NFL Week 2 Preview - Steelers Offense vs Jets Defense



Emmanuel Sanders Will be Called Upon
To Win his 1 on 1 Matchup vs the Jets D


This matchup might be...who am I kidding...it is the biggest matchup of the game.  Pittsburgh's defense is better on paper than the Jets offense, but the Jets defense is what keeps them afloat.  How will the Steelers' new offensive system stack up against the dreaded Jets D?  Time to break it down:

- Run, Run, Run...OR Slingin' it Around - The Steelers always talk about balance in the offense.  Having an equal amount of runs as they do passes.  However, it doesn't always work as planned, and it certainly always doesn't come out balanced.  The Steelers seemed to spend the first quarter against the Broncos pounding their head against a wall with the running game.  They were hardly gaining ground on the Broncos run defense, but were completing lengthy 3rd downs through the air.  I like a balanced attack, but I also like using what works.  That is what got Bruce Arians fired.  He wouldn't keep doing what he was doing...he would always "stick to the game plan".  Sometimes plans change, and in terms of offense, they NEED to change.

- Jets CBs / Safeties vs Steelers WRs / TEs - The Jets have a phenomenal secondary, but the Steelers have a phenomenal receiving core.  I look for Health Miller to continue where he left off versus the Broncos.  Miller caught some huge passes (including a TD), but when Pittsburgh deploys its 4 WR set, that will leave Heath on a LB, and I LOVE those odds.  Revis will most likely take out anyone he is going against, so it will be up to the others (Emmanuel Sanders and Cotchery) to pick up the slack. 

- Offensive Line Keeping Ben Clean - Ben Roethlisberger was only sacked 2 times in my opinion vs the Broncos.  Sure the last 3 plays he was sacked, but that was garbage time.  When the game mattered the MOST, Ben had the time.  The Jets like to bring exotic blitzes from anywhere on their side of the ball...blitz pickups and correct reads will be crucial to the Steelers offense's success.  I like the Steelers no-huddle to keep the Jets from subbing, and to get them tired to help protect Ben. 

- Which RBs will Play on Sunday - Rashard Mendenhall has completed another full practice, but will the Steelers pull the trigger on the surgically repaired knee?  Isaac Redman might have been passed up on the depth chart by Jonathan Dwyer.  The Steelers could really help themselves at the RB position IF Mendenhall is ready to return.  If not, Dwyer deserves the start being spelled by Redman.  The more I watch Isaac Redman, the more I see a spot player with good blocking skills...not a starting NFL RB.

- Redzone Love, not Lust - The Steelers seem to get into the redzone alot, but more often than not it results in a Suisham FG, not a TD.  That needs to improve against defenses like the Jets.  The Jets aren't going to give alot, so when you get to the redzone, its imperative to walk away with 7, and not just 3.  If the Steelers could have converted the FGs they had in Denver into TDs then it would have been a different game.  Play calling is huge in the redzone, and I get the feeling Haley is still getting used to how to call the game with his new personnel. 

This side of the coin is the one I'm looking forward to the most.  The Steelers should be able to move the ball on ANYONE this year, but that has yet to be scene.  Its going to take a team effort on offense to beat the extremely tough and stingy Jets defense.