SportsCrack

Playoff preview: Jaguars @ Steelers

Well, here we are. The best time of the year: The NFL Playoffs. Over the next couple of days I will be previewing the AFC and NFC Wild Card games to get even more amped up. In typical Football Crack fashion, I will be previewing the games in a offense vs defense and vice versa, coaching match ups and when warranted, special teams. As well as anything else that comes to mind.

Next up: The Saturday night game -- Jaguars @ Steelers

Main storyline: This has to be that these two teams played each other less than 3 weeks ago. The Jaguars won the game, which was in Pittsburgh as well, 29-22.

When the Steelers have the ball

Steelers offense: Originally I thought the biggest problem for this unit would be the absence of Willie Parker. After interviewing a Steelers fan however, I am convinced it is the Steelers offensive line woes.

Left tackle Max Starx is out for the season, leaving many to call on Steely McBeam to jump into the mix and protect Big Ben. No matter who fills in for Starx though, they are going to need to protect Big Ben well because I don't see Najeh Davenport doing too much against the vaunted Jaguars 4-3 defense. Although it's not what it used to be, they are still ranked 11th against the rush this season.

Jaguars defense: While they only allowed Big Ben to 147 yards passing in the previous engagement, they did give up 3 TD's and 100 yards even to Willie Parker. While I don't expect Davenport to put up nearly as much (I'm saying... ehh 60 yards) they do need to contain the pass since the Steelers most likely will be focusing a bit more on the pass in this matchup.

How well the Jaguars defend the pass is going to be key in this game, as well as how much they control the time of possession with there rushing offense.

Edge: Steelers

When the Jaguars have the ball

Jaguars offense: While the Jaguars offense is clearly on fire (they scored the most points in the league for the second half of the season - even more than the Patriots) you have to wonder how much the field conditions are going to come into play here.

I'm expecting the Jaguars to run the ball straight at the Steelers with the Freddie T/Mojo combo and leave it to Garrard to minimize his mistakes and complete some passes when he needs to. With the field conditions though, will they have to pass more than they'd like?

Steelers defense: What's there to say? The Steelers have the best defense in the league. However, that still doesn't explain the 421 yards the Steel Curtain let up in the last contest which was in the snow AND at home.

The Steelers D will need Polamalu at his best for this game and there are some concerns after he missed his second straight practice on Thursday. He is set to suit up for practice today but it's still a major concern.

Edge: Jaguars

Coaching

Coaching: While Mike Tomlin's inexperience in the playoffs isn't a concern per se, Jack del Rio only has one playoff game under his belt (the loss to the Patriots back in 2005). It's a bit hard to compare coaches in this way but you have to give it to Del Rio due to his overall coaching experience.

Edge: Jaguars

On the special teams front, it appears Alan Rossum is out for this game and he returned one kick for a TD. Jones-Drew on the other hand returned one as well and he's always a threat to do so. I wouldn't say the Jaguars have an edge for this, but it's interesting to take into account none the less.

The Steelers home field advantage is obviously a factor, even though it was not in the previous match up. I don't expect the Steel Curtain to give up nearly as much yards as they did last time, but I don't think they'll come out of Heinz Field with a W, unfortunately.

Prediction: Jaguars 20 Steelers 17

Playoff Interview Special: The Steel Curtain Edition

In anticipation of the upcoming NFL playoffs, I've taken the liberty to find a fan from each team in the Wild Card round and ask them some questions about them. The first edition: The Pittsburgh Steelers.


The fan: Dave (aka ReconGuy55 on the ESPN.com Message Boards). He is an avid contributor to the NFL Message boards over at ESPN.com


Football Crack (FC): I lost a LOT of money when the Steelers lost to the Jets a couple weeks back (screwed up my 3 team parlay)… what are your thoughts on that game?

Dave: The Jets game sucked. My thought at the time was that they just can't lose that game. Unacceptable. I wouldn't mind it as much if they had finished the year strong but they didn't.

FC: What exactly did you do when you realized Willie Parker was out for the season? Shit your pants? Drop your beer?

Dave: Honestly, I have always thought Parker was good but not an everydown back. I was a little bummed but not ready to hit the panic button. I think Davenport will do OK. The offensive line injuries worry me ALOT more than Parker.

FC: Good point, the offensive line situation would be more of a concern.

FC: Big Ben: Why did he return to form this year?

Dave: I think Big Ben wouldn't admit it last year but he was hurting all year from hit cycle accident and appendix surgery. I think the biggest difference this year is that he is healthy and realized how hard he needs to work to be good in this league.

FC: Yeah it was good to see him back on track. Especially since I had him on my fantasy team, although I traded him halfway through the season... I make very dumb trades after I've been drinking, which isn't very smart.

FC: What’s the deal with Steely McBeam and why hasn’t there been a mass petition by Steelers fans to have him ‘erased’?

Dave: I don't think McBeam is really that big a deal and nobody really remembers him until they see him. I was at the Pitt/Miami game a few weeks ago and I saw McBeam outside the stadium. Until I saw him I actually forgot he existed. Even then I just walked by.

Steeley McBeam

FC: Good to know. I shouldn't even be talking, since Pat the Patriot isn't the most masculine looking guy either... and come to think of it--his name is kind of retarded, too. Oh well.

FC: What is your prediction for the Jaguars game?

Dave: "Prediction..hmmm. I think if Essex and Colon can give Ben time to throw the Steelers will put alot of points up. That is a big if however. The Steelers play better when nobody gives them a shot and they are mad. I really think they will beat the Jags..I'll say Pitt 34 Jax 24."

FC: Mike Tomlin… Omar Epps' cousin? What do Steelers fans think about this?

Dave: "Thats pretty funny. I never noticed that before. Hopefully Tomlin isn't just an actor. Jury still out!!!"

Mike Tomlin and Omar Epps... distant cousins?

FC: What is your prediction for the entire year? Be honest!

Dave: "I think we will beat the Jags (see above). I think we will go to New England next week and play much better than we did the last time. Unfortunately it still won't be enough. They will lose to the Pats in a closer game than people think."

FC: Well, there you have it -- straight from a Steelers fan's keyboard. I forgot to ask him who he thought the Steelers 2007-08 MVP was, so if your reading this and your a Steelers fan, please state who you think the team MVP is in the comments. Stay tuned for interviews with fans from every wild card playoff team in the next couple hours/days. And thanks again, Dave!

Steelers @ Patriots

Quick update: Meant to pick all the games this week but... duty calls. Trying to make that money. Here's the Steelers @ Patriots pick though (the only one that really matters):

I just heard that Troy Polamalu is definitely not playing. Even if he was though, I would have expected the Patriots to win -- but with this news... I'm gonna have to change the score a bit.

If you're curious -- if Polamalu did play:

Patriots 20 Steelers 16

Actual el prediction:

Patriots 24 Steelers 16

Monday Night Football preview - Ravens @ Steelers

With several of the previous Monday Night match ups being unsavory to say the least, it’s nice to see one that both looks good on paper and means something division wise. While I’m leaning towards a Steelers win, you just never know. So, in the interest of fun, let’s take a look at some factors and storylines for tonight’s game.

Let’s start with a quote from Ray Lewis, the heart and soul of the Baltimore D and probably the only person ever to get barred from being on a Wheaties box:

“I think this game sums up, really the National Football League, and I really think it sums up our division. Nothing is a secret about the way these two teams play against each other. We know it’s going to be physical. They’ve got the No. 1 defense; we’ve got the No. 2 defense. It’s going to be one of those classic games.”

The games last year were certainly not classics, however. Pittsburgh got destroyed 27-0 in Baltimore and then spanked 31-7 in Pittsburgh. But with Ben Roethlisberger’s dome piece apparently feeling much better than last year, and his appendix too, will this year be different? What say you, Mr. Roethlisberger?

"You know how you felt afterward. You got embarrassed twice, once here, once there. It's not a good thing. It leaves a taste in your mouth. They roughed us up, a lot. We need another all-around performance like we had last Sunday, in all phases of the game."

These quotes and stuff are all cool and good, you say, but who fares better in the major football categories? Well, fuck, let’s find out! And without the wise cracks.

Offense

Baltimore – There has been talk of poor offensive play calling effecting Baltimore, but we’ll get to that later in the coaching section. The Ravens are 17^th in the league in offensive YPG (326.7) and 24^th in PPG (17.7).

They have one of the more dynamic backs in the league in Willis McGahee and a proven but aging QB in Steve McNair. The receivers have been less than stellar, with Derrick Mason making up for an under the radar year for the rest of the corps.

The offensive line has been effective blocking for McGahee who’s fifth in the league in rushing yards with 639. They’ve been even more effective protecting Steve McNair, allowing only 4 sacks on the season, tied for first in the league. Not a bad year so far for the Baltimore offensive line, I say.

Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh offense has been much more potent this year, and it seems they are back to the Steelers smash mouth football of yore. They are 6^th in the league in offensive YPG (361.1) and 5^th in PPG (26.3).

Ben Roethlisberger is having one of the best years of his career with a 102.2 passer rating thus far. Willie Parker is having a spectacular year as well and if it were not for the rookie beast, Adrian Peterson, he might have won the rushing title. As for Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes… while not having monster years, they both are both threats and always viable passing options.

The big men up front, while doing a great job run blocking for Willie Parker, haven’t been as good protecting Ben Roethlisberger. He’s tied for taking the sixth most sacks in the league.

Edge: Steelers. While I would give the nod offensive line wise to the Ravens, the Steelers are running the ball well and passing the ball well. They are back to the smash mouth football they are known for, with a little bit extra.

Defense

Baltimore – The Ravens are 2^nd in the league defensively in YPG (268.0). They are 6^th in the league in PPG (17.0). Obviously they are having another great year defensively, and with Samari Rolle back from an injury, they should get even better. They will have a huge test against the Steelers offense, especially since the only team they’ve played with a great offense was Cincinnati, giving up 27 points in a loss.

Pittsburgh – The Steelers are 1^st in the league in YPG (256.9) and 1^st in PPG (13.0). They are also a lot more proven than Baltimore’s defense, having played Cleveland, Seattle and Cincinnati which were all wins and gave up only 20 combined points to all three.

Edge: Steelers. Easy pick.

Special Teams

Baltimore – Matt Stover has hit 18 of 21 of his kicks going 12-12 under 39 yards and 6-9 from over 40 yards. Not bad. The kick returning team is averaging 27.7 yards per return with 0 touchdowns.

Steelers – Jeff Reed on the other hand has only kicked 11 times, but he’s connected on 10 of them. He’s made all of his kicks that were not over 50 yards. The kick returning team is averaging 25.8 yards per return with 1 touchdown.

Edge: Steelers. Although Reed hasn’t kicked as many as Stover, he’s been more efficient. And the kick return team for the Steelers has the touchdown edge. Done.

Coaching

Baltimore – Brian Billick hasn’t been the most popular play caller this year, even with his own defense. Let’s here what Ray Lewis had to say about him:

“We knew he [Willis McGahee] should have touched the ball when you have a fourth-and-one. Old-school football is old-school football. If there is a yard I need to get, there is a running back, a fullback and an offense that is meant to get that.”

Very true, Ray, very true. He goes on:

"You can't make oranges be peaches. It doesn't change. It will never change. That's what Billick has to ask himself, why we keep putting ourselves in those situations. In the Cincinnati game, that cost us with those same decisions."

Are these accusations true? Thankfully, I know first hand, from my friend 'Killamed' who has Willis McGahee on his fantasy team. Here is what he has to say about Brian Billick's antics:

"He's retarded. I hate him. Who throws twice on the goal line, then brings in Musa Smith on third down when McGahee has been having such a monster day? A pussy, that's who."

Too harsh? Maybe. But what do you expect from someone who has the word 'Killa' in their nickname.

Steelers -- Compared to Billick, any coach could get the nod. But Mike Tomlin has lived up to expectations and brought the Steelers the identity they seemed to lose last year. Plus, he looks exactly like Omar Epps.

Edge -- Steelers.

And... the overall edge goes to the Steelers, in a sweep.

Steelers win 24-13.