Week 10...Browns

[ATL96Steeler]

The OAK game was a rollercoaster ride on steroids...even after losing Ben (again)...I thought was over after the didn't score off the muffed punt...but no. In either case, they were are able to hang on and get the much needed win.

Week 10

The Browns come to town. This is the last of 3 consecutive home games. Also the last game before the bye week for both teams. CLE is 2-7 and losers of the last 4. To be fair, this 5 game stretch ending with this game is the toughest part of their schedule. The come in here with the 29th OFC and surprisingly the D is not much better...they rank 27th according to Pro-Football Reference.

Who is hurt? So far, Spaeth is the only notable that is already listed as out. Ben is saying in the media he is not a lock to be out...obviously we really need this game, but I'm expecting Ben to be inactive and Murphy to be bumped up from the PS. DWill has a foot issue, but is expected to play. I'm hoping @FaCe-LeE-uS will have more updates later in the week.

Steelers OFC...it looks as if Landry Jones will get another start. At home this time, I think he'll have a slightly more aggressive game plan from Haley...it might look ugly at times again, but I feel Jones will get 17 to 23 points on the board and that needs to stand.

Steeler DEF...on paper this looks like the Browns are bringing knife to a gun fight. They are giving up twice as many sacks as they make, they turn it over, etc. It looks as if McCown will start...I think Butler has to bring the heat and get on top of this team early.

Outlook...stranger things have happened, I'm sure the Browns are anxious to taste a win again, but the Steelers backs are still against wall, no margin for error this week. Fairly close...Steelers 23-17

What say you?

 

[Psych-Ward]

 

[Cali Steel]

What the hell??????
Jones is hurt now, and our backup is a still gimpy Ben?
Oy vey!!!!!!!

 

[Cali Steel]

WTF CBS Left coverage of the game to go to Eagles / Dolphins

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[MISKO]

lol cali ben the gimp did a good job today


btw .. the jags beat the gayvens today .. its a great steeler day

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

@Wamu

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Sorry for the no-show on the preview assessments! Had a lot goin on.

Recap...

Coaches... Tomlin still playing with big cojones. If they ever lose by 3 after he fails on a 4th & goal, then he's going to get a lot of flack. Luckily he hasn't been in that situation yet. Still... Worries the crap out of me! Hard to judge Haley today. Ben went no huddle a lot. But from what I could tell he was solid. Same with Butler. Kept dialing up the blitzes no matter the position he was in. B+

O... Landry's injury turned out to be a great blessing lol. Even though I'm pretty confident the game would have been won without Ben. Still, is there any question to who the toughest SOB in the NFL is? Nobody can even hold a candle to Ben's toughness. Unreal. Stat sheets wont show all the PI penalty yardage, but Ben had well over 400yds today. Aside from garb time, the run game was non existent. Surprising, but CLE's secondary couldn't stop the pass so they kept the pedal to the metal. Why stop whats working!? lol. O-line gave Ben plenty of time to work with most of the game. Run blocking wasn't the greatest. Great games from AB & Bryant (aside from the fumble). B

D... Battle was won up front. Browns had 15 net rushing yds off 14 carries??? That's 70's Steel Curtain type numbers. Helps that the Browns were playing from behind almost the entire game. Hence why Manziel racked up over 370yds. But the pressure was there all game long. 5 sacks! Secondary continued their usual M-O with the yardage bleeding but coming up with TO's and big stops when it counted. Hell of an effort on a couple of those CLE RZ trips. C+

ST... Boswell had a decent game. Botched an XP, but thankfully the lead was insurmountable. Berry had an avg sized punt of 42yds, and only punted once all game. I'll drink a beer to that. B+

Overall... Solid game all around. Nothing to really complain about. I'll go with a B+

Outlook... Great way to enter the bye-week. 2 AFC W's in a row. They have to be feeling good about where they're at right now. I know I do! 1 game lead on the 5th seed. WC race is still pretty wide open. Chefs, Raiders & Dolphins are still hanging in there. OAK on a 2 gm skid though. Steelers travel cross country to C-link next week. Tough game, regardless of health. Cards just knocked the wind out of them so they'll be looking to bounce back. After them its Indy, Cincy, Denver, Balt, & Cleveland. 5-gm AFC race to the finish line. Indy will be without Luck. Cincy is still as strong as ever. Denver just benched Peyton. Not sure what that foreshadows for that matchup. Balt & Cleveland are very winnable games to close out. Winning against the Hawks & Colts will be a huge momentum boost heading into Cincy. That's what I'm hopeful for! If they can win 4 out of 5 of the AFC matchups it will put them in great position.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Sorry for the no-show on the preview assessments! Had a lot goin on.

Recap...

Coaches... Tomlin still playing with big cojones. If they ever lose by 3 after he fails on a 4th & goal, then he's going to get a lot of flack. Luckily he hasn't been in that situation yet. Still... Worries the crap out of me! Hard to judge Haley today. Ben went no huddle a lot. But from what I could tell he was solid. Same with Butler. Kept dialing up the blitzes no matter the position he was in. B+

O... Landry's injury turned out to be a great blessing lol. Even though I'm pretty confident the game would have been won without Ben. Still, is there any question to who the toughest SOB in the NFL is? Nobody can even hold a candle to Ben's toughness. Unreal. Stat sheets wont show all the PI penalty yardage, but Ben had well over 400yds today. Aside from garb time, the run game was non existent. Surprising, but CLE's secondary couldn't stop the pass so they kept the pedal to the metal. Why stop whats working!? lol. O-line gave Ben plenty of time to work with most of the game. Run blocking wasn't the greatest. Great games from AB & Bryant (aside from the fumble). B

D... Battle was won up front. Browns had 15 net rushing yds off 14 carries??? That's 70's Steel Curtain type numbers. Helps that the Browns were playing from behind almost the entire game. Hence why Manziel racked up over 370yds. But the pressure was there all game long. 5 sacks! Secondary continued their usual M-O with the yardage bleeding but coming up with TO's and big stops when it counted. Hell of an effort on a couple of those CLE RZ trips. C+

ST... Boswell had a decent game. Botched an XP, but thankfully the lead was insurmountable. Berry had an avg sized punt of 42yds, and only punted once all game. I'll drink a beer to that. B+

Overall... Solid game all around. Nothing to really complain about. I'll go with a B+

Outlook... Great way to enter the bye-week. 2 AFC W's in a row. They have to be feeling good about where they're at right now. I know I do! 1 game lead on the 5th seed. WC race is still pretty wide open. Chefs, Raiders & Dolphins are still hanging in there. OAK on a 2 gm skid though. Steelers travel cross country to C-link next week. Tough game, regardless of health. Cards just knocked the wind out of them so they'll be looking to bounce back. After them its Indy, Cincy, Denver, Balt, & Cleveland. 5-gm AFC race to the finish line. Indy will be without Luck. Cincy is still as strong as ever. Denver just benched Peyton. Not sure what that foreshadows for that matchup. Balt & Cleveland are very winnable games to close out. Winning against the Hawks & Colts will be a huge momentum boost heading into Cincy. That's what I'm hopeful for! If they can win 4 out of 5 of the AFC matchups it will put them in great position.

Good recap per norm Face.

My thoughts.

The Browns played a terrible game with all of the penalties...only one of the PI calls was shaky...the others were all legit...the offsides, holding negated big plays. If they clean that up, this is still a 2 possession win probably, but the margin was beefed up by their ineptness.

Ben...I think they knew he could go if needed...Landry going down really changed the game plan to almost exclusive shotgun for Ben because they wanted to minimize his movement I'm sure from under center....they were clearly keying on Dwill as part of their gameplan with Landry and the change to the backup's game plan, they were not ready for. It's a different OFC when Ben is in there...hope he can stay healthy the rest of the way. Note to Wallace...I don't mind a hold if you get beat, but presnap penalties are hard to accept.

Chick siting...I did a double take on the second DEF series when I saw #56 on DEF instead of #95...I did not realize Deebo was out with a knee. Scrambling around a little but he got some snaps.

D...Butler played a good mix against JM...some 3 man rush, with 8 in zone, and some 5 and 6 man pressure packages...it yielded a lot of yards (several 10-12+ yd throws) because the back end coverage was loose, but
the pressure was working when he dialed it up...I thought it was 6 sacks, (Heyward's was a coverage sack but credit for not quitting on the play) ...the one JJ missed on I thought Manziel scored, but he never reached the ball out I guess before his knee hit.

AFC playoff watch.

Currently PIT at 6-4 is the 5 seed with NYJ (7) losing to BUF (6)...to leave them both 5-4...MIA (10) stayed alive 4-5 along with KC (8) taking out DEN on the road has kept them in the race at 4-5 also. OAK (9) losing at home to MIN is 4-5 also.

I think we can officially eliminate BAL and CLE...both will try to be good spoilers at this point when they play PIT again I'm sure, but they are headed for top 5 draft picks. The bye does come at great time.

 

[Psych-Ward]

View attachment 52363

Should of got an extra 3 for sticking the landing!!!!

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Good recap per norm Face.

My thoughts.

The Browns played a terrible game with all of the penalties...only one of the PI calls was shaky...the others were all legit...the offsides, holding negated big plays. If they clean that up, this is still a 2 possession win probably, but the margin was beefed up by their ineptness.

Ben...I think they knew he could go if needed...Landry going down really changed the game plan to almost exclusive shotgun for Ben because they wanted to minimize his movement I'm sure from under center....they were clearly keying on Dwill as part of their gameplan with Landry and the change to the backup's game plan, they were not ready for. It's a different OFC when Ben is in there...hope he can stay healthy the rest of the way. Note to Wallace...I don't mind a hold if you get beat, but presnap penalties are hard to accept.

Chick siting...I did a double take on the second DEF series when I saw #56 on DEF instead of #95...I did not realize Deebo was out with a knee. Scrambling around a little but he got some snaps.

D...Butler played a good mix against JM...some 3 man rush, with 8 in zone, and some 5 and 6 man pressure packages...it yielded a lot of yards (several 10-12+ yd throws) because the back end coverage was loose, but
the pressure was working when he dialed it up...I thought it was 6 sacks, (Heyward's was a coverage sack but credit for not quitting on the play) ...the one JJ missed on I thought Manziel scored, but he never reached the ball out I guess before his knee hit.

AFC playoff watch.

Currently PIT at 6-4 is the 5 seed with NYJ (7) losing to BUF (6)...to leave them both 5-4...MIA (10) stayed alive 4-5 along with KC (8) taking out DEN on the road has kept them in the race at 4-5 also. OAK (9) losing at home to MIN is 4-5 also.

I think we can officially eliminate BAL and CLE...both will try to be good spoilers at this point when they play PIT again I'm sure, but they are headed for top 5 draft picks. The bye does come at great time.

Excellent analysis ATL!

Didn't even think about CLE's defensive gameplan but you have got to be spot on! Good thoughts! They keyed on D-will which worked, but Ben caught them with their pants down and they never regrouped. I agree on Wallace. His presnap penalties have become a regularity. I'm hoping to hear some sort of news on Pouncey in the coming weeks.

Chickillo... It was good to see the kid log some meaningful snaps. He's been a good asset so far on ST. I also think I saw a Doran Grant siting on ST? Wasn't sure but I thought it was him.

D... Might have been 6 sacks? Can't quite recall at the moment.

Bye week... perfect timing indeed. Gives them a chance to heal a few lumps. Notably Spaeth, Harrison & Garvin. Would be nice to have all 3 back as they are big contributors.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Excellent analysis ATL!

Didn't even think about CLE's defensive gameplan but you have got to be spot on! Good thoughts! They keyed on D-will which worked, but Ben caught them with their pants down and they never regrouped. I agree on Wallace. His presnap penalties have become a regularity. I'm hoping to hear some sort of news on Pouncey in the coming weeks.

Chickillo... It was good to see the kid log some meaningful snaps. He's been a good asset so far on ST. I also think I saw a Doran Grant siting on ST? Wasn't sure but I thought it was him.

D... Might have been 6 sacks? Can't quite recall at the moment.

Bye week... perfect timing indeed. Gives them a chance to heal a few lumps. Notably Spaeth, Harrison & Garvin. Would be nice to have all 3 back as they are big contributors.

Jones/Haley...yep, CLE had picked his brain early anyway...S were very active on the LOS.

I know we're talking about a 2nd NFL start QB, but I felt like he was going to stay the course if Landry had not gotten hurt and we're looking at a 5 FG attempt kinda game....that's why I projected it fairly close.

The one big thing that bothers me about Haley in DIV and playoffs...in game adjustment. I get execution (Mike Tomlin), is the most important part, but the other team has professional players too...if they know what you're going to do based on formation, down and distance...they have a second or two headstart on the defending the play, that, imo makes it HARDER to execute!!!

In 1 and done games against good DEF, you must be able to change it up.

Long way off from playoffs, but I like the potential of this team if they have Ben at the helm. Just looking at the DIV leaders yesterday...DEN (7-2) is probably the most vunerable, lot of though games left...SD x 2, @CHI, NE, OAK, @PIT, CIN, 4-3 should seal it...KC has a fairly soft close but the hole is too deep...NE (9-0) imo should have lost that game...they have lost Edleman and in spite of Rock's sack stats...I saw a DEF you can throw on...they have a few tough games left, but BUF is at home plus two more at home, 12 wins is probably the water table.

CIN (8-0)...to be honest I think this is the most complete team in the AFC rosterwise...DEF is not quite as strong as stats would indicate imo, but still very solid. OFC has playmakers galore...you have to think they set the tone early tonight and win easy...@ AZ, STL (who is suddenly looking avg again) PIT, @DEN, CLE, BAL, & SF are the land mines to avoid and keep the 1 seed in play.

As a WC...5 plays 4, so it would be nice to maintain the 5 seed, but I would take my chances with these Steelers vs the 3 seed....just need to get there.