense is playing. I know the Titans have been resting for a few weeks now, but if the past few years have taught us anything, it's that the well-rested and 'completely healthy' team doesn't always come out with the same fire or intensity that it had earlier in the season. But the team that has been playing for its playoff lives and been fighting and clawing each week usually does. Just look at what happened to the Colts.
Jeff Fisher is an outstanding head coach, but I just don't see Collins picking the Ravens' defense apart and leading his team to victory.
Pick: Ravens 20, Titans 16
Cardinals at Panthers
On the other hand, this game is probably the easiest for me to decide on.
Here are the results of the Cardinals' five games on the East Coast:
Week 3 at Washington -- 17-24 Loss
Week 4 at NY Jets -- 35-56 Loss
Week 8 at Carolina -- 23-27 Loss
Week 13 at Philadelphia -- 20-48 Loss
Week 16 at New England -- 7-47 Loss
To summarize, the Cardinals were 0-5 on the East Coast in the regular season and were outscored 202-102. In fact, out of their eight games on the road, the Cardinals were 3-5, with those three wins coming against NFC West opponents: the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.
Interestingly enough, the Cardinals actually looked their best in Carolina. Warner threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns, but their defense couldn't stop Jake Delhomee (248 yards, 2 TD), DeAngelo Williams (108 yards, 1 TD), or Steve Smith (117 yards, 2 TD). If they're going to win this time around, they'll need to slow down the Panthers' rushing attack.
They won't.
Pick: Panthers 34, Cardinals 20
Eagles at Giants
The Eagles, for the most part, can't run the football, but the Giants can.
Brian Westbrook obviously isn't 100 percent, but then again, is he ever? Also, Correll Buckhalter has actually looked pretty good this season. But the Eagles never seem very interested in running the ball, and usually, they're not very good at it either. It's not surprising that in the Eagles' win over the Giants in Week 14, Westbrook ran for 131 yards. It's also not terribly shocking that their leading rusher in their Week 10 loss to the Giants was Donovan McNabb with just 35 yards.
In nine wins this season, the Eagles' leading rusher averaged about 90 yards per game. And in six losses, the Eagles' leading rusher averaged only 46 yards. (Also, in one tie, Westbrook rushed for 60 yards -- seems about right.)
Besides the play of McNabb (300 yards, 1 TD) and Westbrook's 71-yard touchdown off of a screen pass last week, the Eagles gave the Vikings plenty of opportunities to win the game. It's just a shame that Tarvaris Jackson wasn't up to the task -- imagine that.
On the Giants side, their three-headed rushing attack -- Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw -- appears to be healthy. And unlike the Eagles, they are devoted to running the ball at all costs.
Not having Plaxico Burress certainly hurts, as it did the last time the two teams played, but the Giants have had plenty of time to come up with a solid game plan.
The Giants will make the Eagles one-dimensional, and they will win the game.
Pick: Giants 24, Eagles 17
Chargers at Steelers
Darren Sproles, who has been one of my favorite players ever since I played with Kansas State in NCAA Football 2004 and ran the option with Ell Roberson and Sproles, was simply sensational last week in helping will the Chargers to victory. This week, though, the Chargers face a completely different defense -- the number one ranked defense of the Steelers that allows only 13.9 points per game.
If the Chargers are going to win this game, Sproles will need to be all over the field again, rushing for first downs, catching screen passes, and making big plays on special teams. I think he has the ability to do so, but the Steelers, with their raucous home crowd behind them, will be extremely difficult to beat.
The Chargers have a puncher's chance in this one, but I just don't see any way they leave Pittsburgh with a victory.
Pick: Steelers 23, Chargers 13
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