Steelers Offense vs. Broncos Defense



Isaac Redman Should Get Plenty of Carries on SNF


Continuing the trend that I started yesterday with my Steelers Defense vs Broncos Offense, today we flip the switch and cover the opposite side of the football spectrum.  The Steelers bring in a new O.C., have a new starting RB (for now), and have a different feel about them as they face the daunting Broncos defense.  Lets break it down shall we?

- Todd Haley Play Calling - Will it be Mr. Rooney calling the plays or Todd Haley?  Todd Haley was adamant about running the ball in the preseason, but its the pass that will be the Steelers' biggest weapon this year. It will be interesting to see what Todd Haley does when the "bullets" start flying on the big state of SNF.  I think the Steelers take the approach of throwing short and quick passes and mix in the run.  Get them in the box and start taking shots downfield....we'll see if Todd follows my lead or not.

- Big Ben Staying Upright - The Broncos have 2 very good outside pash rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil get to the QB and they do it early and often.  It will be a big job for LT Max Starks and RT Marcus Gilbert to keep those players off of Big Bens back and keep #7 clean.  The quick passing game could help alleviate some of the pressure on Ben, but all Steelers fans know the 7-step drop and downfield pass will be coming sooner or later...its just a matter of can Ben have time to deliver the ball downfield to Wallace and Brown.

- Running Game Production - Even though in the first bullet I said that the Steelers should rely on the pass doesn't mean that I don't think they shouldn't run the ball.  Isaac Redman (if healthy) should get the brunt of the carries along with Jonathan Dwyer.  The Steelers OLine needs to get the push necessary to get the needed yards.  In the past Bruce Arians was known for throwing on 2nd and 2.  I'd like to see the Steelers have the ability to run it right up the gut to get the needed yards to get a fresh set of downs and keep the Steelers defense off the field.  I look for Redman to lead the game with about 80yds rushing and Dwyer to account for about 40.  As a tandem, they would be over 100 yds with a TD or two.

- Veterans Time to Step Up - The Steelers are loaded with young talent on their roster.  Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, Maurkice Pouncey, Chris Rainey, and even Rashard Mendenhall.  I look for some of these players to contribute, but its those wily old veterans that usually step up in big games.  I look for players like Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, and Jerricho Cotchery to really have a solid game and propel the Steelers to a victory.  These veterans are the type of players that know how to find the soft spots in the zone defense, as well as how to read the opposition better than younger players.  Starting the year on the big stage of SNF often helps those veterans with experience under their belts.

- Be Prepared for Anything - This could have gone under the first bullet, but it deserves it's own.  I believe that Todd  Haley has alot up his sleeve.  He has shown glimpses of what this offense could be and how prolific it could be at the same time.  I think back to the Colts game when the ran the bunch formation with Rainey in the backfield and did a fake lead play to the right only to have Rainey counter back in the opposite direction.  I look for some reverses to be in the game plan and some unique / funky plays that will be tough for defenses to prepare for.  You want to double Mike Wallace, the Steelers have #84 and #88 to pick you apart underneath.  Pick your poison.