The Vikings will get their 7th win. Probably. But it wasn't going to be in Pittsburgh. In what was touted as one of the best games of the week turned into a defensive stranglehold. But this Steelers win, like many, was quite flawed.
What the Steelers did right: They won the battle of field position. The Steelers average start was the 29. The Vikings average start was the 24. And when it absolutely had to be taken care of, the defense delivered with BIG PLAYS. Woodley's fumble for a TD, and Fox's interception for a TD where the two pivotal points in this game. And no single running back has had 100 or more yards against the Steelers defense in 25 games now.
What the Steelers did wrong: Special teams put 'Special' back in the name special teams. A kick-off returned for a TD? C'mon! Mendenhall should have known better than to leap. They don't call the running game the ground game for nothing! The Steelers did get killed in the flats. It was the best and most effective way the Vikings moved the ball. Red Zone efficiency was in the toilet tonight as well.
There were some weird calls in this game also. Heath Miller's offensive PI was a good call. The offensive player can not cause a defensive player to not be able to be involved in the play. While it was great watching Heath knock someone to the ground, it was a good call. Early on, it appeared there were two Viking fumbles. The reality is that the ground can not cause a fumble. Especially when it's a 40-year old QB. But as omens would have it, the defense did create legitimate turnovers and won the game on them.
Sorry for your luck, Katie. The Steeler curse will continue to haunt you.
Well, I'm taking next week off. Although it is great writing the old blog again. I will be keeping it up this time around.
GNW
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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