QUOTE(Krn_Track_Star @ Oct 6 2005, 04:07 PM) [snapback]71053[/snapback]
well. its because the steelers have to good of a defense like you said and there offense can score with big ben throwing avg of 300 yards per a game. i like the chargers but there not consistance there unpredictable.
My counterargument is this:
"Big Ben"
doesn't throw for an average of 300 yards per game. Truth be told, the stats show that Roethlisberger only averages 20 pass attempts per game for an average of 229 yards this season. His average yardage per pass is only more than 11 yards - which would seem to indicate predominantly safe, high percentage short routes. Interestingly enough, in the Steelers two wins, Ben only averaged 16 pass attempts - and this is against teams that have a combined 1-6 record. Unquestionably, the bread and butter of the Steeler offense is their running game and rightfully so, they're the 7th ranked rushing team in the NFL. I don't know if it's conservative playcalling, a need to protect Roethlisberger's learning curve as a new QB to the league - or maybe a little bit of both - but the Pittsburgh offense does not primarily rely on his arm to directly get the job done. They are a smashmouth offensive team and they get the job done on the ground.
Now, with that said - insomuch that this is a veritable strength of the Pittsburgh offense, it ironically plays into the strength of the San Diego defense. The Chargers aren't too shabby against the run, ranking 5th in the NFL overall in their run defense. San Diego runs the 3-4 under Wade Phillips, much like Pittsburgh does, and the strength of their defense lies in their linebacking corps. Led by Donnie Edwards and Steve Foley, these guys are quick, athletic, and really get at the ball carrier. Admittedly, the Charger secondary is suspect - but to expect Ben Roethlisberger to come out slinging the ball would be asking the Steeler offense to play out of character. As the stats attest, passing the ball on a consistent basis is just not something they rely on too much, unless they really have to (see their loss to New England, when Ben attempted nearly 30 pass attempts, but only for 216 yards).
If there's anything that I think is obvious to predict, the Steelers are going to try and establish their running game early on to control the clock and the tempo of the game. And this is precisely where I think the outcome of the game will foreshadow the outcome. If the Chargers 5th ranked run defense proves to be up to the task and snuffs out the effectiveness of the Steeler running game, then certainly the pressure will certainly be on Roethlisberger to carry the team. But like I said, this throws the Pittsburgh offense "out of character", so to speak, and I still think it remains to be seen how successful Ben is, even with the suspect Charger secondary and all. Statistically, the San Diego pass defense is bad - but over the last two games agains the Giants and Patriots, they have showed a little bit of improvement. And most of that improvement is due in part to a better pash rush on the part of their defensive line. They may not show for it in terms of sacks - but as I'm sure Manning and Brady can attest, they were under pressure and hurried in their throws a good number of times.
The other thing I'd like to see is how well the San Diego offense matches up against the Pittsburgh defense. San Diego has been clicking of late on offense, thanks to the return of Antonio Gates - and particularly
because of the return of that TE, the Charger offense has actually become a slightly more balanced offense than some people believe. It's not entirely the LaDainian Tomlinson show down in San Diego. Pittsburgh has to be careful stacking up the box in order to stop LT. Because, if they do, then the simple adjustment by Brees is to find Gates on a quick pass, perhaps isolated on single coverage. As great as the "Steel Curtain" is, I'd like to think that the Chargers provide them a venerable challenge. San Diego isn't another Houston or Tennessee in terms of offense. San Diego is no New England juggernaut either ... but then again, look what happened when the Patriots played them in their backyard.
Anyway, to sum up - I'm just logically saying - primarily from a statistical standpoint and respective team tendencies being the way they are - I doubt that it will be blowout Pittsburgh victory of the magnitude of 33-17 or 30-14 as has been predicted above. I think it's going to be closely fought match with the score separation no more than 4 points - and with either team really winning it. (I just happen to hope that it's the Chargers that come out on the winning end.

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