Miami (my take)

I haven't watched a lot of their games but I have seen some of their players (with their previous teams) and looking at the stats this year, there are some telling things.

they beat:
NE, Ravens and the Bills then lost 3 straight to the Bungles, Jets and Vikes! The injury bug obviously took them over with the whole concussion protocol issues surrounding their QB Tua T. and a few other dings (similar to us and many other teams).

Key injuries:
Miami has; two OL, WR Waddle and a DL all listed as questionable.

Their three losses they had were all with back up QBs (Bridgewater and Thompson). Tua threw 6 TDs/ 2 Ints vs the Ratbirds (42-38 win) but that was on 50 pass attempts! They only ran the ball 18 total times that game?! They also had a 28 point 4th Q!!! Tua has not really gotten outside and ran much and I doubt that will change with all of the concussion issues lately. I'm really surprised that Tyreek Hill hasn't scored more TDs this season (2 TDs I think) but he still is their biggest threat on offense. The RB Motsert kid is explosive and gets chunk yardage (did the same in SF) and if WR Waddle plays, he is a threat (I think even more now with TH in the lineup). Don't know much about their individual defenders but they do allow teams to convert on 3rd downs more than their offense converts (huge stat- by about 6%). They also allow more yds per carry and more rushing yardage than what they gain on offense (but they do throw more than most teams versus running the ball). I'm not a huge stat guy but 3rd down conversions and turnover margins are both big indicators of successful teams. They are -5 in TO margin.

One unknown guy to watch out for: WR River Cracraft (he played at Wash. St.) so I am very familiar with him. He is very slippery and a great slot type guy. He has a great catch radius and rarely/never drops the ball. Very quick, smart, shifty and great hands. Weaknesses: small, not a linear speed guy. Get hands on him off the LOS and be physical! He could be a guy the Steelers might literally overlook!

Thoughts on the game:
Steelers have struggled running the football but should still try and establish the run early and often. My hope is that they get the horizontal running game going as well (fly sweep, around, reverse, etc). This will also set up good playaction looks downfield as well. Hopefully Pickens gets more targets this game. Need manageable 3rd downs and convert often. Go with what works and use the hot hand! Sounds easy but the Steelers have struggled on offense this season and it almost feels as if they have too many cooks in the kitchen (which using different personnel is great) but when a guy is killin it (Pickens, Claypool, etc) get him the football! This one might be kind of ugly at times. Miami is going to force the Steelers to pressure the QB and keep their receivers in check! While the Steelers while try and grind the ball out on the ground and try to hit passing plays when available. I'm hoping the Steelers hit those hitches, bubbles, outs and slants a little more rather than trying to go; fade, seam, post too much. I'm seeing a game in the late teens/ early 20s score (like a 17-24 range). Hopefully it doesn't get too ugly. Steelers have a good chance to win this if.....

Keys:
*Win TO battle
*Win 3rd downs on O and D
*Get pressure on the QB and get at least 2-3 sacks
*Take what they give you (if the big play is there, take it. If not, take the 10-12 play drive)

The last one sounds easy but it can be a struggle if your QB cannot get a good pre-snap read to see what could be open versus what is not. Checking into and out of plays is an important skill that the best QBs in the league can do. Honestly, it might be the biggest difference! And of course, that also means that the O Coordinator needs to trust in the QB to make these changes when needed.

Go Steelers!

Your thoughts?

 

If we lose season over, if we win season over. Let’s go!

 

We are going to win tonight we broke the TJ loss streak now full steam ahead STEELERS time to go fishing sacking scoring ints go Minka go Flores payback time and keep Claypool dont just get rid of him like the pirates rebuilding ,Forever,

 

If we can win tonight because Tua is rusty and off we could get to the bye 3-5. After that it would be up to TJ coming back or not that would determine if we could hang around longer. A loss tonight basically ends the season.

 

Disagree. 17 weeks and now an extra team gets into the post season.

 

They better have a solid game plan to limit Tyreek Hill.

 

You can bet if the Steelers get close to Tua the refs will throw a flag. Steelers lose a close one they never play well in Miami.

 

I think it's past somebody's bedtime.

 

I disagree that you disagree

 

It’s highly unlikely we beat Phili in Phili I mean come on. If we are 2-6 the odds of us going 7-2 down the stretch with this roster is 0.00000000001%

 

Well, uh, season is not over if we win.

 

Well I disagree that you disagree...... well you know where's it's going.

By the way my costume last night was I'm the dude, playing the dude disguessed as a dude.
.... i was Deadpool mask. with binx fun hocus pocus


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