Steelers vs. Colts Post Game Thoughts

After only winning one �2^nd Playoff game� in the Cowher era (vs. Indy, 1995), the Stillers pull off perhaps their most impressive playoff win under Cowher.� Sure, Indy had a chance to win the game, but only because a a couple of plays:� The BS call on the Troy INT�.The NFL Officiators admitted today that the overrule was incorrect.� I hope that guy is relegated to pretzel duty. Can you imagine if the Stillers lost?� The other play, of course, was the very disconcerting fumble by the BUS.� But at the minimum, it is gratifying to know that the Steelers OUTPLAYED the �best� team (or at least a very good team) in the NFL, at their house, in most every phase of the game� and dare a say outcoached?!?!?� For once, yes.

Peyton Manning agrees, making statements such as: �Pittsburgh did some things that caused us not to execute as well�.give them the credit�

Of course there were a couple of major defensive lapses, most notably, the overrun by Troy on the Dallas Clark TD.� Troy had 2 other defenders ahead of him and he ran to their side of the ball while Clark took a left turn and run for the TD. However, they had fewer lapses than most games and most other teams, limiting Indy to 305 total yards, only 2 touchdowns, and taking away the big plays from their WRs for the most part.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the whole game was the opening drive, going all through the air and executing near perfectly (besides the opening drop by El, but he made up for it with a nice TD grab on a ball thrown a little behind him).� This was a clear indication that the Steelers were willing, for once, to make drastic adjustments to their game plan as opposed to sticking to the run like a badge of honor, even if it doesn�t give you the best chance to win.� I was impressed that they stuck with the �pass then run� ALMOST for the whole game, but in the 4^th qtr, I would have liked to see a few play action passes mixed in.�� This was my only major gripe as, while the Steelers moved the chains and ran down the clock effectively, they did not try enough pass plays in the 4^th qtr to try and ice the game.� Yes, Indy�s secondary did play better in the 2^nd half, but some play action on their side of the field is not that risky.��

Barring that terrible fumble by Bettis, the Steelers played a tight, focused game�. Here are few stats that should bolster their confidence next Sunday:

---No false starts

---Only 2 penalties for 8 total yards,

---No big kickoff, or punt returns.

---2 big 4^th down conversions

My favorite stat was 5 sacks, the most against Manning all season.

***

I love Bettis, and I�m thinking he can come back for one more year, but that fumble was INEXCUSABLE.� This was not some fluke, but bad technique by Jerome.� He starts with both hands on the ball, but as he makes his cut towards the endzone, his left hand comes off the ball, leaving it exposed for the helmet hit.� Bettis fumbled in last years playoffs against the Jets AND New England.� But then he didn�t have a lost fumble ALL YEAR this year.� Now this one, and at the worst possible time.� Has he learned his lesson?� You would think he would have after last year�s playoffs.

The play of the game of course, was Big Ben�s tackle on Harper during the fumble return.� We would have been down by 4 points with a minute left otherwise. �My runner-up play was McFadden defending against Wayne in the final minute in the corner of the endzone.� Wayne almost caught the ball 3 different times and McFadden kept scrapping with him, with great coverage.

***

Well we are off to Denver to play the Broncos, who played an �OK� game against the Pats and got lots of help on their win.� If Denver and the Stillers play at the same level they both played this weekend, the Stillers are Super Bowl bound.� Denver�s run D can be compared to Indy, but their pass defense is slightly different and they will most likely play better then Indy�s secondary just did.� Will they adjust their game plan again?

I look forward to a great game and a great chance at one for the thumb�. And BUS� 2 HANDS PLEASE!!

Go Steelers!