Steelers' blitz offers test for Colts
An interesting subplot to Monday night's AFC showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers figures to be a chess match pitting two expert strategists.
Pittsburgh will be in the attack mode the second it enters the RCA Dome. Its trademark is a blitzing, disruptive 3-4 defense. Quarterback Peyton Manning generally responds to that type of pressure with the necessary pre-snap adjustments, and a hot hand of his own.
Consider it one of those strength-on-strength situations.
"For us it's been about execution,'' Manning said. "Our execution has been good up to this point, but just because you did something last week doesn't mean anything in the upcoming week.''
Manning is directing an offense that ranks No. 2 in total yards and No. 1 in scoring, and is averaging 39.8 points over the past five games. Credit his ability to check out of a bad play and into a better one once the defense tips its hand, and protection that has provided the required time to execute. The offensive line has allowed a league-low six sacks.
Defenses have blitzed Manning more in recent weeks than earlier in the season, and he hasn't flinched. According to ESPN.com, Manning has countered blitz situations by completing 60-of-86 passes (69.8 percent) for 795 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. That's a rating of 133.6.
But now comes the Steelers and their defense. It ranks No. 6 in total yards, No. 3 against the run and No. 3 in points allowed. It's pressure personified, limiting opposing QBs to a 71.1 rating and 59.6 completion rate. While there's a definite method to their mayhem, the Steelers are adept at disguising it.
"They have a lot of interchangeable parts, guys that can blitz and cover,'' coach Tony Dungy said, noting Pittsburgh's similarity to New England in that regard.
The Steelers try to confuse offenses by alternating their blitzers and the origination of the blitz. Pittsburgh's 30 sacks, which rank fifth in the league, have come from 15 players. The linebackers have generated 17, with the defensive line chipping in six and the DBs seven.
"You're always wondering if there's going to be a free guy, if you have to throw fast,'' Dungy said.
Some teams counter "Blitzburgh'' by reinforcing pass protection with additional blockers. The Colts seldom rely on "max'' protection, opting to utilize four or five receiving options on every play and trust their normal protection schemes.
Against the Steelers, it's imperative to recognize the blitz, and block it. If the Colts can keep Manning "clean,'' he likely will have one-on-one matchups in the passing game to exploit.
"This will be the stiffest challenge that we have because this is a football team that if you do take some chances, if you do expose yourself, (Manning) will find it and I think he's done that with every team he's played,'' Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said.
A key component to the Steelers' defensive success has been limiting big plays. They've allowed only seven runs of at least 15 yards, none in the past four games, and 14 receptions that have gained at least 25 yards.
The Colts counter with an offense that is beginning to regain its big-play capabilities. In Sunday's 45-37 win at Cincinnati, Manning completed four passes that picked up at least 21 yards -- a 66-yard touchdown to Reggie Wayne, a 56-yard catch and 21-yard touchdown by Dallas Clark, and a 24-yard hookup with Brandon Stokley.
Cowher noted it's imperative the Steelers pick their spots when blitzing Manning. It's also important for the Colts to be selective.
"You can have some matchups you can throw,'' Dungy said, "but a lot of people can't get it figured out and can't get the people blocked.
"And that can make for a long day.''
Pittsburgh will be in the attack mode the second it enters the RCA Dome. Its trademark is a blitzing, disruptive 3-4 defense. Quarterback Peyton Manning generally responds to that type of pressure with the necessary pre-snap adjustments, and a hot hand of his own.
Consider it one of those strength-on-strength situations.
"For us it's been about execution,'' Manning said. "Our execution has been good up to this point, but just because you did something last week doesn't mean anything in the upcoming week.''
Manning is directing an offense that ranks No. 2 in total yards and No. 1 in scoring, and is averaging 39.8 points over the past five games. Credit his ability to check out of a bad play and into a better one once the defense tips its hand, and protection that has provided the required time to execute. The offensive line has allowed a league-low six sacks.
Defenses have blitzed Manning more in recent weeks than earlier in the season, and he hasn't flinched. According to ESPN.com, Manning has countered blitz situations by completing 60-of-86 passes (69.8 percent) for 795 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. That's a rating of 133.6.
But now comes the Steelers and their defense. It ranks No. 6 in total yards, No. 3 against the run and No. 3 in points allowed. It's pressure personified, limiting opposing QBs to a 71.1 rating and 59.6 completion rate. While there's a definite method to their mayhem, the Steelers are adept at disguising it.
"They have a lot of interchangeable parts, guys that can blitz and cover,'' coach Tony Dungy said, noting Pittsburgh's similarity to New England in that regard.
The Steelers try to confuse offenses by alternating their blitzers and the origination of the blitz. Pittsburgh's 30 sacks, which rank fifth in the league, have come from 15 players. The linebackers have generated 17, with the defensive line chipping in six and the DBs seven.
"You're always wondering if there's going to be a free guy, if you have to throw fast,'' Dungy said.
Some teams counter "Blitzburgh'' by reinforcing pass protection with additional blockers. The Colts seldom rely on "max'' protection, opting to utilize four or five receiving options on every play and trust their normal protection schemes.
Against the Steelers, it's imperative to recognize the blitz, and block it. If the Colts can keep Manning "clean,'' he likely will have one-on-one matchups in the passing game to exploit.
"This will be the stiffest challenge that we have because this is a football team that if you do take some chances, if you do expose yourself, (Manning) will find it and I think he's done that with every team he's played,'' Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said.
A key component to the Steelers' defensive success has been limiting big plays. They've allowed only seven runs of at least 15 yards, none in the past four games, and 14 receptions that have gained at least 25 yards.
The Colts counter with an offense that is beginning to regain its big-play capabilities. In Sunday's 45-37 win at Cincinnati, Manning completed four passes that picked up at least 21 yards -- a 66-yard touchdown to Reggie Wayne, a 56-yard catch and 21-yard touchdown by Dallas Clark, and a 24-yard hookup with Brandon Stokley.
Cowher noted it's imperative the Steelers pick their spots when blitzing Manning. It's also important for the Colts to be selective.
"You can have some matchups you can throw,'' Dungy said, "but a lot of people can't get it figured out and can't get the people blocked.
"And that can make for a long day.''
posted by Kevin at
1:32 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home