Week 1 NFL Analysis - Steelers Offense vs. Titans Defense

Big Ben & Co. - Time to Step It Up!

Yesterday I covered the Steelers Defense against the Titans Offense.  Now its time to break down the Steelers' Offense vs. the Titans Defense.  This is a matchup that is more difficult to break down simply because the Steelers offense is the big question mark with this team, and the Titans defense welcomes in newly acquired defensive coordinator Greg Williams to get their defense on the right track.  Even with all the question marks, I will break this thing down as best as I know how, and let you know who has the advantage in this battle. 

- Offensive Line Can't Be Offensive - The Steelers offensive line has been the source of discussion, both positive and negative...okay just negative...this preseason.  Its time for this unit to "put up or shut up".  Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger, and the OLine themselves have been very confident in this group.  Its time for "this group" to actually go out and make SteelerNation confident in their ability.  I wrote this in a previous article, and I stand by my words...I don't think this OLine will have difficulty with run blocking, especially with the new "Zone" blocking scheme.  Pass blocking is where the Steelers and Todd Haley will have to get creative with pass protection to keep Greg Williams' exotic and confusing blitzes away from Big Ben. 

- Run, Redman (or Larod Stephens Howling or Felix Jones, or Will Johnson), Run - I really don't care who is at RB on Sunday.  It shouldn't matter.  Whoever is back there has to get the tough yards, move the chains, and make plays when they present themselves.  The one huge aspect of the RB position this Sunday is two-fold.  First, in blitz pick up and blocking.  Fans should know that the Titans are going to bring the heat early and often in an attempt to get Roethlisberger on the ground and eliminate his play making ability.  Its up to the RBs to make the correct reads on blitz pickups and to keep those free runners away from #7.  The other aspect of the RB position is that the RBs need to be that safety valve for Big Ben when things break down in the passing game.  Not only get open, but catch the damn pigskin!  The Steelers are the worst screen / draw team in the NFL, but with the speed they possess in the backfield getting a swing pass to a RB in space could go for big yardage.  RBs will play a hug role for the Steelers this week.

- Let the Speed Run Wild - Even without Mike Wallace, the Steelers have some of the fastest WRs in the NFL.  Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Rookie Markus Wheaton can all fly...well not literally fly...but run really fast.  Steelers fans know that Todd Haley loves to throw those quick hitter passes and let the WRs make plays after the catch.  Look for that to continue, but don't think the Steelers won't take their shots down the field.  Those intermediate routes will eventually open up double moves and hopefully big plays for the Steelers passing game.  Don't get me wrong, you can't replace "Mike Wallace Speed", but you can creatively find ways to get deep and the Steelers have done that in the preseason...now its time to get the job done when the games actually count.

- For the Love of God, No STUPIDITY - Nothing angers me more than a big play being called back because of a penalty, a ridiculous fumble, a moronic interception, or a flag after the play.  The Steelers were highly penalized in the preseason, and that concerns me more than anything else that I've discussed in this article.  I know that a lot of those culprits that committed penalties are looking for employment now, but some are still wearing the Steelers helmet.  The mental mistakes will kill any team, and that is true for the Steelers as well.  Its hard enough beating another NFL team, its even harder to do that while also battling your own idiotic mistakes. 

- Control the Clock and Field Position -  This will be discussed more tomorrow when I break down the "intangibles" for this game, but the Steelers need to control the clock and the field position.  Too often times last year the Steelers defense would get a stop and the Steelers offense would literally give the football right back and the field position battle would be flipped immediately.  The Steelers are great at the dink and dunk and consuming clock, but if those long time consuming drives don't result in TDs...the team is vulnerable.  Control the clock, manage your field position, and you are already giving yourself (and your defense) the upper hand in this matchup.

Advantage - Pittsburgh Steelers - This is difficult because there are a lot of question marks with the Steelers offense, but could someone please name me 4 players on the Titans Defense that are considered "disruptive"?  I know Mike Tomlin makes them sound like the '85 Bears, but lets me honest...the Steelers have more talent on offense.  Hence why they get the nod here.

- Be sure to check back tomorrow where I analyze the "Intangibles" of this game and give you my prediction...