This Will Likely Be A Factor

Given the strong defenses and weaker offenses I expect that there will be at least a couple of decisions needing to be made vs the Texans. I hope they are better than a tush push on 4th and 2. Texans look to be even more conservative but I suppose that it's the "put it in the hands of the defense" for them.

4th Down Decisions

 

The book on the Steelers is, we need to win the turnover battle in order to beat good teams.

 

In their losses against playoff teams this year they were +4.

 

Something like 12-9 Steelers wouldn't bother me one bit

 

2-0 Steelers will work as well. I would prefer a game though. Back and forth, ebb and flow. Maybe a few lead changes. Then the Steelers win. That would be my favorite. But a win is a win.

 

My entire football life, coaches have always hammered home that turnovers and penalties lose games. If there are turnovers, you want to be on the take away side of those. The job of our defense is to stop the opposing offense and give the ball back to our offense, whether by 3rd down stop and forcing a punt, or by taking the ball away.

 

Ok.. I played football in grade school for 5 years, im not even AL Bundy but I woke up this morning fired up for this game.
Then I realized football is a game of controlling your emotions and thinking and of course talent. I miss Bill Cowher. Anyways, this time of the year coaching does matter and we need TJ Watt and Cam Heyward to be legends . They have to play with their hair on fire to spark the rest of the team.
Let's Go!!

 

Hope you can hold onto that enthusiasm all the way through Monday!

 

I'd have no problem with a huge Steeler blow out. A back and forth game would be fun for NFL fans who don't care who wins. Back and forth game, which I'm expecting, will take a few years off life

As for every other Playoff game I want it to come down to the wire.

 

Exactly.
It's also about timing.
Monday nights in Pittsburgh seem to be on our favor but the past means nothing. .its what you do in the present.

 

Coaches know when to eat and rest the players during a long day before 8pm kickoff.
Rookie coaches are guessing. .
Our 18 year old coach guesses during the regular season alot. .
I like this game because it s at home. . Without the home field advantage the Steelers are toast.

 

I eat rested wheat toast

 

You will be waiting along time for a Steeler blowout especially under MT

 

Plot of Steelers scores for each game vs the final defensive scoring rank of the opponent. Follows an expected trend except for 3 weird games.

If the Steelers play their 'normal' game, expect them to score 14 points in this game vs the #2 scoring defense.

Question is, will that be enough?

 

For this year,I think this is the Broncos

 

I watched all the playoff games this weekend, I saw a lot of teams go on 4th and less than 3 yards. Most threw to obtain the 1st down with a run/pass option. A few QB sneaked but had young, big QBs (Eagles, Chargers, Bills and Bears). To win this game we can not get behind the sticks and we need a better short yardage game then Heyward. WRs need separation and we will need to roll the dice on some 4th and 3-4 yards.

 

Need the Defensive Line / Pass Rush to show up here and make life really uncomfortable for Stroud. Probably need at least two big plays that lead to scores from the D/ST because the offence won’t be good enough to move the ball and score on that Texans D

I think we have a punchers chance, especially since the game is in Pittsburgh. Agree that the game plan is likely to be conservative, as it has been all season. Get the ball out quickly and try to get YAC. Texans are a very good tackling team however. I think we could really struggle to move the ball, lots of frustration and three and outs.

 

The Steelers will need a game similar to what San Fran did last night. They'll need 4 or 5 big plays for either TDs or big chunks of yardage and for the defense to hold up and force the Texans into long drives for points, hopefully, FGs rather than TDs. I don't see the Steelers scoring more than 17.

 

I got a better plan just don't go for it on fourth down unless they're behind with under 2 minutes to go. If we're in FG range then kick the FG. If we're not then punt it. This game is going to be an ugly rock fight. Points will be at a premium, if we have a chance for 3 points then we better take it. Taking risks against the Texans defense will lose the game in a hurry.

 

Same as Bears tv guys were saying.

 

It be nice to see Rodgers with a career type game.
4-5 TD passes.