NFL Breakdown - Steelers Offense vs Cowboys Defense

The Steelers Offense Needs To Redeem
Themselves This Sunday...

Its hard to move on from such a terrible performance on Sunday at Heinz Field, but its time to look ahead to the Dallas Cowboys, who are also sporting a 7-6 record and are (like the Steelers) right in the thick of their Conference's playoff scenarios.  This game is going to have HUGE implications for both teams and both teams are headed in drastically different directions.  The Steelers have lost 3 out of their last 4 and the Cowboys have won 4 of their last 5.  Nonetheless, if you follow the NFL you know that on any given Sunday any team can win...today I give you the top 5 story lines as I break down the Steelers Offense vs the Cowboys Defense.

- Offensive Line Alignment This Week? - It seems like a weekly headline amongst the Pittsburgh bloggers and media outlets.  Another lineman goes down and let the circus juggling begin of big men on the offensive line.  This week is just another week and could be just another offensive alignment for the Black n' Gold.  Options at OLine are as follows (from left to right) - Starks, Pouncey, Legursky, Foster, Beachum...OR - Starks, Foster, Pouncey, DeCastro, Beachum.  Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but the main sticking point to this is that the line needs to protect Ben Roethlisberger against a very good pass rush in Dallas.  Demarcus Ware can be a terror to both tackles on the Steelers' roster and needs to be held in check if the Steelers expect to move the ball through the air.  Too often fans get caught up in pass protection and forget that the Steelers' OLine hasn't done well in run blocking for weeks now.  The Steelers need to remain balanced to win this game, and it all starts up front with the big boys.

- Must Start Fast Against Quality Defense - The Dallas Cowboys are a team that is used to playing from behind.  They continually give up big leads and then have to dig and claw their way back to either win, or at least make it a game.  The Steelers haven't had a fast start in a long time in this aging 2012 NFL Season.  This would be a game that the Steelers would benefit if they can get a few good drives early to jump out to a lead.  The Steelers also need the confidence of successful drives to get them started in the right direction.  If you watched the game against the Chargers, after that first series that went 3 and out...the offense never really recovered from that horrid start.  A fast start would be a welcome site to a team that is in desperate need of a big lead.

- NO TURNOVERS - The Steelers have a common thread amongst their 3 losses in their last 4 games...turnovers.  Whether it was the 8 turnover debacle in Cleveland, the INT and fumble at home vs the Ravens, or the lateral pass that was called a fumble and Ben's INT that sealed the game vs the Chargers.  All those turnovers have led to losses for the Steelers.  The last time the Steelers didn't turn the ball over in a game was in their 4 game winning streak earlier this season.  The Steelers need to get on another "roll" like they did earlier this year, and it starts by protecting the football.  Mistake free football is difficult, but the Steelers need to find a way, or they will find a way to watch the playoffs on TV like you and me instead of participating in the tournament.

- Re-visit the 1st Half Offensive Play Calling - Todd Haley has been lambasted on every social media network you can think of.  His play calling has changed,  but alot of that has to be because of the question mark at the most important position on the football field...Quarterback.  The play calling HAD to change with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch behind center, and even last week when it wasn't clear if Ben Roethlisberger was going to be the starter heading into last week and how he would be able to play (make all the throws, etc).  Now that is all settled and its clear #7 is back under center, its time for Todd Haley to re-visit his play calling in the first half of the season when the Steelers were possessing the ball, owning the TOP battle, and putting up fantastic offensive numbers.  The Cowboys defense is good, but can be exposed especially with Heath Miller having such a phenomenal year.  Get the ball out of the man's hands quick and see what happens with those speedy receivers.  This is a redemption game for Todd Haley as a play caller.

- Show The Adjustments Necessary To Win - Something that I've never understood is why certain offensive coordinators are too quick to "stick with the game plan" and not show the necessary adjustments to put their team in the position to win a game.  Todd Haley hasn't been as bad as previous Steelers OC, but something that I think needs to be included this week is more no-huddle in different situations.  I feel that the Steelers would have benefited from going into a no huddle offense much earlier in the game against the Chargers.  Sometimes you can just feel when a game plan isn't working, and with a QB like Roethlisberger, you shouldn't shy away from using the no-huddle.  Lets be honest, this team needs to win their next 3 to GUARANTEE themselves a spot at the party...time to pull out all the stops to get the offense into the endzone.