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He has to learn to catch the damn ball, but I'm 99% sure he'll see a lot of snaps against Cincinnati anyway. Even if he's only targeted 2-3 times, he's gone ape against the Bengals in the past and they are going to have to account for him on the field with more than one defender. His presence alone will open some things up.
Yes but from what I've read the injury is not considered serious. He was also sick with the flu last week too.
I'm guessing DW sits this week and is ready to go in Denver if the Steelers win. The game is going to be on Ben's shoulders and I'm about 50/50 on whether or not he's up for the task. Hopefully Fitz is decent at picking up blitzes and has some ability to catch. I don't anticipate the Steelers having any semblance of a running game (with or without DW).
I don't think you are overestimating his importance at all. We saw last what happened last year in the playoffs when the Steelers had no credible running back and it wasn't pretty.
I think you're underestimating the difference between Dalton and McCarron. From a Bengals perspective, if the Bengals win the D will have to shut it down.I get what you're saying about DWill, but the difference between missing a RB and missing your QB is a lot.
Good point though after seeing Ryan Mallet put up 275 yards for a 95% passer rating against the Steelers defense ANY quarterback looks scary.
Not good. Not good at all. Bengals were already good at masking coverages and baiting Roethlisberger into throwing picks, now they can commit more defenders to the pass and will likely be able to put the Steelers' offense into positions where Ben is going to force the action. We all know what happens when that's the case.
Normally I would say starting QB but this situation is a little different. McCarron has been the starting QB for weeks now and we all know Dalton's record in the playoffs. The Steelers have big question marks at RB -- neither has ever started an NFL game and have little experience even as backups. It is really impossible to know how these guys are going to do.
Scoring early would certainly be a help. One of these years we might be able to go into a playoff game with LeVeon Bell and Maurkice Pouncey on the field.
I honestly believe it is in this case, as odd as that may sound. This is much worse than losing Le'Veon - at least when he went down, we had a capable veteran backup ready to take the reins. Now, we're left with a situation not entirely unlike going into the playoffs last year with Ben Tate, Josh Harris, and Dri Archer back there. If Dalton has gotten hurt in last week's game and it was to be McCarron's first start, then that would be a different story. But McCarron has a few starts under his belt now and the numbers comparing him and Dalton this season aren't as lopsided as you think :
Steelers definitely need to get out front early and put the pressure on McCarron. They also need to win the turnover battle. I know this goes without saying in general, but I think it's particularly important tomorrow. If the Steelers turn the ball over 2-3 times and fail to match with takeaways, we're going to lose and maybe by a substantial margin. Ben needs to be sharp and I totally agree - Martavis is HUGE in this game. The Bengals are going to roll coverage to AB, they'd be moronic not to. Martavis needs to make that over-the-shoulder catch and needs to be able to get his feet down on the sideline. He needs to be able to pull the 50/50 ball in when the defender gets a hand on it.
I think the bolded is the key. In the past 5 playoff games, the Steelers have turned the ball over 11 times. If they turn the ball over more than once, I don't like their chances. Ben really needs to step up his play.
I hope so. He should be open a lot - the Bengals seem petrified of Martavis after that monster catch and run he had against them last year. they tend to mark him very closely, so it SHOULD open things up for Heath and Wheaton.
If he plays like he has his past few times in the playoffs, we are toast. It's been a while since he's stepped up in the playoffs. McCarron scares me more than Dalton. That dude is brimming with confidence. I'm not having a very good feeling about this game anymore. We really needed Deangelo to keep the Bengals D honest.
Less than enthused.
I don't think Ben can win this one on his own. He will just end up forcing way too many plays and making critical mistakes. I've been re-watching a lot of his recent playoff games and it hasn't been pretty. If this trio of RBs can't keep the Bengals D honest, the Steelers are doomed. The defense also needs to cause 1 or 2 turnovers.
Very true , but blitz pick up too. Just keep it at positive gains at least.
KC earned that right though. They have been great since the early part of the season. im just glad we avoid playing them until the AFC championship game (should we be so fortunate)
Disagree that this would be the toughest game to the SuperBowl. I'm not at all confident but I would be even less confident going up against Denver, KC or NE. Now if Deangelo returns healthy, I think we can get through anyone in the AFC. I hate to keep saying this but Ben is my biggest concern tonight.
BigSteelThrill said:
With 2 minutes left in the first half... defense is balling! FULL 60 boyz!
