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Face vs. Two-Face Cowher and Donahoe Finally Square Off in Buffalo Article by McMillen & Wife
So does Sunday's less-than-marquee matchup in Buffalo translate into less pre-game entusiasm than usual on our part? No way! To the contrary, we're positively champing at the bit for some Steelers football after three LONG weeks of inactivity. Not only do we fully expect the Steelers beat the snot out of the Bills, but finally having an opportunity to stick it to Tom "This Isn't the Salvation Army" Donahoe (whom Sandy and I will NEVER forgive for dissing Rod Woodson) is the icing on the cake. All in all, this game seems to have all the makings of a rather enjoyable day of football for Steelers fans. But since neither Cowher nor Donahoe are likely to be strapping on a helmet on Sunday, let's take a look at some of the players who will suit up, as well as the game plans they'll be trying to carry out.
Ah, but there's the rub. Can the same offensive line (who's disgraceful, scatter-brained performance in Jacksonville cost Pittsburgh the game) clear the way for Bettis this week against Buffalo? The answer is a resounding "yes". Buffalo's linebacking corps has been absolutely ravaged by injuries. Pro Bowl MLB Sam Cowart is out for the season, and starting outside LB Brandon Spoon will also be riding the bench with an injury, so the middle of the Buffalo defense should be soft indeed. Clearly, this glaring deficiency should be the focal point of Pittburgh's offensive attack, because as the game wears on, the Bills are not going to be able to keep fresh legs in there. That's not to say we're going to stroll to victory unopposed. Buffalo's defense is not as bad as Indy made them look. I think what we saw in that game was a combination of an overwhelming offensive powerhouse having a great day against an average defense still breaking into a new style. I suspect what Buffalo did in New Orleans in their first game is a better representation of what Pittsburgh will face this Sunday. Nothing great, to be sure... but the Bills gave the Saints everything they could handle during the first half (Buffalo led 6-0 at halftime, and could've had a much bigger lead had they not been forced to settle for short FGs). The Bills were able to hang in for 2-1/2 quarters, but didn't have enough gas in the tank for the full 60 minutes. Therein lies the Steelers' formula for success on offense: Be patient, hammer the middle with the Bus to wear 'em down, and do NOT turn the ball over. Steeler Defense: It's hard not to drool like a Pavlovian dog over this one, folks. I mean, seriously... someone break out the bells and meat powder. Buffalo's offensive line is in every bit as much trouble as their linebacking corps. One or both of their starting offensive tackles, Jonas Jennings and ex-Steeler John Fina, could sit out because of injuries. Rob Johnson has been sacked a whopping nine times in two games. NINE TIMES! I think it's safe to say we can expect HUGE games from Jason Gildon and Joey Porter. Johnson has also thrown 4 interceptions, and on numerous occassions has seemed utterly confused in the pocket. A rookie running back, three new starters on the line and a new offensive system will do that to 'ya, I guess. I've gotta tell 'ya, I just can't believe Buffalo is actually trying to use a west-coast offense with a guy like Johnson at the helm. He just can't make his reads quickly enough to be successful in that kind of system. Oh well... better them than us. I mean, can you imagine if the Steelers decided to go west-coast (Heaven forbid) with Stewart under center? It's ludicrous! If there's one threat to be concerned about here, it's Buffalo's outstanding WR Eric Moulds. He's hurt, too (sprained shoulder) and is listed as questionable, but I suspect he'll play though it. And even if Moulds isn't 100%, he'll attract plenty of attention and might allow WR Peerless Price and TE Jay Riemersma to get open. The Steelers' corners were shredded by deep passes from Brunell in Jacksonville, so they'll have to keep a close watch on Moulds to avoid a repeat. But in defense of Washington, Scott, and Townsend, their coverage problems were as much a result of the lack of pressure on Brunell by the front seven as they were lackluster corner play. If Buffalo's previous two games are any indication of things to come, however, Johnson won't be able to sit back and calmly choose a receiver like Brunell did. He should be running for his life all afternoon. And therein lies the Steelers' formula for success on defense: Pressure Johnson, contain Moulds, and don't give up the big play. The bottom line: The Steelers should win this game handily. Tims's Prediction: 23-9 Sandy's Prediction: 17-7 See 'yins after the game, bruthas & sistas! Tim McMillen Webmaster, McMillen & Wife |
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Well, I called it earlier this year and I have no reason to change my mind now. This Bills team is in a state if disarray and is vulnerable as a result. The only real question is whether these Steelers can get their own act together enough to capitalize. To the team I offer this unique suggestion of offensive strategy: Bettis and throw long. That's it. Oh yeah, and don't forget to block. We got damn little of any of that in Jacksonville and the results were not pretty. Just thirteen touches for Jerome in game one. Not good. This guy needs to get the ball a lot. That is why we signed him to that new contract isn't it? I kind of think that perhaps new coordinator Mike Mularky pushed the panic button just a little too early in that game. The "new offense" looked like it might've taken hold until, in the midst of a barrage of injuries, the defense coughed up three TDs in the second quarter. The whole game just seemed to come unglued after that. This week, I hope, will be different. Playing in cool Buffalo weather, Bettis should spend much less time gasping for air on the sidelines and more in the game bashing into and through the Bills' free agency- and injury-depleted front seven. Did I say front seven? I'm sorry, I meant front eight or nine. Everybody plays the Steelers tight because they have no respect for our deep passing game. And why should they? We still don't seem to have one. I read an article somewhere which stated that Kevin Gilbride's offense focused more on the deep stuf than Mularky's new system. Sheesh! Does that mean that this year we'll try to go downfield only once every fourth week instead of once every third? No. Mike is quoted as saying that they simply intend to use the short pass to set up the long instead of vice-versa. Yo Mike! It's been nothing but running plays and dink passes for going on three years now. I think we got 'em set up for the long stuff already, dude. Of course, the preceding is mere academic exercise if the Bill defenders live in our backfield the way the Jags did. I still like the talent we have up front, but fellas, the time to "gel" is upon us. And lets try to keep the punter alive this week, shall we? On the other side of the ball, Chad Scott plays his first game of the year and it looks like everyone else is healthy enough to play too. They'll line up against an offensive line that, already not highly regarded, has at least three guys on the injury report and will feature some very inexperienced starters as a result. Add to this situation a banged up quarterback and number one wideout, and it looks like things should go well for the defense. Of course, some very similar things were said prior to the week one debacle but I'm willing to ignore that second period meltdown because of the confusion caused by all of the injuries. Once again, however, we have to discuss systems. To date, the Bills attempt to install the West Coast offense has not gone well. Despite preseason reports that Rob Johnson and Eric Moulds were putting in a lot of extra work, so far none of it has come to fruition. Johnson, in particular, has been rattled. Meanwhile, Lee Flowers is quoted in the Tribune-Review as pointing out that Johnson is locking onto his receivers because he's still lost in the offense. Flowers also scoffs at the whole West Coast system, noting that Detriot is also 0-2 in their attempt to adopt it. I wonder if Lee isn't also trying to send a message to the Steeler offensive coordinator. Mularky isn't running the WCO, but the short passing attack part of his system sure sounds familiar. Anyway, if Lee wants to send messages to coordinators, he might want to start with the guy who runs the Steeler D. Why no blitzing, Coach Lewis? OK, so maybe in the first game you wanna see if the new & improved D-line can generate pressure on its own. Or is this going to be the plan this year? I hope not. Especially not this week. I'm not saying we lose if we don't get after 'em, but we just might give 'em life. Johnson will rattle - and hey, maybe even break! - if you get after him early. But if you give him time behind that shaky offensive line, he might just start putting the ball where you don't want it to go. All of that said, and everything else being equal, I'd like the Steelers chances in this game. But things are not equal, my friends. A dark cloud hangs over this team and I fear it may be my doing. Three Steeler players are laboring under a heavy cosmic load. Bettis, Burress and Bruener are all currently members of a fantasy team that I helped a friend put together. The name of that team - I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry - is DawgPound. I'm really worried about a possible matter/anti-matter implosion of sorts. Hey, if you don't think there's anything to it, look up the stats. <<< Back to Mac & Wife's
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