Ironhead Josh Rides the Bus
Sunday’s AFC Championship games boasts two of the leagues most prolific run games and also two of the fiercest run defenses. If the war is won in the trenches, this game is going to be brutal.
These two squads have similarities when comes to run defense. Both feature excellent tackling and the safeties are basically extra linebackers when it comes to stuffing the run. But, while Denver has an advantage with its super-fast linebacking corps, the Steelers feature one of the strongest and most physical defensive lines in the AFC.
Denver only gave up 100 yards to two rushers, Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. A similarity is both Kansas City and Washington stayed in the game the entire time and didn’t abandon the run once they fell behind. This is the same approach that Pittsburgh will apply to this weekend’s game. The Steelers have shown the ability to force the running game on an opponent as they ran up over 170 yards on the Chicago Bears in week 14.
Denver’s linebackers are among the fastest in the game and will be able to shut down Willie Parker each time he tries to bounce a carry to the outside. The speed running game will not be effective for the Steelers on Sunday. With Jerome Bettis ready to bounce back following last week’s disaster, Pittsburgh will be ready to attack with the power ground game anyway.
The most unfortunate event for Denver’s run defense was Bettis’ fumble at the one-yard line against Indy. The thought of his career ending on a play like that will give Jerome extra motivation against the Broncos. Plus, he will be reunited with some old friends with each carry. Bettis had 134 yards and 3 tds in 2004 against the Cleveland front four that Denver currently employs. You’ll hear “old tires” and “broken down” to describe The Bus, but Jerome knows he has just two more games in his career, so you bet he’ll be ready to die on that field.
On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh has given up 100 yards only once this season, as Edgerrin James posted 124 yards on 29 carries (4.27 yards per carry). In the rematch, Edge could only muster 56 yards as Indy was forced to scrap the run in the second half.
The Broncos will look to gash the Steelers with the running game when Pittsburgh brings the blitz. The Steeler defensive front with von Oelhoffen, Hampton, and Smith are very physical and will look to outmuscle the smaller, quicker Denver offensive line similar to the way the Patriots did last week. Plus, the Steelers have Troy Palamalu lurking in the defensive backfield to stop any long Denver runs.
Despite playing most of the game with the lead, Denver only managed 96 yards on 32 attempts. In fact, Mike Anderson has rushed for 301 total yards in his last six games, an average of 50 yards per game. His counterpart Tatum Bell has 300 yards in the same time frame. It seems Denver’s vaunted rushing attack has fallen back over the last third of the season. Denver will need to get Tatum Bell outside on sweeps and stretch plays and on delays and draws to stay away from Pitt’s physical lineman.
The run game for both teams will be major part in protecting the lead and milking the clock during the second half, but the run mostly will be used in keeping the defenses honest while the passing games will be counted on to move the ball up and down the field.
These two squads have similarities when comes to run defense. Both feature excellent tackling and the safeties are basically extra linebackers when it comes to stuffing the run. But, while Denver has an advantage with its super-fast linebacking corps, the Steelers feature one of the strongest and most physical defensive lines in the AFC.
Denver only gave up 100 yards to two rushers, Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. A similarity is both Kansas City and Washington stayed in the game the entire time and didn’t abandon the run once they fell behind. This is the same approach that Pittsburgh will apply to this weekend’s game. The Steelers have shown the ability to force the running game on an opponent as they ran up over 170 yards on the Chicago Bears in week 14.
Denver’s linebackers are among the fastest in the game and will be able to shut down Willie Parker each time he tries to bounce a carry to the outside. The speed running game will not be effective for the Steelers on Sunday. With Jerome Bettis ready to bounce back following last week’s disaster, Pittsburgh will be ready to attack with the power ground game anyway.
The most unfortunate event for Denver’s run defense was Bettis’ fumble at the one-yard line against Indy. The thought of his career ending on a play like that will give Jerome extra motivation against the Broncos. Plus, he will be reunited with some old friends with each carry. Bettis had 134 yards and 3 tds in 2004 against the Cleveland front four that Denver currently employs. You’ll hear “old tires” and “broken down” to describe The Bus, but Jerome knows he has just two more games in his career, so you bet he’ll be ready to die on that field.
On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh has given up 100 yards only once this season, as Edgerrin James posted 124 yards on 29 carries (4.27 yards per carry). In the rematch, Edge could only muster 56 yards as Indy was forced to scrap the run in the second half.
The Broncos will look to gash the Steelers with the running game when Pittsburgh brings the blitz. The Steeler defensive front with von Oelhoffen, Hampton, and Smith are very physical and will look to outmuscle the smaller, quicker Denver offensive line similar to the way the Patriots did last week. Plus, the Steelers have Troy Palamalu lurking in the defensive backfield to stop any long Denver runs.
Despite playing most of the game with the lead, Denver only managed 96 yards on 32 attempts. In fact, Mike Anderson has rushed for 301 total yards in his last six games, an average of 50 yards per game. His counterpart Tatum Bell has 300 yards in the same time frame. It seems Denver’s vaunted rushing attack has fallen back over the last third of the season. Denver will need to get Tatum Bell outside on sweeps and stretch plays and on delays and draws to stay away from Pitt’s physical lineman.
The run game for both teams will be major part in protecting the lead and milking the clock during the second half, but the run mostly will be used in keeping the defenses honest while the passing games will be counted on to move the ball up and down the field.
posted by Derek at 9:56 AM
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