2007 Steelers - Week #11 New York Jets

Last Weeks Result

• Pittsburgh 31, Cleveland 28
• Record: 7-2
• Standings: Sole possession of 1st in AFC North

Last Weeks Game Recap

This game was decidedly different than the week one blow out by the Steelers at Cleveland. In fact, this game was nearly opposite of the first meeting between these two teams. Last time the Steelers jumped out to a big lead and Cleveland simply could not come back from their mistakes. This time, the Browns played very well on defense and got some good field position by turn-overs and kick-off returns of which they took full advantage.

Looking back at week one, midway through the second quarter, the Browns were down by 17 and really hadn’t moved the ball well at all. This point also marked the start of the Derek Anderson era in Cleveland. Anderson came in and for the first time in that game, the Cleveland offense actually started to put together a drive. However, this was stopped by a fumble and the Browns were never able to make a game out of it. The final score showed a blow out.

Fast forward to week #10 at Pittsburgh. Midway through the second quarter, the Browns put up their third touchdown of the half — a 20-yard drive after a Roethlisberger interception at the Steelers 20. The Steelers were down by 15 points and while they had been able to drive on the Browns, they were struggling in the redzone. The Browns drove the field on their first score and then made the Steelers pay dearly for a long kick-off return (to the Steelers 3-yard line) and the afore mentioned interception. However, the Steelers were able to come out in the second half and shut the offense of the Browns down cold. The Browns did not get a first down in the second half until less than a minute was left in the game. Their only score came on a kick-off return. Inversely, the Steelers offense overcame sacks and penalties to convert critical 3rd downs in the game. In addition, they finally were able to stick it in the endzone and not settle for field goals. Even after the special teams melt down for the 100-yard touchdown, the offense did not give up and was able to win this game.

This was definitely a mettle game and it was nice to see the Steelers win a close game. Their wins have generally been by a large margin and they have lost the close games. The Steelers offense was effective all game long in driving the field. They simply could not get it in the endzone in the first half, but luckily were able to correct that in the second half. While the defensive line for the Browns is less than spectacular, the Steelers offensive line really seemed to be sound this game. They have seemed to be playing better as a unit as of late and hopefully that can continue.

The defense was fairly stout. They struggled in the first half keeping the Browns out of the endzone, but again really played well in the second half. The come back for the Steelers was an entire group effort… except for the special teams. The coverage teams on kick off returns was absolutely dreadful in this game. Two touchdowns can be directly attributed to this unit. Cribbs is an outstanding returner and I don’t want to take anything away from his talents, but in replays you can see Pittsburgh players standing flat footed. There was an overall lack of effort on the coverage teams and this absolutely has to be rectified.

Cleveland’s offense has really come together as the year progresses. Anderson is fearless and has full confidence in his receivers. If you can step back from being a Steelers fan (which I can’t), this was actually a fun game to watch. The Browns were really well prepared for this game and came to play.

Game MVP

Ben Roethlisberger - There are a lot of choices on offense, but it is hard not to put Roethlisberger here for a second week in a row. He led this team to the come back. He has really stepped up as a leader this year and not just in words. You could almost sense his will driving the entire team at the end of the game.

I was tempted to put Romeo Crennel here as well. His review at the end of the game on the Miller touchdown was questionable. Calling a time-out before the review was one of the strangest calls I have seen and it really put the Browns in a much tougher position.

Game Grades

• Offense: B+ - The first half was pretty meager. Three trips to the road zone and only 9 points, plus the interception. The second half was absolutely outstanding though.
• Defense: B - The defense overall played well in keeping the Browns to 163 net yards for the game. However, there were two things that disturbed me. Allowing touchdowns on the short field and the last drive by the Browns.
• Special Teams: F - Absolutely woeful. They did everything they could to loose this game. They should buy the rest of the team dinner this entire week.
• Coaching Staff: B- - This team is talented and for the most part the coaching is sound. However, the special teams problems have to be solved. Pittsburgh will not win against good teams with the special teams play that we have seen to date.
• Overall: C - Kind of brutal for a win, but the Steelers were lucky to get this win against a team that is not as talented across the board as they are.

Season (Composite) Grades

• Offense: - B-
• Defense: - B-
• Special Teams: - C+
  
• Coaching Staff: -B-
• Overall: -B-

Next Up: At New York Jets

This New York Jets game starts a 3-game stretch of supposedly “easy” games for the Steelers. My take is that there are no easy games in the NFL and you have to earn every win. The Jets were a play-off team last year that suddenly has struggled to win games. The only team that really clobbered them was the New England Patriots in the first game of the season. Their other losses have been much closer, the last being a 3-point decision against the Redskins two weeks ago. The Jets are coming off their bye-week and have had a full two weeks to prepare for the Steelers.

All that being said, and with no disrespect to the Jets, this is a game that the Steelers should win quite easily. On offense, I really like the Steelers running game matched up against the Jets defense. The Jets rank dead last in rushing yards given up per game. Usually I feel that the coaches should do the unexpected, but not this week. I really would like to see a prominent power running game from the Steelers. I think there is enough evidence that Ben can and will pass effectively against teams that the Jets will play more straight up on defense and not stack the line against the run to the degree that has been seen by the other teams.

On defense I would like to see the Steelers blitz a little more aggressively than in some other games. I think with some of the exotic zone blitz schemes that the Steelers can put together, that they can befuddle Kellen Clemens and either get to him or bait him into making a mistake. The Jets will try to run in order to slow down the blitz, but as usual, the run defense will take care of itself. I expect for the Steelers to bring pressure as soon as they get off the bus.

On special teams, I would like to see the Steelers kick every kick-off out of bounds. It would be better to allow a team to start from the 40, than to see your confused and befuddled coverage teams standing flat-footed while Leon Washington is jogging into the endzone. Obviously the Steelers won’t do that, but Leon Washington has got to be licking his chops watching these coverage teams. It is the one facet of the Jets team that is worrisome.

If turn-overs or shoddy special teams play does not surface in this game for the Steelers, they will win. They are more talented, more confident and more cohesive than the Jets.

Final Score Prediction

Pittsburgh 24

New York Jets 10