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Denver 31 Pittsburgh 19

hrcarrier

By hrcarrier
in National Football League (NFL)

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spindoc

spindoc

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Manning looks like he never missed a beat. Denver is a definite playoff contender.

Pittsburgh offensive line actually kept Ben fairly clean, only sacked twice before the game was officially over.

Reading on the Pittsburgh sites they're hanging the loss on Ben's pick6 as if it was a foregone conclusion that they would drive down and score a TD. Ludicrous assumption. But a horrific decision at a crucial time, no doubt.

Missing Harrison virtually negates Woodley. Missing Clark puts Troy back there to have to protect Mundy who is awful at FS. Steelers D looked poor, although some of that has to be accredited to #18 on the other side of the ball.

It's been 3 years and Ziggy Hood, the strongest Steeler other than Harrison, has now taken over the defensive left tackle position that Aaron Smith occupied at a probowl level for so long (although he only made one). If Hood doesn't stop pursuing the ball and maintain gap control to keep the linebackers clean, the Steelers will be mid pack against the run all season.

The offensive linemen for the Steelers are glass houses. Foster leaves because he got poked in the eye. Gilbert leaves with a "sore" right knee. Then they're left with Adams from OSU who is just terrible right now and Legursky who doesn't weigh 300 lbs and is 5'10" at guard. It's amazing that they had a chance to win the game at the end.

 

Bottom line, defensively if the Steelers don't have a healthy Harrison they will stink. He's that integral to that defense when there isn't an adequate backup. The Broncos are for real. In that stadium they'll be a tough opponent for sure.

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spindoc

spindoc

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Doc, do you really think one player, Harrison, is the key to the Steeler D?

Well, yes and no. Without Harrison, they chipped Woodley every play. Either with a back or TE. Can't do that with James on the other side or suffer the consequences. Plus, Harrison sets the edge against the run. You can't crack him, too low and too strong. You can't lead with a FB or trap him for similar reasons. When he's in there, any significant runs are stretch plays the other direction.

 

I think they could have done better with either one of Harrison or Clark in the game. Mundy is average in run support, terrible over the top and poor on a TE or RB in coverage, so who knows what would have been different with Clark in there. The 2 players that the Steelers can't survive without defensively are Harrison or Troy. No replacements are remotely adequate.

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theguru

theguru

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Well, yes and no. Without Harrison, they chipped Woodley every play. Either with a back or TE. Can't do that with James on the other side or suffer the consequences. Plus, Harrison sets the edge against the run. You can't crack him, too low and too strong. You can't lead with a FB or trap him for similar reasons. When he's in there, any significant runs are stretch plays the other direction.

 

I think they could have done better with either one of Harrison or Clark in the game. Mundy is average in run support, terrible over the top and poor on a TE or RB in coverage, so who knows what would have been different with Clark in there. The 2 players that the Steelers can't survive without defensively are Harrison or Troy. No replacements are remotely adequate.

 

Then hopefully when you and I go to the Bengals/Steelers game together James will be our pregame guest for all he can eat and all he can drink...

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