Stillers vs. Bungals Pregame Analysis (Wild Card Playoff Game, @� Cinci)
The 11-5 Stillers travel to the
* When the Bungals have
the ball, they�ll bring an offense that is 5 times more explosive than any
of the creampuffs offenses that the Stillers have faced the past 4 games, or,
in other words, since the Stillers lost to these same Bungals
on Dec. 4, 38-31.��
Chad Johnson gets all the press and hoopla, but as I�ve
often pointed out, TJ Houshmanzada is 1 of the most
underrated players, period, in all of the NFL, and a dangerous threat both in
RAC as well as downfield routes.� The
Stillers have generally done a solid job this season of shutting down
opponents� the #1 WR, but they�ve been downright shabby when it comes to
shutting down a good #2 receiver that has a good QB chucking the pill.�� Then, there�s #3 WR Chris Henry to round out
this enormously deep WR corps.� Henry had
6 TDs on the season and has established a rapport
with Palmer as a reliable target.�� Rudi
isn�t shabby as a pass catcher � he snared 23 balls � but the Bungals prefer to get the ball to fleet RB Chris Perry, who
grabbed 51 passes.�
The Bungals like a TE by committee
approach, with Kelly, Schoebel, and Stewart worked
into the mix.� None are superstars, but
all are reliable and Cinci gets good use of this
platoon.�
RB Rudi Johnson had a superb season and is a key cog to the Bungal offense.� He�s
not the slashing type of runner that gives the Stillers problems, but he�s a
load that can bull and plow for extra yardage, and he�s by no means slow or
clumsy.�
The strength of the O-line is obviously at the tackles.� Willie Anderson and Levi Jones both had good
seasons and were at the root foundation of the successful Cinci
passing attach.�
The key matchup will be the
Stiller secondary on Housemanad and Henry.� As noted above, the Stillers have done a
solid, workmanlike effort on the opposing #1 receiver.� It�s the #2 and #2 WRs
of Cinci that concern me, and the Stiller nickel
defense and dime defense must contain and limit, or it will be a long day.� Rudi is a load at RB, but I believe the
Stillers can limit him to the 80-90 yard range and prevent him from running
wild.�
* When the Stillers have the ball, the
offense will be its healthiest in weeks.�
Marvel Smith is back and fairly healthy at LT, and the remainder of the
offense is the same starting corps.� Willie
Parker had a solid regular season finish, replete with some long-ball plays
that give the Stillers some home-run hitting ability.�
Defense is the obvious Achilles heel of this Bungal team.�
Problems abound, and they are mostly evident up front, in the front 7,
where the Bungals� insufficient brawn and stoutless POA (point of attack) play causes them to
experience the same thing that roadkill does before
death.� Cinci
has overcome this flaw by its offense forcing opponents to scrap the ground
game and go airborne.� Or, as in the case
of Cinci #2, the Bungals
stacked the line and basically goaded the Stillers into a heavy passing
mode.� The one absolute stud is rookie
MLB Odell Thurman, who had a superb rookie campaign and turned in a truly dominating
performance in meeting #2.�
The Bungals secondary isn�t
terribly gifted, but they are a ballhawking crew that
has compiled a nice season.� The key to
this secondary�s success is its ability to sit on
routes and hawk after the ball.� I�ve
seen this Cinci secondary numerous times during the
season, and I believe they�re susceptible deep.�
Conversely, if your offense is limiting itself to 15-yard curls, Cinci has enough veteran savvy to jump routes and pick the
pig.�
The key matchup will be Parker
and the O-line versus the Cinci front 7.� I think meeting #2, in which the Stillers
went �pass happy� (they weren�t necessarily pass happy; they simply
�passed more than they threw and
didn�t do it in an effective manner) left a bad taste in Cowhard�s
mouth.� Until Cinci
stacks, say, 10 men on the LOS, look for plenty of plunging.�
* Special Teams: �Though ok, neither of the �Perry Bros.� are especially dangerous in the return game.� Shane Graham is a solid kicker.� This being the playoffs, there�s always a high
probability of a Stillers spec teams fiasco.��
Key Individual Matchups:
* OLB Joey Porter vs, LT Eric
Steinbach.� The praise and fawning over
Porter�s supposedly dominant play has reached Titanic proportions.� Now�s the time for Joey The
Mouth to put some bite in his bark.� ��
* CB Deltha Oneal vs. WR Hines Ward.� Although he could, I don�t think that Lewis
will have O�Neal shadow Ward everywhere, but even if he doesn�t, O�neal will still draw Ward quite often.� Ward torched the Bungals
in Cinci #2 and is obviously the key to the Stillers�
passing attach.� O�Neal sat ut lsat
week�s tilt to rest an achy knee, but is now fine and is listed as
probable.� This will be an immensely
critical matchup.�
Intangibles:
* The Bungals were tight as a drum
going into the first meeting, led by Marv Lewis� bizarro decision to prohibit his players from talking with
the media.� Sure, Lewis has a lot of
loudmouths -- led by Chadly Lewis --but ya correct the root problem, not create another one by
choking up your team and making them meek and timid.� The Bungals were much
looser in meeting 2, at Heinz Field, and it showed in their victory.� Now, playing their first playoff game in this
millennium, at home, look for the Bungals to again be
as tight as a drum.�
* Billy Cowhard.� When it comes to playoff football, no one
does less, with more, than Billy Cowhard.
* Synopsis: As with any playoff game
involving Bilbo Cowher, you can, and should, expect plenty o� slop n�
slather.� Cowhard
has also been pitiful on the road in the playoffs, with a shameful 0-3
record.� However, the Bungals
are ripe for the beating, and this Stiller team is
veteran-laden and experienced enough to overcome Cowhard�s
follies against the Bungals.�� This
prediction isn�t based on the Stillers being overly good, but rather the Bungals being timid in their virgin playoff foray.� Stillers 26, Bungals 19.�