Pittsburgh Steelers: Gameplan for Baltimore Depends on QB Health, Mike Wallace
After surviving a tougher-than-expected test in windy, freezing Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Baltimore for a season-defining game with the rival Ravens.
The formula is simple: win at Baltimore and likely win the AFC North. Cleveland and Cincinnati are out of the race and, barring a falloff by either team, the winner of this Sunday night's contest will take home the division crown and a chance at a first round bye in the playoffs.
The loser is still very much alive for a wild card spot, but Pittsburgh would undoubtedly like to be home in the postseason.
Here's a look at the best game plan for Bruce Arians to use as the Steelers try to lock up their division in Baltimore.
A Look at The Defense
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Overall Defensive Ranking: 8th (307.4 yards per game)
Pass Defense Ranking: 7th (205.6 yards per game)
Rush Defense Ranking: 11th (101.7 yards per game)
Analysis
Baltimore's defense was once among the league's most dominant. Despite being ranked 8th overall, this defense is not what it once was. The secondary is suspect, the older players are starting to show some age (except for the ageless Ray Lewis), and the defense is no longer always the strength or the difference in games.
Baltimore shares the Steelers' 8-3 record, but both teams have had defensive struggles that have nearly cost them games. More recently, both units are playing better.
The question is whether or not Baltimore, weaker than ever against the run, can stop Rashard Mendenhall, who slashed Buffalo for 151 yards and a score on Sunday.
Baltimore nearly lost to a Pittsburgh team that was minus its quarterback in Week 4. Now, with Ben Roethlisberger back and making big plays, its up to the Ravens to show that their earlier victory against Pittsburgh was made up of more than just beating a shorthanded roster.
Play Selection
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Run the Ball
Rashard Mendenhall had a great day against the Buffalo Bills, carrying 36 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Mendenhall found holes all day against a suspect Buffalo front seven, but did have a worrisome fumble in the second half that could have cost the Steelers a needed victory.
Against Baltimore, the Steelers would be wise to lean heavy on their star back. Pittsburgh dominated in the first half against the Bills by keeping Buffalo's dangerous offense off the field. Mendenhall and his backups were a big part of that.
There's also the injury to Ben Roethlisberger to consider. Ben will be limited this week in practice and is rumored to be in a walking boot. If he can't play up to his usual elusiveness on Sunday, the Steelers will need to be even more run-oriented to limit the hits to Roethlisberger.
Deep Passes
Absent against Buffalo, the Steelers need to loosen up the Baltimore defense and test the team's secondary with some deep shots to Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. Wallace had a pedestrian day on Sunday, but should be more effective against the Baltimore corners, who haven't covered consistently all year and don't have the speed to break deep with Wallace.
A few deep passes will also set up the running game and some short play action and help to neutralize the vicious Baltimore blitz scheme.
Some Passing Thoughts
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Ben Roethlisberger was efficient against Buffalo, standing tall against a vicious pass rush and recovering from several blown plays with effective scrambles. It will likely get tougher in Baltimore, where the Ravens are much better at blitzing.
With Roethlisberger injured as well, the best scenario for the Steelers will be to run early and then use play action. It would be hard to imagine Ben scrambling a great deal, so the receivers will have to be precise and elusive.
Short slants have been effective for the Steelers and should be useful again in Baltimore. Working tight end Heath Miller into the game will be essential as well. Sending Mike Wallace deep regularly could open up the field for Miller and Emmanuel Sanders.
Hines Ward had a big game against the Bills and will be needed again in Baltimore. His ability to find holes in the short middle will be important as Roethlisberger will need to unload quickly and avoid too many hits.
Perhaps the biggest key to the passing game will be using play action to get Baltimore off balance. The Steelers often seem to ignore this tool, but if Rashard Mendenhall gets loose, they'll have no reason to do so on Sunday night.
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Tricky Plays
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Here are a few trick play ideas for Bruce Arians to try as the Steelers pull out all the stops to win this division contest with their fiercest rivals.
Halfback Pass
It's been missing since Jerome Bettis retired and Ken Whisenhunt moved on to Arizona's heat, but it's possibly time to bring it back to the forefront. Rashard Mendenhall has never attempted a pass in his NFL career. Time to see what he's got. If the Steelers need a play call deep in enemy territory, there's no need to look further than this play. I'd target Heath Miller on the pass. He's likely to be open if Baltimore reads run.
The Randle El Special
It's becoming a weekly feature and still surprises teams. The reason is because Mike Wallace is so effective and fast that teams have to protect against a reverse. Baltimore is crafty, so the best idea would be to run an actual reverse and then set up the same play later but send Randle El out for a pass attempt. Another idea would be to allow Ben Roethlisberger to keep the ball and throw deep himself. Since Wallace is the decoy, targeting Hines Ward or Emmanuel Sanders would be best.ย
Lateral Pass
The play that beat Cincinnati in the 2005 NFL Playoffs needs to be dusted off one more time. With the amount of speed Pittsburgh has, there's no reason to not use it against a suspect set of corners. Sending Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders deep from the outside receiver positions and then using some trickery to cut them loose from coverage would be a perfect way to set up a quick (possibly early) score.
In any of the above cases, I would use these ideas early in the game or at the beginning of the second half to generate some momentum and/or put Baltimore away.
Looking Into The Crystal Ball
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Here's a look at what the offense can be expected to produce in Baltimore. This is not based solely upon statistics or emotion, but a mix of both and also what the Steelers' talent level says can happen.
Ben Roethlisberger
15 of 28, 230 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Ben is good for an interception a game on most days since he is always looking to make plays. Baltimore is bound to be ready for some of his usual tricks. Otherwise, I think he'll have a typical day. I'd look for sacks to be around three if he can get rid of the ball quickly and if the suspect offensive line can keep his jersey clean for most of the game. If the Steelers get up big, which isn't likely, I'd expect to see Byron Leftwich once the game is in hand. There's no need to get your star quarterback hurt worse.
Rashard Mendenhall
31 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD
I think Mendenhall will be leaned upon heavily in this game. He's essential to the game plan set forth in the previous slides as both the primary threat and a decoy for the passing game. I think the 36 carry game in Buffalo is more of a blueprint for the future than an exception. If he's effective early, he'll keep getting the ball. Baltimore is better against the pass than the run, so I'd expect him to get significant early work.
Mike Wallace
4 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD
Wallace is due for another big catch after missing out in Buffalo. He's starting to draw double teams, but he's got the speed to beat those. If the Steelers have enough time to go deep, Wallace is the likely target. I predict he'll score on a deep pass from around midfield, probably early in the second half.
The X Factors
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Every game has players besides the stars who need to step up big for their team to claim victory. Here are the potential players who need to step up this week:
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Sanders had a big drop in the Buffalo game on a play that could have put the Steelers up big and put Buffalo away for the afternoon. Instead, the Steelers had to suffer through a long overtime period and a tense contest. Sanders needs to continue to disrupt the middle of the field and help in the deep passing game with his speed and usually-good hands.
The Offensive Line
Is there ever a game when the five guys up front are not essential? The Steelers' line is even more important in this game. They need to protect Ben Roethlisberger, who's got a sprained foot. If they can't and he gets more seriously injured, the Steelers' season could be in jeopardy. This is the time for the maligned and banged up line to put together an inspired effort.
Isaac Redman, RB
Redman has been quite effective this season, but it's time for him to raise his game as a blocker. In an offense without a prototypical fullback, Redman does most of the blocking along with David Johnson, a tight end. Redman plays more often in passing situations, so I'd expect to see him a lot as a pass blocker. As with the line, he needs to be good. Baltimore sends a lot of blitzes off the edges and his presence and game will help the Steelers' tackles.
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