NFL Breakdown - Steelers Defense vs Redskins Offense

Woodley Almost Killed Jason Campbell...
Just Think if he Gets His Paws on RGIII?!?!

Its Wednesday, which means its time to start breaking down the upcoming Steelers game, and it just happens that the most electrifying Rookie QB since Michael Vick is coming to town.  RGIII and the Washington Redskins are the next team on the schedule, and there are PLENTY of story lines to bring out of this game, but I'm going to focus on what I think are the top 5.  Take a look...

- RGIII is Dangerous - Robert Griffin III (or RGIII or "Bob" as Justin Tuck called him the preseason) has been impressive in the first 7 games of this young NFL season.  Whether it was his welcome party to the NFL in defeating the Saints on the road in Week 1, or having the Redskins in position to win vs the Giants last week until Eli Manning spoiled the party.  What makes RGIII dangerous is that he isn't a running QB like Vick was early in his career, he is a throwing QB that can run like Vick if necessary.  The comparison to Vick isn't really fair to RGIII because I feel he is better now than Vick is right now.  The Steelers have their hands full in trying to contain RGIII.  I have a feeling that RGIII will make his plays whether its running or throwing, but if the defense is to have a goal, its to not let him run the football.  Make him have to throw the ball and keep him in the pocket so he can make a mistake with his arm.  RGIII is averaging over 7yds per clip with his feet, and that is something the Steelers can't let him do.  Duplicate parts of the game plan they had for Vick earlier this year.  Put pressure on him in situations, but don't let him beat you with his legs.  Plain and Simple...RGIII is dangerous and the most dangerous player the Steelers have faced this season to date.

- Dick Lebeau has NEVER Lost to a Rookie QB - Someone on Twitter told me that I just jinxed the Steelers when I posted this on Twitter (follow me - @BnGBlitz).  Honestly, the streak dates back so long I don't think its a matter of a jinx that can throw it off.  RGIII is going to test this streak, but at the same time, Dick Lebeau will have a game plan in place that will hopefully make Mr. Griffin III see things he has never seen before.  If the Steelers can do that and he can't break contain with his legs, that is where the Steelers want the rookie QB.  Coach Lebeau and the defense pride themselves on feeding on rookie QBs, and just because this one is electrifying doesn't mean that this streak should end on Sunday.

- Pressure Isn't Key, CONFUSION Is - Unlike the way the Steelers played Michael Vick this year, they need to take bits and pieces of that game plan and put it in place for RGIII and the Redskins.  The Steelers blitzed like crazy against Vick because they knew he would either throw a hurried pass, hold onto the ball, or get pressured into throwing a wayward pass.  The Steelers would be smart to not send the house every play against the Redskins rookie QB.  Instead, time the blitzes and trust the people behind the blitzers are going to do their job.  I don't feel that pressure is the ultimate key to victory over the Redskins....confusion is.  Dick Lebeau needs to put in some new wrinkles this week that the rookie hasn't seen or had a chance to plan for.  Take James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley and put them standing up in the middle of the defensive formation.  Something along those lines where RGIII won't know if they are blitzing, dropping into coverage, and if they are pressuring...where they are coming from.  Little wrinkles that like can make a big difference for an inexperienced QB, regardless of talent level.

- Stop / Limit the Run - Believe it or not, but the Redskins have more than one player on their team.  They are the best running team in the NFC and have the NFC's leading rusher.  That doesn't bode well for a team that doesn't do a particularly great job at stopping the run.  Just like in games vs other elite rushing attacks, like the Eagles, they won't completely shut down the run but will limit their running attack.  Lesean McCoy only rushed for 50+ yards against the Steelers, and the Steelers Defense always seems to play better at Heinz Field.  Stopping the Redskins running backs are one thing, but the have tons of gimmick players / plays / formations that are tough for a defense to gauge what is going on.  The Redskins will actually run the option/read offense and sometimes out of the pistol formation.  The Steelers typically play well against teams like these, but this is a new defense.  If they can limit the Redskins running attack they will have a good shot at winning this battle.

- Avoid the Big Play - This could come from the running or passing game, but the defense did a great job of this against the Bengals.  The Redskins don't have tons of weapons at WR / TE (especially with Fred Davis getting hurt) but they do have threats to stretch the field.  Santana Moss, Josh Morgan, Pierre Garcon (if he plays) are just a few of the deep threats the Redskins have at their ability.  The Steelers can't give up that Darren McFadden run for a TD, that Demariyus Thomas catch and run for a TD that completely switches the momentum.  It seems simple, but with a defense so focused on the opposition's rookie QB, sometimes other assignments get forgotten or blown.  Limit the big play, keep them "coned in" and the Steelers defense should have a field day on Sunday in the big ketchup bottle.

Did I forget something you would have added in terms of story lines for this matchup between the Steelers Defense and the Redskins Offense?  This site is interactive so leave a comment below letting me know what YOU think about this matchup!