The Five Plays That Made 2008 Super for the Steelers

Over the course of an NFL season, there are approximately 2,000 plays for each team. I am going to pick for you the five (actually six) that I believe had the biggest impact for the Steelers in 2008.

Trips Bunch

This formation is normally used on third down, but in 2008 the Steelers used in more on earlier downs.

This play can be run to either side of the line, but the Steelers tend to use it more to the right, so that Ben Roethlisberger can throw on the run.

Out of a single back set, the Steelers line up with Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller to the right.  Normally with Miller on the inside, Holmes in the Middle and Ward on the outside.  Nate Washington would line up to the left.

At the snap, Holmes and Washington both run "go" routes. That is when both receivers sprint down field to hopefully pull both safeties deep.

Ward will run about 5-10 yard in (depending on yardage needed), while Miller runs either a quick out or a flag rout (when the receiver runs in the direction of the pylon).

The running back, normally Mewelde Moore (he has the best hands of the running backs) will bump a defensive linemen, then go through the line and shadow the direction of Big Ben.

If the safeties double the deep receivers, then Heath Miller and Mewelde Moore are both one on one with linebackers. If this happens, Ben normally likes to throw to Miller, due to his speed and the difficulty line backers have staying with him.

If the safeties don't double, then Ben likes to go deep. 

If the linebackers do a good job at coverage, then the middle of the field is open for Ward on the crossing route.

When the defense seems to have all routes covered, which doesn't happen often, Roethlisberger can roll to the strong side of the line, where the trips were.  His options are to wait for Miller or Moore to get open, or he can scramble and run for the first down.

Cross Blitz

This is one of Dick LeBeau's favorite blitz plays.

Out of the 3-4 alignment, the nose tackle (Casey Hampton normally) will line up into the gap on either side of the center. At the snap of the ball, Hampton will bull rush the center into one of the guards.

James Farrior will then run top speed into the other guard to tie up the block. Lawrence Timmons or Larry Foote (whoever was in at the time) would then sprint behind Farrior to attack the QB.

The way this has been set up, the center and two guards are now occupied by Hampton and Farrior. That leaves the tackles and running back to block Timmons, Woodley and Harrison.

If the three offensive players can pick them up, the play doesen't work. But that hardly ever happens.

If it is a running play, then the running back is being met behind the line of scrimmage by the ILB. If it is a pass play, either Woodley, Harrison or the ILB will get the sack.

This play puts major pressure on the offense.

Play Action

This is the kind of play that is normally successful on the early downs.  And most successful when the running game is working.

From I-Formation or Single Back, two Tight Ends, Roethlisberger will fake the hand off, causing the safeties to stay to support the run.

On the snap of the ball, Santonio Holmes will sprint down field. If the safeties fall for the fake hand off, that leaves Holmes one on one for a deep pass.

If the safety doesen't fall for the fake, and runs deep with Holmes, Heath Miller can run a skinny post. (Three steps from the line, run in the direction of the goal post.)

Polamalu Fake Blitz

When you have a player like Troy Polamalu, he has to be accounted for on every play.  With his speed and agility, if the QB doesn't know where he is, bad things are going to happen for the offense.

Out of any defensive set, Polamalu approaches the line as if he is going to blitz. Normally between the defensive end and nose tackle.

This makes the offensive guard have to commit to blocking the blitzing Polamalu. If the guard steps forward, then either Hampton or the defensive end on that side are man on man with Woodley or Harrison.

At the snap of the ball, Polamalu takes a step towards the line, forcing the lineman to commit to blocking him, then sprints deep into coverage.

Scramble Right, Scramble Left, Hit The Open Guy

In his post game interview, Big Ben Roethlisberger described this as the play he liked the most.

When the blocking breaks down, and he has to scramble to find the open receiver, Ben calls this "backyard" football.

This is not a play that is called in the huddle, and never out of a particular set, but one of the most effective plays the Steelers have.

It is when Ben makes something out of nothing. He rolls around the back field until one of the receivers get open.

Ben does this probably 10-15 times every game. He did it in the Super Bowl numerous times, and it is one of the reasons Steelers fans consider Big Ben elite.

Victory

I know that this is supposed to be a top-five list, but there is one other play that has to be mentioned.

It is never usually run more than one time in a game, and in a lot of games it is never run.

The play is called "Victory." And if this play is run, it means we won the game.

The Steelers line up in the "Big" set, with a running back lined up to each side of Roethlisberger. Instead of having anyone lined up directly behind Big Ben, Troy Polamalu lines up about 15 yards behind him.

At the snap of the ball, Ben takes a knee and the game ends.

We got to see this play in the AFC Championship game, but more importantly, we got to see it in the Super Bowl.

There is no defense for this play, and the last time the Steelers used this formation was on the last play of Super Bowl XLIII.