Steelers' game plan vs. Patriots in 2011 game

I watched this game again last night (I know I am twisted in the head that way. I tape a few games to watch during the offseason).

As much as I could not stand Bruce Arians, and his play calling, that was the best game plan he had ever created.

Why? and why on earth can't we have some more of this offense in the near future? Quick slants, no huddles, throwing to Miller over the middle on a 3 step drop back...

Please discuss

 

Well, that game was amazing, and not trying to throw water on your main post, but teams threw all over the Patriots all year long so that's part of it. Their DB's just couldn't stay anywhere near our receivers, but it was nice to see Heath get involved.

Lebeau had a masterful game plan. I've said for years I hate when we play the Pats because their scheme just kills our base 3-4, and I'm like just try something new and if you get beat it's no big deal because we KNOW they'd beat our base defense. Dick did just that in the game, he went bump and run, man to man and our CB's had an amazing game. Ike shut down Wes Welker and our LB's and Cortez Allen played a great game against Gronk and Hernandez.

 

And they were able to get some pressure and sacks on Brady. That play by Keisel to knock the ball loose at the end of the game was such great icing on the cake.

But to the main question...I think that is why so many grew to hate BA. Outside of this game there was not much evidence of proper game planning to expose the given opponent.
They had a plan and it worked that day. Here's to hoping we see more days like that in 2012!!!

 

I remember watching that game live and thinking to myself "Holy cow..I can't believe BA actually called a good game plan".

but really, my original post is not to bash BA, but to ask others on this board why we can't use Ben in this capacity all the time?

Here is hoping Coach Haley can make this happen.

 

The game was basically where the team did what the messageboard had been screaming at them to do for so long.

I think it was helped by a lot of our players just playing out of their skins, and some of the Pats players not so much. They looked utterly unprepared for what we were doing. It reminded me a little bit of Ben's first season when we played the Eagles, and the next season against the Colts in the play-offs. They were utterly wrong-footed.

 

Indeed, the game plan worked well. And I agree that there was rhythm to the offense in that game that we didn't see the rest of the season. After that win, there was no doubt in my mind that the Steelers were the best team in the AFC and were going to gain home field. And with 2:00 left a week later against the Ravens, I was certain the Steelers were on their way to a ninth SB appearance. Ooops.

I would have liked to have seen TDs instead of FGs in that game, but the Steelers had ten possessions in that game: 2 Tds, 3 FGs, 1 missed FG, 1 end of the half, 1 end of game, 1 interception, 1 punt.

 

Interestingly enough, the same problem faced BA that he always was faced with...getting it in the endzone.

Anyway, I do think he called a good game and had a good gameplan, but I think it hurt us the rest of the year. I know that seems strange, but I think he saw us throw the ball all over the field and reached the conclusion that we could become a gunslinger offense. The problem is, our the gunslinging that happened in the Pats game was a controlled approach. What we tried to do the rest of the year was a Big Play approach. Here is Ben barely able to walk in the San Fran game and we are throwing bombs which take 7-8 seconds for even the primary receiver to come open. He lost his focus.

 

This game by far was the best the Steelers played all of 2011, Why can't
we play this type of defense all year long?

 

When you get any team away from what they do best, they will suffer. That's what they did against the Patriots that day, but failed to do against some other teams last year.

 

Yes I believe your right . They did play amazingly well. Sometimes everything just seems to come together I guess. Partly preparation I suppose and partly they wanted it bad since NE had been in their heads for years now.

To me that was my personal SB haha

Bman

 

SBD is right, a bad defense can make any defense look so much better.

I was impressed by LeBeau. He had played the same defense for so long with a few small tweeks here and there that N.E. had our number and LeBeau knew he had to switch things up.

Cajun-