9/28/17-GAME DAY PREVIEW Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers fell to the Bears last week in a game that will be remembered as much for their poor play as it will for the team not taking the field for the National Anthem. A lot of talk has been about that decision to remain in the locker room and hopefully for the black and gold, it’s not causing too much of a distraction during Ravens week.

The Steelers find themselves 2-1 and tied for first with their most bitter rival, Baltimore, in a game that requires them to go on the road with both teams having come off a devastating loss. Baltimore and Pittsburgh both were embarrassed last week and should come out hungry for a victory. It may be early in the season but there is a lot on the line for these two enemies.

These are the keys to a Steelers victory:

1. Unfortunately, it’s the off-field stuff that starts it off. The Steelers cannot let all of the outside noise surrounding the anthem hinder their preparation and focus for the Ravens game this week. If it interrupted any of their time, any of their preparation or even creeps into their heads on game day, it could spell trouble.
2. Le’Veon Bell needs to be the focal point of the offense. He needs to be given the ball 20 times on the ground and another five to eight times in the air. The long passes downfield for incompletions need to be eliminated and replaced with plays for Bell. He can control the clock and the tempo, if given the chance.
3. After last week, the run defense better step up. It was gashed up and down the field and looked like it had more holes than swiss cheese. They cannot allow the Ravens to do to them what the Bears did. To me, part of that can be solved by giving James Harrison some more playing time. It’s beyond me as to why the man who led this team in sacks and was a beast last season has played a total of seven snaps this season through three weeks.
4. The special teams play will be critical this week. I anticipate a very low scoring and close affair and in those types of games; special teams make the difference. It’s not just Chris Boswell making his kicks; it’s punt coverage, kick coverage as well as the returns the Steelers get. The battle for field position will decide the outcome of this contest.

Here are a few items to watch:

1. The National Anthem-The team says they are coming out and standing for it this week but after last weeks’ fiasco, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
2. I am interested to see how Ben Roetlisberger responds this week. He came on his radio show this week and echoed what I said last week, he needs to spread the ball around. Let’s hope he does because the offense has been pretty stagnant all season and some of that blame falls on his shoulders.
3. I’m expecting Le’Veon Bell to blow up this week. I think he’s on the cusp and ready to lead the charge. I’m looking for close to 100 yards rushing and another 50 receiving out of him.
4. Watch all of the hard hits, trash talk and general disdain the teams have for each other. This is not a rivalry that is specific to just the people in the seats, this one plays out on the field as well.

I expect this game to be very hard hitting, sloppy at times and low scoring. Both teams need this win after an utterly embarrassing showing last week. In this series it’s usually three or four points that separate the combatants at games end and I don’t see why it will be any different this time around. I tend to give the home team the advantage when these teams face off and I’m going to do so again this week as I see the Ravens coming out on top in this one 17-13.

9/26/17-PODCAST Steel Nation Radio – Bears Wrap and Ravens Preview

By: Mike Pelaia

I flew solo on Steel Nation Radio to discuss the Bears loss, the National Anthem fiasco and preview the Ravens game.  

Take a listen right here: 

9/25/17-Where’s The Intensity

By: Mike Pelaia

Three games. It’s not a large sample size, I’ll admit that but sometimes three games is enough to see an issue or two and in the case of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first one that I see is a lack of intensity.

Sure, they’ve won two of those three games and are tied for first place at 2-1 with the Baltimore Ravens, a team they will travel to face this coming Sunday; but their one loss was an absolute dud to a very poor Bears team (though the way they pounded the Steelers this past Sunday you wouldn’t know how bad they really are) and their two wins were unimpressive, at best.

Why haven’t the black and gold come out here and played like the team that said they were dedicating the season to Dan Rooney? They appear flat, un-inspired and relatively disinterested. Only Antonio Brown has shown true heart and a desire to give his all on every play, something he was criticized for not doing in 2016.

I expected a huge year out of Ben Roethlisberger and I still do but it hasn’t happened yet. Whether it’s him, Todd Haley, or both, the play calling has been marginal, the execution has been a bit off and the production is below the standard that Ben has created for himself. Look, he’s been decent, far from the Steelers biggest problem but it’s his job to make better decisions and lead this team in a more organized manner. That hasn’t happened yet.  Right now, I don’t have confidence that Ben isn’t just going to go for the home run ball 50 yards down the field two out of every three plays. If it was working even half the time, great, I’d be all for that play remaining in the repertoire but since it continues to come up empty on most occasions, Roethlisberger needs to dial it back and get back to the basics that make this offense great.

Some of that can’t be done without Le’Veon Bell running the ball more effectively than he has. He did bump his yards per carry average up to 4.1 this past Sunday but only had 61 yards on 15 carries. He needs the ball more than that and even those 61 yards were not the typical yards gained by Bell. He’s not getting big plays, he’s not utilizing his trade mark patience as often as he has in the past and he’s not finding the holes as easily. 

Is all of this due to the starters missing time due to holdouts, injuries, rest or general days off in the pre-season? I don’t believe it is. I think there is a case for some of this to be attributed to that but three games in, that rust needs to go away. The good teams, no matter how little they have played together, find ways to beat the inferior teams, usually soundly. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they haven’t shown they are a superior team, to date.

There is a palpable lack of intensity. That fire is missing. It may be an assumption that they are just going to roll over everybody. It may be individual agendas getting in the way. It may very well be that Mike Tomlin is not motivating this team appropriately and doesn’t have his finger truly on the pulse of his squad. I’ll say all three of those are reasons the intensity hasn’t been there yet and it needs to be rectified now.

The Steelers travel to Baltimore this week, a team who was just embarrassed in London to a very low expectation Jaguar team. The Ravens are going to come home hungry and looking for revenge. It’s early but first place is on the line between these two bitter rivals. I trust that John Harbaugh will have his team amped up for this game and I would like to believe Mike Tomlin will too but I don’t think I can trust it until I see it at this point.

I’m hoping the black and gold don’t leave me asking the question this coming Sunday that I’ve asked myself the last three; “Where’s the intensity?”

9/22/17-GAME DAY – Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers have begun their quest for Seven with a relatively unimpressive 2-0 start. Yet, 2-0 is exactly where they wanted to be at this point and they’ll be the first to tell you that it doesn’t matter how you get the wins, as long as you win. While I’d agree that winning is the most important aspect, I’d have to say that how you win or at least how you play, is indicative of how good you are at any given point in the season. Right now, though 2-0, I don’t think the Steelers are a great football team. They have work to do and it needs to begin this week, when they travel to the 0-2 Chicago Bears.

The Bears are bad, there is just no other way to put it. They have little to no expectations this season and despite being 12-1 all time against the Steelers at home, they are heavy underdogs to the black and gold this Sunday.

In my opinion, the Bears cannot beat the Steelers this Sunday but the Steelers can beat themselves.

Here are the keys to victory:

1. I said this in my podcast earlier this week but it’s worth repeating, the black and gold cannot look towards the Ravens game next week, overlooking the Bears this week.  There is no faster way for this team to cost themselves the game than automatically assuming it’s in the bag.
2. I have said this the previous two weeks and unfortunately I have to say it again, they have to limit the penalties. 13 penalties in week 1 and 10 in week 2 are not acceptable numbers. I hope and expect to see improvement this week in Chicago.
3. If the Steelers commit multiple turnovers, specifically in their own territory, that will allow the Bears to hang around. The last thing a heavy favorite ever wants to do is allow the underdog to remain in the game and gain confidence.
4. I believe Ben Roethlisberger needs to spread the ball out to more receivers. 32% of all his passes are going to Antonio Brown, making it a slight bit easier for opposing defenses to game plan for. Getting more balls to Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers or Le’Veon Bell would be a good way to keep the Bears defense honest.

Here are a Few Things to Watch:

1. Le’Veon Bell has 234 catches through his first 49 career games played. The Steelers record is 236 catches through 50 games, set by Antonio Brown. If Bell picks up three catches, he’ll break the record, which I find extremely impressive considering Bell is a running back!
2. James Harrison has played a total of four plays in the first two weeks. He didn’t appear thrilled about it after the Vikings game. I expect him to get on the field a little bit more this week and you better believe he’ll let the Bears know he’s out there.
3. It’s my expectation that Ben is going to spread the ball out more this week and what I’m very interested to see, assuming this occurs, is how Antonio Brown reacts. He’s never been too fond of not getting a lot of catches each week and should his catch total drop, will he pout or will he be a team player this go round?
4. I just have a hunch that Artie Burns is going to have a big day. I’m looking for a pick out of him and a few pass deflections as well.

The Steelers should win this game fairly easily, unless they shoot themselves in the foot. They are the far superior team and really do need to use this game to get their act together in terms of the mental lapses they’ve made through two weeks.  I think they’ll get the job done and will operate on all cylinders this week with a win over the Bears 34-12.

9/19/17-PODCAST Wrapping Up The Vikings Game and Talking Chicago

By: Mike Pelaia

I flew solo on this latest addition of Steel Nation Radio to discuss the status of the Steelers after two weeks and what I expect in week three.

Give it a listen right here: 

9/18/17-Time For Ben To Spread The Ball Around

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers find themselves 2-0 after two weeks with a game in Chicago on the horizon. One would think they will leave the Windy City 3-0; barring an absolutely catastrophic day by all units.

Yet through two weeks, the offense, despite winning their last game by 17 points, hasn’t been impressive. Ben Roethlisberger, while sharp, completing 66.2% of his passes for 506 yards and four touchdowns vs. one interception, hasn’t shown a lot of trust in his receivers yet, aside from Antonio Brown of course.

It’s hard to blame Ben after that disastrous display by the receiving unit in the AFC Championship game this past January. Who can forget all of the drops and misplays by the guys that were running around out there, not named Brown. Obviously, Ben can’t.

In 2017 Ben has thrown the ball 70 times, 22 of those attempts have been to Brown, or 31.4% of the balls thrown, nearly a third of all of his attempts go Browns way. On one hand, it’s hard to argue throwing the ball to Brown that often, he is, after all, the best receiver in football and he and Ben have an obvious connection that is hard to find with even the most perfect of pairings. The production is there and through two weeks the record is there as well.

Yet, it’s an easy way to become one dimensional, a way for the defense to know what you’re doing nearly a third of the passing plays and this time, it needs to be different. This isn’t the AFC Championship game, Cobi Hamilton and Sammie Coates aren’t out there anymore. Instead, I believe you have a second number one receiver in Martavis Bryant who is just as fast, if not faster than Brown. He’s bigger than Brown, he’s got almost as good of hands as Brown and the best part is, he forces teams from doubling Brown…if you get him the ball.

That started to happen in the Minnesota game and I think you’ll see it happen even more when the black and gold take on the Bears this coming Sunday. Bryant put up 91 yards against the Vikings, improving his season average to 21 yards per catch. He gives the offense a very legitimate deep threat, coupled with his 6’4 frame, he’s a great option in the red zone and on third downs. I fully expect him to be targeted close to ten times against Chicago this coming week.

But it doesn’t stop with Bryant, Ben can’t forget about Le’Veon Bell. As Bell continues to get his legs back in the running game, he can be utilized in the passing attack, providing a safety for Ben when no other receivers are open or in short yardage situations. Bell has been a very valuable asset in the passing game over the years and he needs to be utilized more in that fashion this season. In Chicago, Bell will catch around eight balls for 50 yards. I see it coming. Ben is regaining trust in the guys he didn’t have with him on the field in New England, that cold January night that ended Pittsburgh’s season and sent Roethlisberger into the retirement talk.

I’m in no way suggesting he forget about Brown. Brown is still good for 8 catches a game and 100 yards but if Ben can target his other guys more often, the defenses won’t be able to focus on Brown nearly as often and the offense will begin to explode. Despite the 17 point victory this past week, this offense is far from what it can be and this is a fast way to jumpstart this unit into becoming an historic offense.

As the team enters their third week, it’s time for Ben to spread the ball around and put his trust in guys not named Antonio Brown, if he does, the team will be better for it.

9/14/17-PODCAST SPECIAL CHARITY AUCTION FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

By: Mike Pelaia

You may have heard by now that we are running an auction for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh with Total Sports Enterprises. You can visit www.pittsburghcharityauctions.com to bid on any and all of these amazing sports memorabilia and movie items.

You can also listen to our podcast about the benefit right here: 

9/14/17-Steelers Game Day – Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers Preview

By: Mike Pelaia

The black and gold opened the season 1-0 with a 21-18 victory over the seemingly improved Cleveland Browns this past Sunday.  While the team won the game, they did appear rusty, undisciplined and in some ways, unprepared and as they get ready to welcome the Minnesota Vikings to town for their home opener this coming Sunday, they know they have work to do.

The Vikings are coming off an impressive performance out of Sam Bradford against the Saints on Monday night, one, that I quite frankly was shocked by.  I don’t think that’s the Sam Bradford the Steelers will see on Sunday, but I do believe that’s the one they better prepare for. He was accurate and on top of his game and the Steelers secondary better be watching film this week in an effort to avoid embarrassment, something the Saints were unable to do.

If the Steelers want to win the game on Sunday, these are my keys to victory:

1. I believe the first key to success this week vs. Minnesota is controlling the clock.  Considering the rushing arsenal the Steelers possess; I was disappointed to see them lose the time of possession battle last week. Had they been playing a more talented team, I fully believe they would have lost, in large part due to the lack of ball control. They must increase the amount of running plays called and Le’Veon Bell needs to have a far better game than he did a week ago.
2. I said it last week and unfortunately, I’ll need to say it again. They cannot make the stupid mental errors. Thirteen penalties for 144 yards is completely unacceptable. I understand it was week one and I also understand the starters didn’t play much in the pre-season but I can’t accept those as excuses. I blame a lack of discipline and that finger must point squarely at Mike Tomlin. Tomlin said it will improve but I think I’ve heard that before, I think he better do something about that this time, and soon, this team is special but a lack of discipline leading to mental errors and penalties will kill a team in the long run.
3. The defense will need to continue to apply the pressure they did in Cleveland. I’m not saying they have to pick up seven sacks again but I do believe that the best way to slow Sam Bradford down is to apply pressure. We’ve all seen Bradford make bad throws and get rattled when being pressured over the years and I think this is a big key to stopping that Vikings offense this week.
4. I believe the final key is involving Martavis Bryant. Antonio Brown is the best receiver in football but the Vikings will do their best to not allow him to do to them what he did to Cleveland. So, what should the Steelers do? They should get Bryant involved, early and often.

Here are a few things to watch for this Sunday:

1. I think we all need to watch Le’Veon Bell. I don’t think he or anyone with a pulse expected the lack of production that occurred last week and I want to personally see how he responds. My expectation is 75 yards on the ground and another 40 in the air.
2. I’m also very interested in seeing TJ Watt apply pressure on Sam Bradford. I’m predicting that Watt will not get a sack this week but I look for him to have 10 tackles in another monster game.
3. I’m also looking at Vince Williams this week. I stated before the season began that Williams would lead the team in tackles this year and I’m sticking with that. He’s going to get his chance to pick up his share of tackles with Dalvin Cook getting at least 20 carries on Sunday.
4. Lastly, I want to watch Sam Bradford. I don’t believe what I’m seeing out of him and I want to see how he matches up against the Steelers secondary. Honestly, if Bradford continues the play he had last year and again this past week, even if Teddy Bridgewater does come back to starter caliber levels, it won’t be in Minnesota.

It’s going to be a harder contest than I originally thought when I first looked at the schedule this offseason but I think if the Steelers stick to their game plan, keep from making horrible mental errors and run the ball more effectively, they will win this ball game and advance to 2-0. My score prediction has the black and gold coming out on top in this one by the score of 27-20.

 

9/12/17-PODCAST Steel Nation Radio’s Last And First Look

By: Mike Pelaia

I sat down with Brian Roach of www.steelcityunderground.com to discuss the Browns game one last time and we also take a first look into the Vikings game.

Take a listen right here: 

9/11/17-The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

By: Mike Pelaia

You know the score by now, the Steelers won their season opener 21-18.  Most of you probably watched the game, as I did. And I’ll bet most of you didn’t have that overwhelming feeling of excitement after having seen that win. I sat there after the game for a bit and pondered what I just witnessed. I know they won but why didn’t the feelings come across as such?  Well, the more I thought about it, the more it became apparent; while the black and gold showed some good in the victory over the Browns, they mixed in a good bit of bad and ugly as well, making the victory seem a bit hollow.

THE GOOD:

The good, or even great, if you will, aside from the fact that the Steelers escaped with a victory, was Antonio Brown.  I have long felt as though he is the best wide receiver in football and I believe that notion was further amplified with his 11 catches on 11 targets for 182 yards. Not statistically measured are the one handed catch or the acrobatic grab he made in-between three Browns defenders. Brown is a beast and a guy this team can count on week in and week out.

TJ Watt was also fantastic in his NFL debut as he certainly exceeded my expectations. I projected a sack for the rookie but there was no way I could have predicted two sacks, an interception and seven tackles, tied for the team lead. He even shifted to the D line for a bit to replace Stephon Tuitt when he went down.

The defense as a whole has to get credit for the amount of pressure they were able to apply to Deshone Kizer and specifically the seven sacks that pressure netted them. That’s one of the better performances they have had in a long time.

Lastly, I have to include the outlaw Jesse James. James proved valuable in the red zone as he snagged two touchdown passes from Big Ben and I might make the case that he was the difference in the game.

THE BAD:

It was a win but the score of 21-18 was bad. The Steelers were 9.5 point favorites and should have run away from the Browns. That didn’t happen and the Browns were in the game until the end.

The secondary allowed Kizer to pass on them far better than a rookie making his NFL debut should. He was 20-30 for 222 yards and a touchdown. I don’t find those numbers to be acceptable and I believe the black and gold should be disappointed in that output.

I’d also have to say the time of possession breakdown was poor as the Browns actually had the ball for 31 minutes compared to the 29 minutes the Steelers possessed the ball. If the black and gold played a team of quality, they would have gotten annihilated.

THE UGLY:

First and foremost I think the most telling statistic and by far the ugliest was the penalties. In my Game Day preview I noted the number one key for the Steelers was to steer clear of the stupid mistakes, specifically the penalties. What did they do? They came out and had 13 penalties for 144 yards. Many of which were the personal foul variety. I am sick and tired of the lack of discipline that this team seems to show year after year and I’d expect some changes to be made asap if this team wants to realistically contend for anything this season.

Le’Veon Bell was about as bad as he’ll ever be.  I never thought I’d see the day when Bell ran for just 32 yards but he was bad. He didn’t seem as fast as he normally is, his patience didn’t resonate into him finding any last minute holes to run through and he was a complete non factor. I don’t think this will occur moving forward but I think this was a byproduct of him missing the entire offseason and working out on his own. I don’t believe he’s in football shape or football speed yet and it showed.

Through the good (and great), the bad and the ugly; the Steelers still emerged 1-0 and now head home to play the Vikings who also opened up 1-0 in a trouncing of the Saints on Monday night. I don’t expect the Steelers to be as flat as they were on Sunday vs. Cleveland but I do expect the Vikings to be a bigger challenge than the Browns were so if the Steelers want to improve to 2-0 they better turn some of those bad and ugly attributes into good ones, and fast.

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