Steel Curtain vs. the Cassel: Matt faces the #1 Defense

by MaPatsFan on Nov 26, 2008 2:08 PM EST Comment 15 comments

For weeks we have been watching the progress of Matt Cassel and our beleagured Patriots deal with a string of injuries. The IR chart is a relative who's who of starters and key players. The good news? Second, third, and fourth stringers are showing they have what it takes to step up and perform. This is a credit to their work ethic and preparation, but let's also give credit to the Patriots organization. Without guys like Scott Pioli and his staff scouring the college and free agent ranks for this forgotten player or that unrecognized rookie, there would be no depth. None. And we'd be in a world of hurt right now.

This Sunday at 4:15, we face what I consider one of our toughest opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a storied franchise and one of only three in the history of the NFL to win five Super Bowls. Both teams have usually had to face the other to get into the playoffs, hence a nice rivalry has developed. But that's history. This is 2008 and we have the #1 defense in the NFL to contend with. Here's a quick view of the Stillers' defensive stats:

Points per Game - 14.5
Yards per Game - 235.4
Passing yards per game - 168.8
Rushing yards per game - 66.5
Sacks per game - 3.4

Yep, it's a tough D all around. They're good at almost everything: pass defense, run defense, pass pressure... you name it, they own it. So is there any hope? Are we in for a long day? Not so fast. Cassel has gotten MUCH better in the pocket, very Brady-esque. He's stepping forward instead of sideways and, in many instances, simply running when his receivers are covered and LBs go soft.

Is that all you got, dude? What else? Relax, I'm getting to it. Spread the defense. Wes Welker and Randy Moss are known threats. Left alone or played soft, they will eat teams alive. While DBs are busy keeping tabs on them, Matt has found success with Jabar Gaffney or Ben Watson. Usually in single coverage, they're great for those quick 8-12 yard pops. Putting 3 WRs out is a great balance because that leaves 5 on the line, a TE, QB, and an RB. The TE and RB can provide pass protection OR be available as an option. With 4 wideouts, you'd have to lose either the TE or the RB and Cassel's vertical-ness.

My prediction? Pitt's sack count at 37 is second in the league and their pass defense is first with 168 YPG. This means, too me at least, that they create a lot of pressure and blitz quite a bit (could be good coverage, too). If that's the case, I don't think Cassel will have time to hang in the pocket too long. Both Welker and RB Kevin Faulk may be in for a workout as he looks for the quick check downs. However, if we can spread the defense and force some tentativeness on the rush, we could have some success.

The Patriots' offense has had a couple of high yardage games. Can they repeat against the league's #1 D? This is going to be cool to watch.

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win would indicate

an amazing turnaround for the season.

After losses to the Chargers and Colts, beating at least 1 of last year’s division champs would put the Pats up for serious playoff consideration, though probably in the #6 spot unless the Brett Favre realizes he’s Brett Favre and starts throwing games away.

If our defense can apply pressure on Big Ben, I think we can scrape by.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Nov 26, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Favre usually does in the post-season

look at how he self-destructed and threw himself out of the playoffs last year. I would have much rather played Green Bay than the Giants, lol.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 26, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll second that

I was so rooting for green bay, and I HATE green bay

by cia on Nov 26, 2008 8:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The sacks come from both good pressure and great coverage. That’s a very homerish thing to say, but it’s the truth. We’ve played some pretty solid offenses this year with some pretty solid lines, and when the pressure isn’t there the coverage forces throwaways or sacks.

The 3,4 wide is definitely the way to go. I think the patriots offense will boil down to whether our coverage teams can watch the receivers for the first 10 yards to let the pressure get to cassel. If matt can connect on those quick passes it’s going to be a long day for the steelers. If he’s forced to go to his 3rd read it’s going to be a long day for Matt.

Quite a few teams have tried going 3,4 wide on us consistently this year, and it hasn’t worked yet.

One thing that all steelers fans know though is that when it comes to NE, what’s on paper doesn’t matter. Nothing about this matchup should scare steelers fans, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t awfully worried. I swear your coaches maniacally pour over steelers game tape during the summer just to embarrass us during the year.

by steelguy99 on Nov 26, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It could be a good thing that Matt isn’t forever in the pocket.

by cia on Nov 26, 2008 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

One thing to remember, DIck LeBeau does half-time adjustments better than any D-Coord in the league. Its not unusual to see opponents find success in the first half only to be totally shutdown in the 3rd quarter (we haven’t allowed a TD in the 3rd quarter yet, and only allowed 6 points I think).

I think the game will really be decided by the Steelers O and the Pats D. Thats really the intriguing match up. I think the Steelers D will do a good job, Matt Cassel will put up some points, and that will be it.

If Big Ben shows up,..then I think the Steelers win.

by ismail on Nov 27, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

LeBeau’s adjustments against the patriots last year at the half are indeed legendary.

by steelguy99 on Nov 27, 2008 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

are you trying to be funny?

by ismail on Nov 27, 2008 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or alternately, paying attention to reality.

by steelguy99 on Nov 28, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't New England win by 21 points, 34-13?

Maybe he should have started adjusting before the game began. Actually, the Pats scored 17 in the first half and 17 in the second half, so if you want to look at better halftime adjustments, the Pats did by not allowing a point in the second half by Pittsburgh. Maybe you are in an alternate reality.

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory...lasts forever."-Shane Falco, "The Replacements"

by Ironman63 on Nov 28, 2008 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or alternately, you aren’t actually paying any attention to my commentary, or more likely, my exceptionally skillful and sly use of sarcasm has gone unnoticed.

by steelguy99 on Nov 28, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was making a point that LeBeau makes great half time adjustments,…I don’t see how 1 game against possibly the greatest offensive unit the league has ever seen, negates that. Also, LeBeau can make all the adjustments he wants but ultimately if you don’t have the horses to execute those adjustments they don’t mean much. Last year Troy was hobbled, Ryan Clark out, Aaron Smith injured. Making comparisons to last year’s game is absurd for many reasons.

I guess I don’t see the point of your sarcasm, and honestly still don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Ironman63’s post is even more bizarre.

by ismail on Nov 28, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. I don’t see how us having lost the last 7/8 against NE has anything to do with the defense. It’s all to be blamed on the offense, special teams, and execution by the defense, because dick lebeau makes excellent half-time adjustments, especially against the patriots, and is basically all powerful and never outcoached.

by steelguy99 on Nov 28, 2008 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs