2007 Steelers - Week #2: Buffalo Bills

Last Weeks Result

• Pittsburgh 34, Cleveland 7
• Record: 1-0
• Standings: Tied for 1st in AFC North

Last Weeks Game Recap

While most people thought the Steelers would be able to handle the Browns, no one predicted that this game would be as one sided as it was. Was this a function of the Steelers dominating in this game, or more the Browns struggling? While I feel that it was some of both, I think the Browns looked absolutely dreadful. The Browns made too many mistakes to ever have a chance in this game. When they weren’t making mistakes, they just weren’t playing that well.

When the Steelers were on defense, they played just like I thought they would. There were no running lanes for Jamal Lewis. The running game was taken away from the Browns early on because they were behind so quickly, but Lewis only managed 35 yards on 11 carries. The secondary played well, but did let up the most yards to the tight end as I had feared. There seems to be a gap in the Steelers defense that can be exploited by a good tight end and Kellen Winslow is one of the best. The Steelers allowed 6 out of 14 third down conversions, which is probably a bit better than they have done in the past.

On offense, the Steelers were a bit more surprising. The steelers offense scored 4 touchdowns — all of them through the air. Ben’s numbers don’t look that daunting (12-23 for 161 yards), unless you look at the 4 touchdowns to 0 interceptions ratio. How about this number, Ben tossed a touchdown on over 17% of his attempts. Or put another way, nearly 1 time out of 5 drop backs resulted in 6 points. Some of that had to do with the generosity of the Browns, but Ben looked very good. The second touchdown toss to Santonio Holmes was absolute perfection. There was a great variety of passing plays as well. The tight end screen was a new wrinkle and is something that will hopefully be in future game plans.

The Browns played the Steelers to stop the run. Willie Parker struggled to get much going at the first of the game. The Steelers were very balanced early on with mixing in pass and run. While Willie did get over 100 yards, he really didn’t get on track until the passing success spread the Cleveland defense. He also lost a fumble which is a bit worrisome. The offensive line was better than what I thought they would be, but I still think they need to gel. There are 2 new starters on this line and it still seems like they are trying to get to know and trust each other.

Special teams were finally the good kind of special and not the bad kind. Allen Rossum fielded everything cleanly and made great decisions. And our rookie linebacker, who happens to be a punter was outstanding. Coupled with great coverage, there was not any negative on special teams whatsoever.

Game MVP

Charlie Frye? This was really a team effort on the part of the Steelers. I am going to go with Santonio Holmes. He had some rough outings as a rookie, but Ben seems to have a ton of confidence in him now.

Game Rankings

• Offense: B. Some drops by receivers, Willie Parkers fumble and some lapses in the offensive line bring down an otherwise stellar effort.
• Defense: A-. There were some third and longs given up, a long touchdown drive, but overall this unit played lights out.
• Special Teams: A. Again, absolutely perfect in my book.
• Coaching: A. I am sure this won’t always happen, but the play-calling, preperation, and demeanor were as good as I have ever seen.

Next Up: Buffalo Bills

It is hard to talk about this game without thinking about the devastating injury to the Bills Kevin Everett. When you stop and think of the intensity that is associated with this game, it is amazing that injuries such as this are thankfully very few. I am sure at some point, all NFL players have thought about the risk that they are taking, but it must be front and center in the players minds now. While nothing compares to the heart break of this injury, the Bills also lost their first game in heart-breaking fashion, watching an Elam kick sail through the uprights as time expired. The question becomes is how the Bills players respond to these items. Do they come out with something to prove or do these things drag them down.

I have this as a category 1 game. This is a game that the Steelers should win handily. It is the home opener and quite frankly, the Steelers are currently more talented than the Bills. The Broncos struggled with the Bills last week, but they were able to move the ball on them. They just couldn’t finish the drives. Meanwhile, the Bills scores came on a returned punt and one long run. Other than that, they really didn’t move the ball.

I look for the Steelers to be more sucessful with the run on offense at the beginning of the game. I think Ben will continue to try to distribute passes to many players, but I doubt we will see a 4 touchdown game from him again. If the offensive line can improve on their performance from last week, the Steelers will have a very sucessful and balanced attack.

On defense, the Steelers will again stop the run and put it on Losman’s shoulders to win this game. Losman is a better quarterback than anyone that the Browns have on their roster. This could be a much better test for our secondary, but I like their chances.

Final Score Prediction

Pittsburgh 31

Buffalo 17