Dominated.
By Thejim
10 Nov 2009 11:12 am
The Steelers walked into Denver on Monday night and decimated (mostly) the formerly 6-1 Broncos. Here are the highs, lows, and insanities:
The Goods:
Big Ben – Ben was about 85% good last night. He threw a bunch of really excellent balls, especially during the second half when the Steelers ran their up-tempo, muddle-huddle. His ability to move out of the pocket and throw on the run were a huge problem for the Broncos last night.
Rashard Mendenhall – You can surely chalk up Mendenhall’s success (7.0 yards/carry, 155 rushing yards) to the way the offensive line played, but some credit has to go to the young RB’s speed and straight-ahead style. I still feel like he can’t be trusted inside the 20 (fumblerooski) and that he runs out of bounds entirely too much, but neither one of those things hurt the Steelers on Monday.
The WR corp – One-Liter Holmes largely bested Champ Bailey, Hines did his thing with 2 TDs, and Mike Wallace has become a huge factor. If Limas Sweed was even half decent, you might call this the best set of receivers in the league. I know, I can’t believe I just said that either.
Brett Keisel – Two sacks and pressure all over Kyle Orton the whole game. I bet he was pissed that the Monday Night Football crew kept saying he wasn’t a regular starter.
Keyaron Fox – Six solo tackles. He was absolutely everywhere in this game.
Tyrone Carter – I enjoy making light of Carter’s excitable demeanor as much as anyone, but let’s face it, he’s an excellent backup safety and utility player. He’s not nearly as talented as Ryan Clark and can’t hold Troy Polamalu’s coconut-shaped jock, but he put up two picks last night and returned one to the house. SAWED OFF!
The Bads:
Big Ben – We saw some of the dark side of Roethlisberger last night. He threw a few ill-advised passes under pressure and a few more that were just completely off target, including a pick in the end zone in the third quarter. He also took at least two sacks where another QB may have left the pocket and/or thrown the ball away. That’s not an indictment of Big Ben’s play, just the price of admission when you have a QB like him.
The CB corp – Willie Gay was targeted early, but he settled down and held his own after the Broncos’ opening drive. Ike Taylor (Swaggin’), got hit up a little as Brandon Marshall hauled in 11 passes, but it didn’t particularly hurt the Steelers as Marshall never found the end zone and only averaged 10.2 yards/catch, which isn’t that great. You can throw quick-hitters and bubble screens all day, but if the WR doesn’t break free, it won’t win you any games in this league.
Stefan Logan – I continue to not be impressed with Logan much. His stats aren’t that bad, but I just feel like until he breaks something big or really changes a game, which he hasn’t and hasn’t, his roster spot has not been validated.
WTFslas:
The guys in the booth (Jon Gruden, Mike Tirico, and Ron Jaworski) all had really shiny pants on.
It was Old School Week or something in Denver, so the end zones were painted in a weird argyle pattern. However, the Broncos didn’t wear their throwback unis for the game. Way to half-ass it, Denver!
The announcing crew played up Denver punter and former Steelers whipping boy, Mitch Berger, as this master of directional punting. Steelers fans know better though. At one point, he tried to corner a punt and it ended up out around the 23. Hey, why not just kick it out of the back of the end zone and pick up three more yards?
The Twitter Quote of the Night from @stoosh10, Limas Sweed is going to the mall tomorrow to buy a Mike Wallace jersey.
AP Photo/David Zalubowski via ESPN
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