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.

eDave · 12-17-2014, 08:25 PM

So put him on his ass Sutton.

Hog's Gone Fishin · 12-17-2014, 08:31 PM

This is the first playoff game for us. we win the next six and we're picking 32 in the draft.

MMXcalibur · 12-17-2014, 08:36 PM

We won't even touch Roethelisberger.
Should we get to him? Yes.
Should we be able to get a few drive stopping sacks? Yes.
Will you be ridiculously frustrated when Roethelisberger has all day to find Antonio Brown in a soft spot of our zone coverage? Yes.

Sorry for being Debbie Downer, but I've seen this so many times in the past where we have a strength, and they have a weakness, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd nothing.

Deberg_1990 · 12-17-2014, 08:39 PM

Steelers 24

Chiefs 20

Chief Roundup · 12-17-2014, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Steelers 24

Chiefs 20

I have this feeling that we will win this one and then Phyllis will beat us at Arrowhead.

oaklandhater · 12-17-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I have this feeling that we will win this one and then Phyllis will beat us at Arrowhead.

He didn't even practice today rumor is he is hurt.

oaklandhater · 12-17-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Steelers 24

Chiefs 20

I say steelers 35 chiefs 14 gonna be a blowout.

Deberg_1990 · 12-17-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I have this feeling that we will win this one and then Phyllis will beat us at Arrowhead.

IM guessing the exact opposite. They will lose to Pitt, then next week when they are out of it and the pressure is off, they will crush the Bolts

Chief Roundup · 12-17-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

He didn't even practice today rumor is he is hurt.

Haven't heard that but, the first thing to pop into my mind is it must be pretty ****ing bad. That dude played on a knee with the ligaments all fubared in there.

oaklandhater · 12-17-2014, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Haven't heard that but, the first thing to pop into my mind is it must be pretty ****ing bad. That dude played on a knee with the ligaments all fubared in there.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...ellen-clemens/

Now the Chiefs thing to do is we beat the Steelers then san deigo comes in and we make there backup look like the next coming of joe montana and we miss the playoff's

Chief Roundup · 12-17-2014, 08:53 PM

Yeah at this point will give that the ole Allen Iverson.

Chief Roundup · 12-17-2014, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...ellen-clemens/

Now the Chiefs thing to do is we beat the Steelers then san deigo comes in and we make there backup look like the next coming of joe montana and we miss the playoff's

That has definitely been our luck in the past. I am hoping that has changed after last year. Most of our early wins were beating those backup type QBs that would beat us before.

**notorious** · 12-17-2014, 09:13 PM

Pittsburgh is over-rated.

Cheater5 · 12-17-2014, 09:15 PM

8-8 boys, get used to how that sounds.

12-17-2014, 08:22 PM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $7588993	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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12-17-2014, 08:25 PM	#2
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	So put him on his ass Sutton.
Posts: 53,803

12-17-2014, 08:31 PM	#3
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1670477	This is the first playoff game for us. we win the next six and we're picking 32 in the draft.
Posts: 40,361

12-17-2014, 08:36 PM	#4
MMXcalibur Pessimistically optimistic. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $2415086	We won't even touch Roethelisberger. Should we get to him? Yes. Should we be able to get a few drive stopping sacks? Yes. Will you be ridiculously frustrated when Roethelisberger has all day to find Antonio Brown in a soft spot of our zone coverage? Yes. Sorry for being Debbie Downer, but I've seen this so many times in the past where we have a strength, and they have a weakness, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd nothing.
Posts: 16,419

12-17-2014, 08:39 PM	#5
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Steelers 24 Chiefs 20 __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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12-17-2014, 08:53 PM	#12
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $2031627	Yeah at this point will give that the ole Allen Iverson. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
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12-17-2014, 09:13 PM	#14
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2895884	Pittsburgh is over-rated.
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12-17-2014, 09:15 PM	#15
Cheater5 Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Folly Beach, SC Casino cash: $5077550	8-8 boys, get used to how that sounds.
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