Chiefs Steelers: No mystery in game plan for Chiefs

oaklandhater · 12-17-2014, 08:22 PM

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201412170082

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It is not like Mike Tomlin to reveal the game plan Tuesday to the public. But here goes:

“We have to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright in this football game if we are going to have the chance to have the type of day that we need to have,” the Steelers coach said early in his news conference.

He did not even need to use his favorite word to point out the obvious because Kansas City will burst into Heinz Field tied for the sixth-most sacks in the NFL with 38. They boast the league’s co-leader — outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has 17 sacks.

Roethlisberger has been sacked 32 times, but that is on pace for the fewest sacks in his career in any season in which he has started at least 14 games. He was sacked 42 times in 16 games last season.

Houston and Co. could push that pace a lot higher.

“He is tops in the NFL in terms of applying pressure to the quarterback,” Tomlin said. “His partner in that is Tamba Hali, who is a Penn State grad. He has been around the league for a long time. He is a high-motor guy. He is a very good and instinctual player. Those two book ends, whether it’s in base defense or nickel defense, they provide a wave that creates opportunities for others. It starts there for us.”

Hali is second on the Chiefs with six sacks, giving their outside linebackers a combined 23. The entire Steelers defense has 24.

While the Steelers have done a better job protecting Roethlisberger, their best pass-blocker at right tackle, Marcus Gilbert, missed the past three games with an ankle injury. Tomlin said Gilbert might be able to play this week. If not, Mike Adams would make his fourth consecutive start at right tackle.

The solution to keeping their quarterback upright might be to run the ball. While the Chiefs are No. 2 in passing yards allowed (No. 1 in passing yards per play), they rank No. 28 against the run (No. 30 in yards rushing per play).

The Steelers offense climbed to No. 1 in total yards per game and per play and have struck the kind of balance they have long sought. Roethlisberger is second in the league in yards passing, as is his offense. Le’Veon Bell is second in yards rushing and the Steelers rank 10th in rushing yards per game and per play.

“I said repeatedly that we want to be a balanced group,” Tomlin said. “I feel that we are, so that we do what it is we need to do to win in stadiums.”

The Atlanta Falcons sold out to stop the run Sunday, and they were successful for the most part as Bell gained 47 yards on 20 carries. But Roethlisberger completed 27 of 35 passes for 360 yards and Bell ran for two touchdowns, one of 13 yards. He also caught a short pass and turned it into a 44-yard gain, one of his five receptions for 72 yards.

Not only do the Steelers have balance with the run and pass, but they also have a multidimensional back who can run, catch and block. When teams try to take away his running, he can be effective catching passes.

“They came into the game committed to minimizing Bell via the ground,” Tomlin said of the Falcons’ game plan. “I thought we were able to get some things done via the passing game because of it. We got some nice play-action pass chunks on first down. Thankfully, Le’Veon is the type of back where, even if they are minimizing him in the running game, he can have a positive contribution to our overall efforts because of his ability in the passing game. I thought he did that.”

The Chiefs are not expected to follow Atlanta’s lead and crowd the line to stop the run. They do not have that kind of personnel. If they do try, it could open up things for the NFL’s top receiver. But then, no matter what defenses have done, they have not been able to stop Antonio Brown.

“You name it, they’ve tried it,” Tomlin said. “But it’s a testament to him. But not only just him but the balance that we’ve been able to strike with our offense.

“Again, I know I sound like a broken record, but I’ve said repeatedly, we seek balance. Because balance will allow us to utilize the strengths of our high-profile players like A.B. and like Le’Veon. When we get good contributions from Heath [Miller] and Markus Wheaton and [Martavis] Bryant and Lance Moore and others when called upon, it just strengthens us and it helps us.

“We’re striking that balance that we desired all season.”

Just in the nick of time perhaps.

12-17-2014, 08:22 PM	Topic Starter
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $7488993	Steelers: No mystery in game plan for Chiefs http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201412170082 By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette It is not like Mike Tomlin to reveal the game plan Tuesday to the public. But here goes: “We have to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright in this football game if we are going to have the chance to have the type of day that we need to have,” the Steelers coach said early in his news conference. He did not even need to use his favorite word to point out the obvious because Kansas City will burst into Heinz Field tied for the sixth-most sacks in the NFL with 38. They boast the league’s co-leader — outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has 17 sacks. Roethlisberger has been sacked 32 times, but that is on pace for the fewest sacks in his career in any season in which he has started at least 14 games. He was sacked 42 times in 16 games last season. Houston and Co. could push that pace a lot higher. “He is tops in the NFL in terms of applying pressure to the quarterback,” Tomlin said. “His partner in that is Tamba Hali, who is a Penn State grad. He has been around the league for a long time. He is a high-motor guy. He is a very good and instinctual player. Those two book ends, whether it’s in base defense or nickel defense, they provide a wave that creates opportunities for others. It starts there for us.” Hali is second on the Chiefs with six sacks, giving their outside linebackers a combined 23. The entire Steelers defense has 24. While the Steelers have done a better job protecting Roethlisberger, their best pass-blocker at right tackle, Marcus Gilbert, missed the past three games with an ankle injury. Tomlin said Gilbert might be able to play this week. If not, Mike Adams would make his fourth consecutive start at right tackle. The solution to keeping their quarterback upright might be to run the ball. While the Chiefs are No. 2 in passing yards allowed (No. 1 in passing yards per play), they rank No. 28 against the run (No. 30 in yards rushing per play). The Steelers offense climbed to No. 1 in total yards per game and per play and have struck the kind of balance they have long sought. Roethlisberger is second in the league in yards passing, as is his offense. Le’Veon Bell is second in yards rushing and the Steelers rank 10th in rushing yards per game and per play. “I said repeatedly that we want to be a balanced group,” Tomlin said. “I feel that we are, so that we do what it is we need to do to win in stadiums.” The Atlanta Falcons sold out to stop the run Sunday, and they were successful for the most part as Bell gained 47 yards on 20 carries. But Roethlisberger completed 27 of 35 passes for 360 yards and Bell ran for two touchdowns, one of 13 yards. He also caught a short pass and turned it into a 44-yard gain, one of his five receptions for 72 yards. Not only do the Steelers have balance with the run and pass, but they also have a multidimensional back who can run, catch and block. When teams try to take away his running, he can be effective catching passes. “They came into the game committed to minimizing Bell via the ground,” Tomlin said of the Falcons’ game plan. “I thought we were able to get some things done via the passing game because of it. We got some nice play-action pass chunks on first down. Thankfully, Le’Veon is the type of back where, even if they are minimizing him in the running game, he can have a positive contribution to our overall efforts because of his ability in the passing game. I thought he did that.” The Chiefs are not expected to follow Atlanta’s lead and crowd the line to stop the run. They do not have that kind of personnel. If they do try, it could open up things for the NFL’s top receiver. But then, no matter what defenses have done, they have not been able to stop Antonio Brown. “You name it, they’ve tried it,” Tomlin said. “But it’s a testament to him. But not only just him but the balance that we’ve been able to strike with our offense. “Again, I know I sound like a broken record, but I’ve said repeatedly, we seek balance. Because balance will allow us to utilize the strengths of our high-profile players like A.B. and like Le’Veon. When we get good contributions from Heath [Miller] and Markus Wheaton and [Martavis] Bryant and Lance Moore and others when called upon, it just strengthens us and it helps us. “We’re striking that balance that we desired all season.” Just in the nick of time perhaps.
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