Steelers vs Redskins - Quick Hitters

Ben Roethlisberger Led the Bumble Bees to
Their 1st Back to Back Wins this Season

Did you really think that I wasn't going to give you my thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Redskins game?!  You know that I'm going to give you that!  Enough talk...time for the Quick Hitters after the Steelers big win over the Redskins.

- Statement Game - I devoted an entire post about this yesterday, and the Steelers answered the bell.  In that article I wrote how it is important to the team, the fans, and the other NFL teams that the Steelers go out on their home turf and put it to the Redskins and RGIII.  The Black n Gold did just that.  Their ability to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides was impressive.  I thought they'd win (I predicted Steelers win 37-31) but I didn't see such a dominating performance happening.  If this was truly a statement game, then the Steelers made a pretty strong statement.  The AFC and AFC North is now on notice.

- Offense Groovin' It - Before the season started everyone (including myself) saw this Steelers offense being powerful through the air, but weaker on the ground.  The Offensive Line wasn't that dominant and the team seemed built to throw the ball.  However, after 7 games, the Steelers look more balanced than ever.  When Ben Roethlisberger can throw for 200+yds with 3 TDs and Jonathan Dwyer can rush for 100+yds for the second straight game...that is balance personified.  To me, that credit goes to the Offensive Line, but remember, playmakers make plays and everyone had a hand in the win vs the Redskins.  Antonio Brown, Wallace, and Emmanuel Sanders all had GREAT catches to continue drives.  Dwyer and Rainey contributed, and Ben and Heath seem to be playing unconscious football.  All lead to the Offense GROOVIN' it right now.

- Defense Not Flashy but Effective - Dick Lebeau did something NO ONE expected.  He through out the most vanilla defense the Steelers have...and it WORKED!  There weren't many elaborate blitzes, schemes, or confusion tactics.  Could that be due to the fact that the Steelers are so banged up at safety?  Maybe, but regardless this defense isn't flashy, but they sure are effective.  They are getting off the field on 3rd down, and maybe a little "bend but don't break" style.  However, when they give up drives they are holding teams to FGs and not TDs.  With the Steelers' offense clicking like it is...holding teams to 3 instead of 7 could be the difference in a game.  I applaud the defense for their containing RGIII and the Redskins' running game.  The Steelers defense isn't as good as they once were, but they are still a REALLY good defense. 

- Special Teams Improvement - Listen, I know another Antonio Brown punt return for a TD was called back due to a penalty, but there is more to it than that.  The Steelers kicking game is much improved as Suisham and Butler continue to be solid this season.  The return game was improved (even though that one gaffe called back a big play).  Special teams can be a big part of winning and losing games, and all I'm saying is they are heading in the right direction instead of backwards.

- Coaching is Working - Think back to the Philadelphia Eagles game this season...what were the biggest complaints about the coaching staff? "The defense is giving up too much yardage!" "The play calling is awful!" "Tomlin has lost control of the team...the penalties are ridiculous!" - Those were the big 3 if you ask me.  I must say that this coaching staff is special.  Dick Lebeau being a Hall of Famer is often overstated, but he went into the defensive meeting room and said that this thing needs to change.  They aren't banging their head against the wall.  They have changed and the changes are working.  Offensively, Todd Haley has this team balanced.  He talked about having to run the football when necessary and that is what the Steelers are doing.  Todd Haley's play calling has been unique at times, but different enough to keep defenses on their toes.  Mike Tomlin is a phenomenal coach.  If ANYONE thinks he has lost his locker room doesn't know much about coaching.  You watch the players and how they've avoided the penalties the last few weeks and how they've stuck together through the rough stretch to start the season.  Tomlin is the engine of the machine and he knows how to get the team going.  The Coaching staff of the Steelers is possibly the best in the NFL.

- Mike Wallace Didn't Drop a Football - He didn't drop a pass!  Thats it...I just couldn't believe it.  Emmanuel Sanders did have a big drop, but that was the only drop from a WR in the Redskins game.  Congratulations Mike Wallace...for DOING YOUR JOB!

- Redskins Can't Blame Drops - Speaking of drops, the Redskins couldn't catch a cold yesterday.  I will say this though...watch the highlights or the film and you'll see the Redskins that were forced into alot of their drops.  When a receiver catches a pass and gets tattooed from behind and the ball is dropped, that isn't just a drop, but a forced drop.  Thats not an official category, but I'm going to call it that anyways!  Forced drops lead to WRs looking over their shoulders and "gator arming" passes over the middle.  Trust me, I realize the 'Skins left some plays on the field, but don't think the Steelers defense got lucky or didn't have anything to do with it because they did. 

- Stacking Wins - The Steelers wanted to stack wins together, and they did just that.  However, they have the toughest road game on their schedule to date coming up next when they travel to the NY Giants next week.  The Steelers want to be legitimate contenders?  Then they go into the New Meadowlands and put a beating on the Superbowl champs.  Don't think the Steelers can't wait to get out there and try to make it three wins in a row.  Next week's game is going to be a HUGE game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

- Baltimore Starting to Sweat - With the Steelers' victory over the Redskins the Steelers are just one game out of 1st place behind the Baltimore Ravens.  Don't think the Ravens weren't on their bye week praying the Steelers lose against RGIII and the Redskins, but that didn't happen.  The Ravens now have to deal with the Steelers breathing down their necks with the two teams playing each other twice still on the schedule in 3 weeks.  Surprise here...the division will come down to those two games between the Steelers and Ravens.  One team is on the up swing (Steelers) while the other's stock is dropping fast (Ravens).  Should be an interesting few weeks.