Bullz-Eye's NFL Game of the Week
09/14/2006
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We’ll be dissecting one big NFL match-up every week throughout the season, whether it's a long-standing rivalry, a divisional clash or a game with playoff implications.
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This week’s match up: Pittsburgh (1-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)
Date: Monday, Sept. 18
Time: 8:30pm ET on ESPN
RESULT: Jacksonville 9, Pittsburgh 0
Why to tune in:
It doesn’t hurt that both of these teams won their opening games – both at home. Ben Roethlisberger is listed as questionable on the Steelers’ injury report, but head coach Bill Cowher feels confident that Big Ben will be his starting quarterback come Monday. Roethlisberger had an emergency appendectomy procedure early last week and without playing in regular season conditions yet, no one knows if he is fully recovered from the surgery, let alone his offseason motorcycle accident. Jacksonville put together an impressive victory against Dallas last Sunday, coming back from 10 points down in the first quarter and intercepting Drew Bledsoe three times in the process. Both of these teams have high aspirations for the playoffs and with Pittsburgh battling division rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore all year, they need to start stockpiling wins now.
When the Steelers have the ball:
It’s no secret that Cowher loves to run the ball and showed last Thursday against Miami that he won’t abandoned his game plan late in the game. Willie Parker carried the rock 29 times for 115 yards last week, but fearing that he may wear down over the course of the season, Pittsburgh signed former Packers running back Najeh Davenport. Davenport will undoubtedly see action in Jacksonville and may be used as the Steelers’ new Jerome Bettis-type goal line back. Roethlisberger’s condition may limit Pittsburgh’s ability to throw the ball downfield against a tough Jaguar secondary, but if they get backed into a corner, the Steelers have excellent receiving options in Hines Ward and Heath Miller. Jacksonville took a huge hit on its defensive line when they lost Reggie Hayward for the season with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon. Still, John Henderson and Marcus Stroud form probably the best defensive tackle duo in the NFL and Paul Spicer creates plenty of pressure from his end spot. Everything-man Rob Meier will replace Hayward and he is a regular in the Jaguars’ line rotation.
When the Jaguars have the ball:
Matt Jones is beginning to show teams why the Jaguars took a shot on him in the first round a year ago. Jones battled an ankle injury in the preseason, but demonstrated good hands and body control in catching five passes for 71 yards against the Cowboys. When healthy, Byron Leftwich and Fred Taylor give the Jags a solid backfield and if the offensive line can control the Steelers’ array of blitzing, Leftwich may find success in the passing game. Taylor didn’t do anything astronomical last weekend, but he did rush for 74 yards and a score and, most importantly, stayed upright. Jacksonville likes to use rookie Maurice Drew in the slot and won’t hesitate using his speed to line up against any of Pittsburgh’s linebackers. As the Dolphins found out last week, the Steelers defense is darn near impenetrable when they are on their game. They forced Daunte Culpepper into throwing two key interceptions down the stretch and suffocated Ronnie Brown in the run game. Joey Porter is so versatile against the run and pass that teams have to know where he is lined up on every play. Safety Troy Polamalu hasn’t missed a game in his three-year career, but his shoulder is dinged up and he is listed as questionable.
Prediction:
Pittsburgh showed everybody last week that they have plenty of depth when quarterback Charlie Batch stepped in and won as a replacement for Roethlisberger. The defense was solid and should once again be the mark of this team. However, Culpepper did have passing lanes last week and he just flat out missed some receivers in one-on-one coverage – especially near the goal line. Look for the Steelers to beat up Taylor like they did Brown last week, but Polamalu isn’t healthy and that will kill Pittsburgh throughout the course of the game. Polamalu is always around the ball, so if he misses even a fraction of the game, look for Jacksonville to take its shots then and perhaps get a big play or two down the field. I don’t trust Roethlisberger right now and the Jaguars have an opportunistic defense that won’t surrender much on the ground. Jacksonville is one of the few teams that can physically match up with the Steelers and although this should be tight, look for the Jags to take advantage of turnovers down the stretch in this game.
Give me the small underdog and the home team: Jacksonville 20, Pittsburgh 17.
Questions or comments on the upcoming season? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.