As has become my custom, I want to give you as many thoughts from yesterday’s game as possible in the bulleted format you’ve come to expect from Quick Hitters. Thus the name right? Here we go!
The Steelers and Todd Haley have to be very, very careful heading into the Divisional match-up with Kansas City. He used Chris Hubbard A LOT yesterday and hey, the results were pretty darn good when you look at Le’Veon Bell’s rushing yards, the Chiefs are a different animal. I think Haley will need to spread things out a bit more but I’ll get to that this week.
What a postseason debut for Le’Veon Bell huh? 169 yards rushing and a new Steelers’ postseason rushing record breaking the old record of Franco Harris.
Ben Roethlisberger is indeed in a walking boot. Based on what I’ve been told from three different sources (yes, people who know things actually tell me stuff!) it is being done for precautionary measures. He should be good to go for next Sunday.
What a difference Bud Dupree’s return has made. The defense is so much faster and more diverse with him in there.
Speaking of Dupree… Here was my take on his vicious hit on Matt Moore.
Tweet of the Day… Like other Ravens, Steve Smith was watching the Steelers Sunday.
Thanks old man! https://t.co/8jX2CtPVRL
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) January 9, 2017
I don’t know that Jarvis Landry is “uncoverable” but he’s a damn good receiver. I’ll say that. He worked hard for those 10 receptions Sunday.
Assuming Ladarius Green is out again Sunday, Eli Rogers and Demarcus Ayres will have to make more plays than they did against Miami. The Chiefs’ secondary will be significantly better than Miami’s and I don’t expect them to allow Antonio Brown run as free as he did yesterday.
Obviously the offensive line was very good yesterday. One area of concern was Alejandro Villanueva who got beat several times with both outside and inside moves. That has to be better against a good Chiefs’ pass rush.
Regardless of what happened with Joey Porter last night (he was arrested on the South Side), I don’t think Porter was going to be back with the Steelers anyway. His rotation ‘powers’ were reduced significantly after the Dallas game. Would love to see former Steeler Kevin Greene get that job.
Can’t say enough about Lawrence Timmons. Another terrific game from him. Leads them in tackles and collected two sacks as well. Ya, he got burned in coverage but we know that’s not a strength anymore anyways.
Speaking of coverage, the Steelers will have to deal with a much better tight end in Travis Kelce than they did yesterday. Curious to see what Keith Butler cooks up.
One of my three ‘keys to victory’ for the Miami game was making Jay Ajayi pay every time he carried the ball. The Steelers did just that. They frustrated him and eventually knocked him out with a shoulder injury. Mission accomplished I guess.
I’ve run out of superlatives for James Harrison. Another great performance and in my opinion the play of the day with his strip sack of Matt Moore at the end of the first half.
Have another great Victory Monday Steeler Nation!
