NFL Week 2 Preview - Steelers Defense vs. Jets Offense

Its Time for Lamarr Woodley to GET TO
The QB!

The Steelers vaunted 3-4 defense looked very mediocre against Peyton Manning and the no-huddle offense on Sunday night football when the Steelers lost 31-19 to the Broncos.  However, those fans thinking that the Jets might run some up-tempo themselves, might need to think again.  It isn't the receivers that make the Broncos no huddle so great, its the QB...his name is Peyton Manning if you haven't heard of him before.  Now the Steelers face Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.  Let the breakdown begin:

- Pressuring the QB - The Jets OLine has been under scrutiny the entire preseason, and even led them release an offensive tackle and trade for another from the St. Louis Rams.  The Bills were unable to get to Mark Sanchez in the first week of the regular season, but the Steelers defense is a little more intimidating than the Bills.  With Ryan Clark back in the fold for the black n' gold, I expect to see more pressure being brought, but not just from the LB position.  Think back to the AFC Championship game vs the Jets.  The Steelers were extremely successful with their corner blitzes and bringing pressure from the safety position.  Expect to see more of the same...especially if James Harrison plays (but that is a big IF at this point).

- Preseason Jets vs. Week 1 Jets - The big debate in NY (if you are a Jets fan) is was the Week 1 onslaught of offense a product of the Jets playing well, or the Bills playing that bad?  I think it was a little bit of both.  I predicted the Bills to win considering the Jets looked like a confused group of rookies in the preseason.  They turned the 'on' switch for the regular season, and now people think they are going all the way.  The Steelers defense will be prepared for the Jets offensive attack.  The fact of the matter is that the Jets have an average RB in Greene, and only one above average WR in Santonio Holmes.  The Steelers will have to successfully take away the run to make Sanchez and the Jets one dimensional.

- Week 1 vs Week 2 - The NFL treats the final preseason game as if its a bye for veterans.  In other words, these guys are in no way, shape, or form prepared to play a 4 quarter football game when it comes time for Week 1.  Anyone that has played football before knows you can run on a treadmill, lift all the weights you can, and cross train your heart out, but when it comes to playing the game of football at full speed, there is nothing that can prepare you for that except actually doing it.  The Steelers Defense looked gassed against the no-huddle of Peyton Manning and they were unable to stop him in the second half.  Look for the Steelers to have their "legs" underneath them and prepared to play 4 quarters.

- Turnovers Needed...Please Apply Within - The Steelers feasted on turnovers in the preseason, and actually did get a fumble recovery on Sunday Night Football vs the Broncos.  There were no INTs on the board, except the one Ben threw that went the other way.  The Steelers had their opportunities, but weren't able to cash in on them.  Playing a team like the Jets, if you can get a few early turnovers that lead to TDs...that is a recipe for success.

- Batman and Robin Reunite - I've said it for many years...Ryan Clark is more important to the Steelers defense than anyone can imagine.  Ryan Clark (Robin) is necessary to Troy Polamalu (Batman) being able to do what he does.  Notice that you didn't see Troy running to the line of scrimmage and then sprinting back to his safety position on SNF.  Thats because Clark knows what Troy is doing, and how to cover his rear end until he gets back to his position.  Ryan Clark also plays the run like a LB.  He is fearless as he approaches ball carriers (see his hit on Willis McGahee in the AFC Championship game) and makes the defense better as a whole.  More or less, it will be good to see #25 roaming the secondary on Sunday.

- Don't Let Wildcat Win - Lastly, the Steelers cannot fall into the illusion that when Tim Tebow enters the game he is automatically going to run the ball.  The Jets know what Tebow did vs the Steelers last playoffs, and don't think they won't try to dip into that well again.  I can see Tebow seeing SIGNIFICANT playing time vs the Steelers until the Defense proves that it just isn't working.  Nothing would please me more than to see the Steelers Defense completely shut down Tebow, Sanchez, and the rest of the Jets offense as they walk to a home opener victory at Heinz Field.  Easier said than done, but still very do-able.

Tomorrow (Thursday) I will post my Steelers Offense vs Jets Defense piece and Friday will be the Intangibles.  Look for a podcast Friday that will talk about everything Pittsburgh, as well as a breakdown of the Games of the Week in the NFL.  Be sure to check back early and often for ALL your Pittsburgh Sports needs!