Mike Tomlin spent a lot of time talking up the New York Jets on Tuesday and apparently did more of the same to his team.
Several guys that I spoke with on Wednesday talked about how the Jets were a good team that has been derailed by turning the football over 18 times this season.
There's a lot of truth to that.
The Jets have a very good front seven, led by linemen Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, that has generated 25 sacks.
The issue, however, in addition to the turnovers, is that the Jets have allowed 25 sacks and, more importantly, 24 touchdown passes.
The NFL record for TD passes allowed in a single season is 40 by the 1963 Denver Broncos. The Jets are on pace to easily surpass that.
Twelve of the turnovers belong to former starting quarterback Geno Smith, who threw 10 interceptions and fumbled twice in 233 pass attempts while getting sacked 15 times.
But new starter Michael Vick hasn't been markedly better. His passer rating of 67.4 is barely above that of Smith (65.6) and he's thrown one interception and has lost two fumbles in 84 pass attempts while also being sacked 10 times.
The Jets can beat the Steelers. That much is certain. But if it does happen, it will be because the players didn't heed Tomlin's warnings and Vick suddenly finds his groove.
@ I got to the bottom of the Steelers' use of their inside linebackers on Wednesday. Here's the link that explains it: http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20141105/SPORTS0403/141109697
That's a good article you linked. Thanks for getting to the root of their recent Mack rotation. Colts game really confused/surprised me, and the Ravens game only compounded that.
ReplyDeleteBroncos were in the AFL in 1963. Did the League co-opt the AFL records when they merged?
I appreciate Tomlin making the effort to emphasize that the Jets have good players, they’ve just turned the ball over too much. Their running game should be a concern for the Steelers and their defensive front seven is tough. I think the game will be close, but that said, does anybody know what the record is for passing touchdowns in three consecutive games?
ReplyDeleteThe record for passing TDs in 3 consecutive games is 15 by Manning in 2004.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the 3 game TD record is a big deal, but another 6 would be. The linked article was great. Does it mean the coaches now know the players strengths and are playing to them. If so I expect a lot of Ben, Bell and Brown again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick for the info, getting 3 to tie it or 4 to take it shouldn't be that hard against a team that has given up 24 passing TDs so far this season.
ReplyDeleteAgree George, it's not that big of a deal, but anytime Ben can break a record held by Peyton, it puts him in that elite category.
Good article by Dale! Stopping the jets rush attack will be the key for Steelers. They will also need to contain Vick somehow or at least limit his rushing yards. I still think it will boil down to who wins the turnover battle. I hope Steelers are able to run the ball on Jets.
ReplyDeleteBtw, do you guys remember the first outing of Martavis Bryant in the preseason? It was as nightmarish and ugly outing as it can get for a rookie but he picked it up really fast and he is now an integral part of the Steelers offense. Ryan Shazier on the other hand had as good of a start as it can get but he has been a non-factor and is not able to stay on the field in regular season. There is another reason why preseason games mean so little.
Jimmy Smith done for year.
ReplyDeleteFittipaldi identified Antwan Blake as the dancing bug on the kick off team. What's worse is it was Blake's lane that Jones went through for the TD. No wonder Tomlin was mad.
ReplyDeleteI don't ever recall getting burned by Vick, I think the Steelers always had a solid game plan against him..
ReplyDeleteOne can say, every game that it comes down to the turn over battle and that we need to stop their rushing attack.
The Jets can't handle Bell coming out of the backfield, nor do they have the corners to cover. I don't see this game even being close..
The Steelers by 21
Zeke
You dont recall us ever being burned by vick? When he was with Atlanta, Vick owned the Steelers in the few games they played. I don't think we've ever beaten him, and he tore our heart out with the falcons.
ReplyDeleteWe have never beaten Michael Vick, because none of us have ever played a down for the Steelers. However, the Steelers have beaten (and tied) Michael Vick. They are 1-1-1.
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ReplyDeletePassing Rushing Receiving
Rk Year G# Date Age Tm Opp Result GS Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Rate Y/A AY/A Att Yds Y/A TD Rec Yds Tgt Y/R TD Pts
1 2002 9 2002-11-10 22-137 ATL @ PIT T 34-34 * 24 46 52.17 294 1 0 79.4 6.39 6.83 10 38 3.80 1 0 0 0 0 6
Passing Rushing Receiving
Rk Year G# Date Age Tm Opp Result GS Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Rate Y/A AY/A Att Yds Y/A TD Rec Yds Tgt Y/R TD Pts
2 2006 6 2006-10-22 26-118 ATL PIT W 41-38 * 18 30 60.00 232 4 2 96.1 7.73 7.40 5 40 8.00 0 1 1 1 1.00 0 0
Passing Rushing Receiving
Rk Year G# Date Age Tm Opp Result GS Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Rate Y/A AY/A Att Yds Y/A TD Rec Yds Tgt Y/R TD Pts
3 2012 5 2012-10-07 32-103 PHI @ PIT L 14-16 * 20 30 66.67 175 2 0 104.2 5.83 7.17 5 16 3.20 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Games 1-1-1 62 106 58.49 701 7 2 92.5 6.61 7.08 20 94 4.70 1 1 1 2 1.00 0 6