A short lookahead to Week 14's Cleveland-Pittsburgh game:
It appears that the Steelers come with an excellent shot at the very top AFC playoff seed. Beginning tonight, they've two games playing the Browns, one using the Rams ... along with a tough Monday nighter in a few days at Bay Area. First the Browns, a team the Steelers have beaten 14 from 15, watering down a once-great competition. Obviously that certain Pittsburgh loss came 2 yrs ago, also on the Thursday evening once they were heavily preferred.
Player to look at -- Browns QB Colt McCoy: The National football league sophomore returns to Heinz Area, where he earned his professional debut this year coupled with a good showing with 281 passing yards, one TD and 2 INTs against that which was perhaps league's best defense. Now he's back lugging a sprained right knee and possibly a far more painful -7 record versus. AFC North teams. To date this season, McCoy has tossed for just two,524 yards, 14 TDs and nine INTs, but his completion rate (57.7%) and passer rating (76.9) are low. He does not make a lot of egregious mistakes, but neither does he push the ball downfield, ranking second-to-last league-wide with 5.9 yards per attempt. Whether that's an indictment of his game or even the Browns' devices is definitely an ongoing debate. However it does not diminish the truth that McCoy must play easier to cement his status because the team's No. 1 quarterback starting 2012. It will help he will not need to face Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), however Pittsburgh's defense is permitting 11 points per game in the last three days.
Game to look at -- Browns DT Phil Taylor versus. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey: This may be a battle within the starts that fans of those teams can also enjoy for many years as Pouncey, a Professional Bowler like a rookie this past year, will get his start looking at Taylor, an initial-round pick last spring who's exhibited dominance. Though Pittsburgh's offensive lines are frequently a target of critique, it might create lots of holes against a defense rated 31st from the run (151.2 ypg)
2011年12月8日星期四
Steelers turn to maintain dominance over Browns
Even though Gambling are tied atop the AFC North, winning the division will not be simple. Facing the Cleveland Browns in 2 of the final four games, however, should help their hopes.
The surging Steelers turn to win for that eighth amount of time in nine games and continue their dominance within the sputtering Browns on Thursday evening at Heinz Area (8:20 p.m. ET).
Pittsburgh's only blemish in the last eight games - a 23-20 loss to Baltimore on November. 6 - diminish its likelihood of winning a 4th division title in 5 years. The Steelers (9-3) are tied using the Ravens atop wholesale nfl jerseys its northern border, but getting been taken by their archrivals, Pittsburgh must finish having a better record to win the division.
Cleveland (4-8) might have assisted the Steelers on Sunday having a home game against Baltimore, although not remarkably arrived on the scene with another sluggish performance and lost 24-10, shedding to three-18 within the division since 2008.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, come up with among its best performances of year Sunday, beating Cincinnati 35-7 because of its third straight victory. Ben Roethlisberger put for 176 yards and 2 scores to Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall had two touchdowns and James Harrison collected three sacks to guide a defense that held the Bengals to some season-low point total.
"Fundamental essentials games that will place you in spot to build your run," linebacker James Farrior stated. "We are just attempting to keep up within the division."
The Steelers have the symptoms of a high probability to help keep pace with Baltimore.
Pittsburgh, which finishes its season at Cleveland, also visits NFC West-champion Bay Area and hosts two-win St. Louis. The Ravens have games at North Park and Cincinnati and home contests against Cleveland and winless Indiana.
Neither team seems to possess a difficult remaining schedule, but because of the Steelers' history using the Browns, they might come with an edge.
Pittsburgh has won 14 of 15 against Cleveland and seven consecutively at Heinz Area since a 33-13 reduction in 2003. It's won the final three in Pittsburgh by typically 20.7 points.
Within the two conferences last season, the Steelers outscored the Browns 69-19, with Roethlisberger passing for 537 yards with five touchdowns as well as an interception and Mendenhall scoring three TDs. The defence had 10 sacks and five interceptions.
Making matters worse for that Browns, the Steelers are playing well and therefore are healthy - something Cleveland can't claim.
Pittsburgh has held its latter competitors to single numbers and forced eight turnovers throughout its winning streak for only getting four in the first nine games.
Offensively, the Steelers are calculating 116.3 hurrying yards within their last three games after calculating 86.3 within their previous three.
"It's getting nearer to the 2010 nfl playoffs and it is time for all of us to obtain better," stated Wallace, who leads the Steelers in receptions (58), receiving yards (977) and receiving TDs (8).
Pittsburgh did take part in the final 75 % Sunday without LaMarr Woodley due to a tender left hamstring, but a part of that decision had related to the synergy 28-7 at halftime. He's likely to play Thursday, and again may find themself around the sideline together with his synergy large.
The Browns had little luck moving the ball Sunday against Baltimore's vaunted defence, finishing with 233 yards, including 59 on the floor. Cleveland's defence also could not stop the run, permitting the Ravens to accrue 290 hurrying yards.
"You need thick skin along with a short memory, and also you move ahead,Inch coach Pat Shurmur stated.
The Browns, 30th as a whole offence (290.7 yards per game) are planning for the same make of football, however, in the Steelers, who're first as a whole defence (273.8), and running the ball with increased consistency.
"It will likely be real tough," cornerback Sheldon Brown stated. "Both of them are physical football teams and also you know they are going to possess a physical presence through the contest."
It'll be even harder with Colt McCoy having fun with the right knee sprain.
McCoy was hurt Sunday on the hit by Ravens defensive finish Arthur Rhodes. Although he skipped just one play, the injuries was considered severe enough to help keep him sideline with this game. He's now likely to start, but his mobility will probably be limited.
McCoy, -7 inside the division, has tossed for less than 200 yards in three straight games, but has not received much help - Cleveland leads the league with 35 dropped passes.
Younger crowd may be without Peyton Hillis again following the running back strained his stylish against Baltimore. Hillis rushed for 45 yards on 12 carries and caught a pass for 52 yards in the second game back after missing five straight having a hamstring injuries.
The surging Steelers turn to win for that eighth amount of time in nine games and continue their dominance within the sputtering Browns on Thursday evening at Heinz Area (8:20 p.m. ET).
Pittsburgh's only blemish in the last eight games - a 23-20 loss to Baltimore on November. 6 - diminish its likelihood of winning a 4th division title in 5 years. The Steelers (9-3) are tied using the Ravens atop wholesale nfl jerseys its northern border, but getting been taken by their archrivals, Pittsburgh must finish having a better record to win the division.
Cleveland (4-8) might have assisted the Steelers on Sunday having a home game against Baltimore, although not remarkably arrived on the scene with another sluggish performance and lost 24-10, shedding to three-18 within the division since 2008.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, come up with among its best performances of year Sunday, beating Cincinnati 35-7 because of its third straight victory. Ben Roethlisberger put for 176 yards and 2 scores to Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall had two touchdowns and James Harrison collected three sacks to guide a defense that held the Bengals to some season-low point total.
"Fundamental essentials games that will place you in spot to build your run," linebacker James Farrior stated. "We are just attempting to keep up within the division."
The Steelers have the symptoms of a high probability to help keep pace with Baltimore.
Pittsburgh, which finishes its season at Cleveland, also visits NFC West-champion Bay Area and hosts two-win St. Louis. The Ravens have games at North Park and Cincinnati and home contests against Cleveland and winless Indiana.
Neither team seems to possess a difficult remaining schedule, but because of the Steelers' history using the Browns, they might come with an edge.
Pittsburgh has won 14 of 15 against Cleveland and seven consecutively at Heinz Area since a 33-13 reduction in 2003. It's won the final three in Pittsburgh by typically 20.7 points.
Within the two conferences last season, the Steelers outscored the Browns 69-19, with Roethlisberger passing for 537 yards with five touchdowns as well as an interception and Mendenhall scoring three TDs. The defence had 10 sacks and five interceptions.
Making matters worse for that Browns, the Steelers are playing well and therefore are healthy - something Cleveland can't claim.
Pittsburgh has held its latter competitors to single numbers and forced eight turnovers throughout its winning streak for only getting four in the first nine games.
Offensively, the Steelers are calculating 116.3 hurrying yards within their last three games after calculating 86.3 within their previous three.
"It's getting nearer to the 2010 nfl playoffs and it is time for all of us to obtain better," stated Wallace, who leads the Steelers in receptions (58), receiving yards (977) and receiving TDs (8).
Pittsburgh did take part in the final 75 % Sunday without LaMarr Woodley due to a tender left hamstring, but a part of that decision had related to the synergy 28-7 at halftime. He's likely to play Thursday, and again may find themself around the sideline together with his synergy large.
The Browns had little luck moving the ball Sunday against Baltimore's vaunted defence, finishing with 233 yards, including 59 on the floor. Cleveland's defence also could not stop the run, permitting the Ravens to accrue 290 hurrying yards.
"You need thick skin along with a short memory, and also you move ahead,Inch coach Pat Shurmur stated.
The Browns, 30th as a whole offence (290.7 yards per game) are planning for the same make of football, however, in the Steelers, who're first as a whole defence (273.8), and running the ball with increased consistency.
"It will likely be real tough," cornerback Sheldon Brown stated. "Both of them are physical football teams and also you know they are going to possess a physical presence through the contest."
It'll be even harder with Colt McCoy having fun with the right knee sprain.
McCoy was hurt Sunday on the hit by Ravens defensive finish Arthur Rhodes. Although he skipped just one play, the injuries was considered severe enough to help keep him sideline with this game. He's now likely to start, but his mobility will probably be limited.
McCoy, -7 inside the division, has tossed for less than 200 yards in three straight games, but has not received much help - Cleveland leads the league with 35 dropped passes.
Younger crowd may be without Peyton Hillis again following the running back strained his stylish against Baltimore. Hillis rushed for 45 yards on 12 carries and caught a pass for 52 yards in the second game back after missing five straight having a hamstring injuries.
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