All three missed last week's win over Detroit.
Woodley is the most likely to return this week from his calf strain.
Keisel is fighting through a foot injury that was a little worse than the team thought. He didn't practice at all last week and might not do so this week until Friday.
Same goes for Ramon Foster, who is dealing with a mild high-ankle sprain.
The Steelers are also optimistic about wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders' foot. He checked out OK after leaving Sunday's game.
Sanders and the Steelers are always concerned when he has any kind of foot pain.He's had surgery on both feet since joining the team in 2010.
Shamarko Thomas and Stevenson Sylvester were the only players Tomlin said were doubtful to play.
@ While much of the focus the past two days has been on the effectiveness of the no-huddle, which the Steelers ran 50 percent of the time Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger's numbers weren't really any different in the no-huddle as opposed to when the Steelers huddled.
Here's what I wrote about it today.
I was as surprised as anyone when I broke everything down. It seemed the no-huddle was much more effective. But the reality was different.
Ben Roethlisberger had a good game no matter what the Steelers did offensively.
I'm not fan of his, but BR played a smart, disciplined game, not something he does consistently. If the no huddle, where he thinks he's in charge, is what it takes for him to play that way, then more of it.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think the no huddle may have gotten Ben into a better rhythm.
ReplyDeleteThey ran it 50-50.
ReplyDeleteBut he also had a period in the first half when he was 1-8 passing in the no-huddle, hence their dead period.
nice article dale. considering the fact the steelers also cannot sub when in the no huddle, I would be curious as to how often they pass vs. run when in the no huddle.
ReplyDeleteI believe the key to the steelers offense, other than the obvious of having the o-line block decently, is getting the ball to bell out of the backfield and miller. they both are matchup problems for just about any LB. additionally, it also presents legitimate threats in all three levels (WR/TE/RB) which puts a significant strain on the defense. imo, it just opens up the whole field for #7 to pick and choose.
Dale - Do you have a list of which plays were no huddle, and which where not? Completion percentage, TDs, and *especially* raw yardage are pretty useless stats. I'd like to run the numbers to compare WPA and ANY/A, which are much more useful stats.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say something about it being the personnel as much as the no-huddle (more playmakers, fewer of the 37 extra tight ends who are no threat to do anything) but I guess my theory's out the window. If it even was accurate to begin with. Still, I like the idea of Cotchery / Sanders / Brown / Bell / Miller on the field over the 27th-string tight end and Mike Adams.
ReplyDeletePersonally refuse to consider playoff possibilities until the Steelers are .500. Now I think they beat Cincy in week 15 to get to 7-7. (After splitting this week & beating Miami.) Then I'll think about playoffs.
The run pass ratio was about 2-1 in favor of the pass, but two of those were Roethlisberger scrambles.
ReplyDeleteCompletion percentage, yardage and touchdowns are useless stats? Man, I must be covering the wrong game.
Sounds like hipsters are watching football now. *sniff* "I suppose you think your four touchdowns are impressive but your WPA and ANY/A tell a whole different story."
ReplyDeleteWhile you may have a valid point Noel, I usually look up at the scoreboard at the end of the game to see if the Steelers have more TDs and FGs than their opponent. If they do, then it’s been a good game. Not sure if you’re impressed with the 4 TD performance by Ben, but it got him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, so overall, a pretty good performance, particularly given the weather conditions.
ReplyDeletehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/20/roethlisberger-wins-afc-offensive-player-of-the-week-award-2/
I was being facetious.
ReplyDeleteMissed Dr Obvious' comments Noel, sorry.
ReplyDelete