So, what would be your game plan for Saturday?

[alancac98]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

[Stlcrtn1974]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Similar on Defense for me. On Offense I come out throwing the ball, a reverse of what they did last week.

[NCsteelerSU]

Heavy dose of Patterson, some sort of tantrum by gp and that bug eyed 1000 yd stare from Tomlin when the d gets shredded.

Jameson on ice for me, cheers fellas.

[Steelperch]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Tomlin and his defensive coordination, which is his supposed strong point, will allow around 40 points. The only chance to win is to against the grain on offense. Come out in hurry up and throw the ball all over the field. Baltimore is too good up front to just pound the ball into the line. Try to win a shoot out, because our coaching staff is going to fail at what they are supposed to be good at.They can’t run it, and the defense will give up points at will. It’s the playoffs.

[langer]

If this team doesn't score at least a FG first drive they are fucked. If the Ravens score first drive game over. They can't come from even a one point deficit.

Therefore, Najee the Blind will sit this game, benched. Warren will be in, short passes spreading the field out. Muth in the middle. Deep balls out of the gate to Pickens to get his brain in the game.

I fear Henry will have 200 yards.

[K_C_]

If Flowers is missing, double Andrews (give Minkah help who will most definitely play Andrews straight up) and play man on Baltimore's outside receivers.

I absolutely agree that there should be an 8 man box (and a spy on Lamar) and make Jackson beat you with his arm with no Flowers.

This is a very, very winnable game.

[Louis Lipps Service]

If Flowers is missing, double Andrews (give Minkah help who will most definitely play Andrews straight up) and play man on Baltimore's outside receivers.

I absolutely agree that there should be an 8 man box (and a spy on Lamar) and make Jackson beat you with his arm with no Flowers.

This is a very, very winnable game.

Minkah will be defending the field goal post, as he does every game.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

This. Just add super edge discipline so LJ or Henry don’t escape Watt, Highsmith or Herbig.

And I would do the pro set with Wilson, Fields and Najee in the backfield on early downs and periodically on all downs.

RPOs for Fields in which he can pass too. I’d give Fields 30% of the touches for the game.

I’d also force feed Pickens short passes early so he had at least 10 targets by end of the game. RPO to Warren then have Fields run towards the sideline and I have Pickens as an option for laterals or safety valve dump off.

[OhioSteeler]

I would come out similar to what OSU did against Oregon. Basically a 4-2 front with Minkah playing the Mike just a little behind LB depth. Allow him to play the run and take away the middle of the field. Let the LBs play downhill.

[K_C_]

If Flowers is missing, double Andrews (give Minkah help who will most definitely play Andrews straight up) and play man on Baltimore's outside receivers.

I absolutely agree that there should be an 8 man box (and a spy on Lamar) and make Jackson beat you with his arm with no Flowers.

This is a very, very winnable game.

Minkah will be defending the field goal post, as he does every game.

He does that against every team except the Ravens. They always match him up with Andrews.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Here is another play I’d put in. Chiefs have been experimenting with this, I’d just take it mainstream.

Direct snap to Fields. RPO to Warren guard tackle gap. Fields continues to roll-out, throw to Pickens on one of those Kelce patterns. Drag to the middle and sit for Pickens. Pass the ball to Pickens who does a couple jukes and immediately laterals it back to Fields who would be at full speed coming around the end.

RPO drag and lateral. Fields to Pickens back to Fields! TD!

[SteelerDayTrader]

This defense isn’t stopping anyone. Gotta outscore them

- The Steelers run ALOT of vertical routes outside the hashes. Some games it seems like that’s all they do. They need to run some crossers underneath after clearing out the DBs with some speed stretching the top end

- Doesn’t even need to be anything crazy. Just clear out some space with 3 guys deep and fast and have a crosser going the other way. Maybe a leak route after a chip block. Maybe just a rub route at the snap. Etc etc.

- Scheming cleared out crossers underneath would do a few things. It would give Washington Freiermuth CA3 and Jefferson and Pickens a better look at the ball. It would take what the Ravens are likely willing to give. It would allow for SOME ability to break a big play


- If I’m the Ravens Pickens deep is my only real concern until shown otherwise. I’d be just fine letting the Steelers inch down the field til the field tightens around the red zone and they no longer have room to stretch the D. Our offense has to get the ball to our COD guys in space and hope they can make something happen.


- I highly doubt the Steelers will do any of that ^^^^. However. If they do get close to the end zone they can’t just keep pounding the rock or using the field to clear out crossers underneath. They need to get Freiermuth and Washington boxing out guys and pulling down TDs. Washington is fucking elite at drawing the PI in the end zone. One of the best in the league. We saw it once last week and twice during a preseason game a year or two (?) ago and that’s it. Crazy stupid not to do it ALOT more.


- The Ravens will give looks to give up short runs and passes. I’m not sure the Steelers have the ability to even take what’s given. The Steelers have to get close to the end zone and then use Washington Freiermuth and Pickens boxing out


- The run game really needs more width to create space happening. Even just some counter motion. Anything. I doubt it will happen. The Steelers OL are slow and lackadaisical. When the Steelers run everything bunched so close together in the run game it’s how I know they don’t have ANYONE who has every been well thought of with play design. They like to imagine themselves driving a bulldozer. Lol. All they really do is create a big ugly pile with no room for RB lanes. Lol. Dummies.

- Russ needs to play a great game getting the ball out quick and stepping up into the “pocket” such as it is. Short armed marshmallow man Frazier better be fucking be jacked up this game.



- On defense they need to get a helmet on Jackson EVERYTIME he pulls that RPO stuff. Previously the Steelers have been able to get him off his game a little. DuPree had a HUGE game one year pounding him just briefly after the give. They need to return to that approach. Low Watt needs to fucking show up. And don’t tell me about no fucking double teams when someone taps a shoulder pad briefly on their way to a leak route. The great ones win when everyone knows it’s on them. Ask Santonio Holmes. 100x the Steeler Low Watt will ever be. Low Watt and Highsmith need to get some hits on Jackson.


- The Steelers aren’t gonna stop Henry if the Ravens have the lead late. Period. The Steelers only hope is to come out throwing and build a lead. Lolololz. Sorry. Had to Lolololz. I would not punt beyond the Steelers 40 if they are behind more than 3

[Orangesteel]

All good points. If this defense gives up another 30 or 40 burger in the playoffs then what else can you say?

Their biggest weapon is Henry so I think you have to sell out to stop him. I like our LBs against Lamar. If Flowers is out that is their speedster game breaker so that will be YUGE.

But it starts with Henry. If they get the push they got a few weeks ago in Baltimore there isn’t a team in the league that will beat the Ravens.

- sell out to stop Henry
- contain Lamar and when you get to him you need to hit him hard
- limit Andrew’s to the underneath stuff and not the deep seem stuff

Oh and on offense we need to throw and go up tempo.

[Steel Bingo]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Basically everything written right here has to be factored in somehow. A couple of timely turnovers would be welcome, as well.

T. J. Watt is still the best defender in the world. A big effort out of him could swing any game. All indications are that he is healthy right now. Big bonus.

[anpsteel]

What would actually be amazing, is if Tomlin is setting us, and all other teams up.

We all know, that coach dummy the dumbest, pretty much runs the same game plan, the same scheme, from game to game, year to year.

His general strategy is seemingly, Do What We Do, see how the other team plays it, then potentially make adjustments at half time. For both sides of the ball.


Now, maybe, just maybe, dopey knows that everyone knows this; and maybe, just maybe, they'll come out running an opponent specific scheme.

Unlike every other regular season and playoff game, maybe this time he has something up his sleeve.

Smith is indicating "massive" changes will be made

I'm not fully convinced, but wouldn't that be amazing, if they come out passing on 1st and 2nd downs, just to break tendancies, and get the opponent off balance.

Wouldn't it be amazing, if instead of the standard, Highsmith / Heyward / Ogunjobi / Watt, Nickle alignment, they actually move the LBs around, to disguise the pass rush. Stunts and Twists, to get the rush coming from locations and angles the opponent doesn't expect?
Walk down Minkah? Bring Queen and drop TJ or Herbig?

Anyway, I'm trying to look at the positive here. Not really expecting it, but dopey has to know, if they get boat raced again, he's pretty close to walking the plank. At bare minimum, they'll likely be looking at wholesale changes on the staff, if the team gets dominated, again.

Anywho

I'm not expecting much, but it would be nice to see a team and head coach that had some fucking clue about playing the opponent

[SteelerDayTrader]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Basically everything written right here has to be factored in somehow. A couple of timely turnovers would be welcome, as well.

T. J. Watt is still the best defender in the world. A big effort out of him could swing any game. All indications are that he is healthy right now. Big bonus.

Lolololz

[gojira5150]

If the Fraud Jibba can let go of his pride and do what Cowher did in '05 and do a 180 on what he normally does. They can win this game

[TimmayLake]

Try to win 15-14 on the strength of 5 Boswell figgies.

[Stosh-67]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Similar on Defense for me. On Offense I come out throwing the ball, a reverse of what they did last week.

Are you saying its not a good idea to keep running into this guy on 1st downs?



Starting NT Travis Jones is 6'-4" and 340-350
And then they sub in 6 ft. 360 pound Michael Pierce. No way he is less than 375.

With his pick over the middle last week, does the offense now game plan to not pass in his zone....since he may drop back. LOL.

[bradshaw2ben]

I would stack the box and go all out to stop Henry! Can't let him have a 150 yard day. Must have 3 down lineman all game long. The Ravens may be without Flowers so that helps a lot on the back end. Run Blitz often and meet at the QB mentality! Make Lamar beat you with his arm all the while putting pressure straight up the middle on him - he will bail out and throw the ball away!

Tomlin and his defensive coordination, which is his supposed strong point, will allow around 40 points. The only chance to win is to against the grain on offense. Come out in hurry up and throw the ball all over the field. Baltimore is too good up front to just pound the ball into the line. Try to win a shoot out, because our coaching staff is going to fail at what they are supposed to be good at.They can’t run it, and the defense will give up points at will. It’s the playoffs.

This

[955876]

Game plan for Saturday???

Play golf in the morning.

Have lunch and cocktail or two.

Take a nap.

Watch the game.

Tip my cap to the Ravens.

Celebrate NHALS.

Go to bed.

[LakecrestSteeler]

This defense isn’t stopping anyone. Gotta outscore them

- The Steelers run ALOT of vertical routes outside the hashes. Some games it seems like that’s all they do. They need to run some crossers underneath after clearing out the DBs with some speed stretching the top end

- Doesn’t even need to be anything crazy. Just clear out some space with 3 guys deep and fast and have a crosser going the other way. Maybe a leak route after a chip block. Maybe just a rub route at the snap. Etc etc.

- Scheming cleared out crossers underneath would do a few things. It would give Washington Freiermuth CA3 and Jefferson and Pickens a better look at the ball. It would take what the Ravens are likely willing to give. It would allow for SOME ability to break a big play

This is really all one needs to do. I shake my head at this all the time. It is virtually impossible to cover a guy racing through the wash or the clear outs. You can run the same plays multiple times in a row to the same guy and nobody is stopping it! This is what a good and fast TE is great for; you can flip the TE to either side of the line or short side or far side of the field. It doesn’t matter. The wash is impossible to negotiate for defenders!

[smithessmokin]

Be sure to check out the podcast, Wil and I go in depth on what the Steelers need to do the pull out the victory this weekend.

[BouldernBun]

What would actually be amazing, is if Tomlin is setting us, and all other teams up.

We all know, that coach dummy the dumbest, pretty much runs the same game plan, the same scheme, from game to game, year to year.

His general strategy is seemingly, Do What We Do, see how the other team plays it, then potentially make adjustments at half time. For both sides of the ball.


Now, maybe, just maybe, dopey knows that everyone knows this; and maybe, just maybe, they'll come out running an opponent specific scheme.

Unlike every other regular season and playoff game, maybe this time he has something up his sleeve.

Smith is indicating "massive" changes will be made

I'm not fully convinced, but wouldn't that be amazing, if they come out passing on 1st and 2nd downs, just to break tendancies, and get the opponent off balance.

Wouldn't it be amazing, if instead of the standard, Highsmith / Heyward / Ogunjobi / Watt, Nickle alignment, they actually move the LBs around, to disguise the pass rush. Stunts and Twists, to get the rush coming from locations and angles the opponent doesn't expect?
Walk down Minkah? Bring Queen and drop TJ or Herbig?

Anyway, I'm trying to look at the positive here. Not really expecting it, but dopey has to know, if they get boat raced again, he's pretty close to walking the plank. At bare minimum, they'll likely be looking at wholesale changes on the staff, if the team gets dominated, again.

Anywho

I'm not expecting much, but it would be nice to see a team and head coach that had some fucking clue about playing the opponent

I have hoped for/pushed the same narrative. If Tomlin broke tendency, opponents would be shocked. Arthur Smith has said that changes are needed and will be made. Well, NOW is the time for MT to shine his genius in our eyes and blind us with it.

[langer]

[Dan Smith--BYU]

My plan would be to leave late i the third quarter before the crowds when the game will surely be sealed up.

[swissvale72]

Game plan for Saturday???

Play golf in the morning.

Have lunch and cocktail or two.

Take a nap.

Watch the game.

Tip my cap to the Ravens.

Celebrate NHALS.

Go to bed.

My game plan, but a question for you, '95. Being fussy about language, I've always maintained that one does not "play golf," but rather "golfs," using "golf" as a verb,,unlike other sports.

My gameday?

-do my aerobic workout at home
-take the dog for a walk, ironically on the GOLF course down the street
-go to the town dump to pitch the trash
-shower, change, get out my white FWP jersey for gametime
-do what im told as far as dinner prep...lol
-play in the yard with the dog
-ready my game night beverages, 2-3 16'oz Vermont craft beers with 8.0 abv
-watch Steelers upset those purple bitches from baltimore!!!
-watch all the postgame shit and tell all ye of little faith asshats that I toldja so!!!

[OhioSteeler]

Game plan for Saturday???

Play golf in the morning.

Have lunch and cocktail or two.

Take a nap.

Watch the game.

Tip my cap to the Ravens.

Celebrate NHALS.

Go to bed.

My game plan, but a question for you, '95. Being fussy about language, I've always maintained that one does not "play golf," but rather "golfs," using "golf" as a verb,,unlike other sports.

My gameday?

-do my aerobic workout at home
-take the dog for a walk, ironically on the GOLF course down the street
-go to the town dump to pitch the trash
-shower, change, get out my white FWP jersey for gametime
-do what im told as far as dinner prep...lol
-play in the yard with the dog
-ready my game night beverages, 2-3 16'oz Vermont craft beers with 8.0 abv
-watch Steelers upset those purple bitches from baltimore!!!
-watch all the postgame shit and tell all ye of little faith asshats that I toldja so!!!

Heady Topper?

[955876]

but a question for you, '95. Being fussy about language, I've always maintained that one does not "play golf," but rather "golfs," using "golf" as a verb,,unlike other sports.

I just care what my final score is whether I played golf or went golfing.

[swissvale72]

Game plan for Saturday???

Play golf in the morning.

Have lunch and cocktail or two.

Take a nap.

Watch the game.

Tip my cap to the Ravens.

Celebrate NHALS.

Go to bed.

My game plan, but a question for you, '95. Being fussy about language, I've always maintained that one does not "play golf," but rather "golfs," using "golf" as a verb,,unlike other sports.

My gameday?

-do my aerobic workout at home
-take the dog for a walk, ironically on the GOLF course down the street
-go to the town dump to pitch the trash
-shower, change, get out my white FWP jersey for gametime
-do what im told as far as dinner prep...lol
-play in the yard with the dog
-ready my game night beverages, 2-3 16'oz Vermont craft beers with 8.0 abv
-watch Steelers upset those purple bitches from baltimore!!!
-watch all the postgame shit and tell all ye of little faith asshats that I toldja so!!!

Heady Topper?

That's one option!! The others are Madonna by zero gravity and lush by frost brewing. Worlds top-rated brewery, hill farmstead, is about 30 min away from my place in vermont