NFL Breakdown - Steelers Offense vs Redskins Defense

Big Ben & the Dangerous Steelers Offense
Return to Heinz Field this S

Although this matchup between the Steelers offense vs the Redskins defense isn't as flashy as the RGIII vs the SteelCurtain matchup, that doesn't mean it isn't worth talking about.  So, without hesitation...here is the breakdown of the Steelers O vs the Redskins D.  My top 5 story lines are:

- Ben Has a Chip On His Shoulder - This wasn't even on my list of story lines as early as yesterday, but it made it today.  While eating my lunch I logged onto Steelers.com and was watching some of the typical Wednesday / Thursday player interviews.  Big Ben is my favorite Steeler so I watched his first and was shocked with the sarcasm he used towards Redskins QB RGIII.  Ben stated he thought Mr. Griffin should be the President of the USA...not just the QB of the team in the nation's capital.  Ben even went as far as to say how "great" he is and how he "is the best ever".  Some heavy sarcasm from the Steelers QB, but if you've followed this team for any length of time you know that Ben is a guy who doesn't like to be the backpage story.  Some say thats why he sometimes over exaggerates certain injuries.  Nonetheless, the talk this week hasn't been Big Ben and the Steelers, its been RGIII and the 'Skins coming to Pittsburgh.  Don't think Ben doesn't want to prove who is the rookie and who is the QB with 2 Superbowl rings under his belt.  This is a type of game where Ben wants to prove something, and that is a good thing for Steeler Fans and the Steelers in general.

- Steelers WR vs Redskins Secondary - This is the biggest matchup of the day when it pertains to these two teams.  Similar to RGIII vs the Steelers D, the Steelers WR core vs the 'Skins secondary is the matchup to watch.  The Redskins are allowing a shocking 328yds/game through the air.  That horrible statistic ranks them dead last in the NFL (32nd) in opposing passing yards allowed.  I wrote an article yesterday about how the Steelers are going through a change and are becoming a passing team.  This is a team that can really burn the Redskins and their shoddy (to put it mildly) secondary.  Look for Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace (if he can catch the ball), Emmanuel Sanders, and Heath Miller to ALL have solid games against the Redskins.  The Steelers have too many weapons in the passing game for a secondary as bad as the Redskins to actually cover them all. 

- OLine Keep Up the Good Work - The passing attack has been successful for several reasons...great WRs, outstanding QB, but the main reason is that the OLine has kept Ben upright and clean.  Ben isn't scrambling for his life like we are used to seeing.  The Offensive Line is slowly becoming a strength of this Steelers team.  The Redskins front is great at stopping the run, and even without Bryan Orakpo the Redskins are capable of putting pressure on the QB.  The 'Skins D is also pretty stout at stopping the run.  They are only allowing 85yds/game on the ground which ranks them 7th in the NFL in that category.  The Bengals game had the OLine opening up HUGE holes for the RBs and giving Ben plenty of time to operate.  If they can keep up the good work, it could be a long day for the 'Skins defense.

- Near Full Arsenal at RB - The Steelers waves of injuries seem to trend just like a wave.  They get healthy, then they  become depleted the very next week.  Well, the Steelers RB situation is looking better...for now.  It is looking like Rashard Mendenhall is going to be available along with Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch, and Chris Rainey.  Isaac Redman still doesn't look like he is going to be able to go on Sunday, but in my opinion that is okay.  Give Jonathan Dwyer the start vs the 'skins and sprinkle some of the other backs in there...Dwyer earned that start with his play vs the Bengals.  This full arsenal is something the Steelers haven't had this entire season.  I like the way Todd Haley is finally using Chris Rainey in other situations besides gimmick plays....that will open him up in space.  As you watched the game vs the Bengals it was obvious when Rainey was in the game the Bengals' safeties had to play two deep instead of crowding the line of scrimmage.  That opened up running lanes and also gave Ben more space to eat away at the defense.  Look for Todd Haley to use that similar equation to move the ball against the 'Skins D.

- Get Ready For the Air Show - I can't say this enough, but the Steelers are now a passing team, and thats OKAY!  I just want the Steelers fans out there to be ready for the Air Show coming to Heinz Field on Sunday.  There is a good chance that the Steelers go deep, go intermediate, and go short with their passes to work on this Redskins defense.  I'm completely okay with it as long as our WRs are catching the ball and making plays.  Don't think the Steelers won't run the ball, because they will open up the run with the pass...just like they did against the Bengals.  Those intermediate passes eventually soften up a defense which allows the running lanes to open up.  The Air Show that is the Steelers' offense is coming...but will the Redskins be ready for it?

Enough talk about all of this stuff....is it game time yet?  Do you think my assessment of this battle was spot on, or way off?  Did I miss something?  If so, this is an interactive site...leave a comment below yinz jagoffs!