Here's my rundown of your offense vs. our defense:
1. LOS - if Pouncey is out, you are going to have trouble with our front 3, especially with Raji up the middle. Raji is having a breakout year and a career postseason. He's a big, strong guy, and sticking a backup in to block him is not only creating a matchup problem in the center, but also runs the risk of a botched snap or two. The way we mix up blitz packages, we can have Matthews coming in, or dropping back, and the same thing goes for Woodson. Jenkins should be good for at least 1 sack and a few hurries.
2. QB - here's where I think you can counter our blitz and our push at the LOS. Ben has been known to do well under pressure and outside of the pocket. If he can avoid our blitz and our pass rush, he can have a field day as the D becomes vulnerable to big plays if the pass rush doesn't get enough pressure, or the pressure is avoided. I know Ben has the capability to take advantage of that. He's accurate, has a big arm, and can run...all three characteristics that make for a VERY dangerous QB outside of the pocket. If we hit him a few times and rattle his nerves a bit (not injure him, just make him nervous), we can control this.
3. RB - Where you really have our number. Our biggest issue on defense this year has been bringing guys down. Powerful running backs just keep pushing and our guys can't get them to the ground. Mendenhall has shown a lot of promise this year, he's got power, some breakaway speed, and good moves (dare I say, like a young LT?). He's dangerous, but if Capers plays it right, we could be able to limit his yardage. If your play calling catches Capers off guard, Mendenhall will have a field day.
4. WRs and Secondary - This is where our major strengths on defense lie. Tramon Williams has emerged as a truly shutdown corner. Right up there with the likes of Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha. His play has been phenomenal this year, and I think he can keep Wallace in check, maybe giving up one big play because heck, the guy is fast. Woodson and Shields will cover Ward. Woodson is pretty good covering the possession receivers like Ward, and as long as he's in coverage and isn't blitzing, Hines will get frustrated. I don't know much about your third WR, so I'll leave that up to speculation.
5. TE - It's been an issue for us all season because we all too often leave the middle of the field wide open. I don't see that changing much during this game, and if Ben sees that, Miller could have a huge game.
All in all, our teams made it this far because they are the best of their respected divisions. We played (and beat) all of the best teams in our conference, all highly touted teams (Eagles, Bears, Falcons) that we took down on the road. We're here because we're the best, and we match up well against each other. This is going to be a GREAT F****** GAME.
I hate to quote a long post, but if I answer this without the quote, someone will jump in not thinking I am responding. I'll take them point by point.
1-I am not exceptionally worried about Raji on Legursky. Legs has started games for the Steelers this season at both guard spots. He struggled last week with snaps because he has not played or practiced there all season, but I think he will be fine with his snaps. He has practiced every day with Casey Hampton over his head and while Raji certainly is coming into his own, Hampton is a multiple time Pro Bowler and is what Raji aspires to be. It has been reported that Legs is playing exceptionally well in practice AND Pouncey is out of the boot, walking with no crutches. Today is the day to find out if he plays. Finally, if Raji gives some trouble, we just double the nose as the Pack do not bring heat in the middle often.
2-What a lot of people have not noticed about Ben lately, he has gotten even better in areas he once struggled. He now sees the blitz better and will unload on quick slants and quick hitters. Two of Mike Wallace's long TDs were quick slants where his speed split the safeties for the long play. Ben is also taking some shorter stuff. And, they have some veterans that have taken it up a notch. Miller is playing excellent football. Adams will be fired up being in his first Super Bowl. Mendenhall has ratcheted it up a notch. This is a veteran team that knows when to get it done.
3-Mendy has been playing lights out in the playoffs. He is running behind his pads. The upside is, Redman is actually a better power guy. He just does not have that break away speed that Mendy has (ran a 4.41 forty at the combine and was reported to run a 4.35 prior to the draft). Then, they have Moore, who is an excellent 3rd down, change of pace guy. He has a knack for getting first downs. It is a good mix for the Steelers. All three can play in any instance and they will call their numbers. All three are willing pass blockers as well. I think this is being over looked by a lot of people. All the Steelers TEs and RBs are excellent at blitz pickup and all the Steelers WRs and TEs block well in the run game. Balance is the key.
4-Tramon Williams won't stay with Wallace. The Ravens put their best corner on him and kept safety help over the top. The Jets would not put Revis on him, they opted for the faster Cromartie, then put safety help over the top. Tramon Williams did not break 4.5 prior to the draft. In fact, one 40 time at his pro day was greater than 4.6. His best time, if I recall, was 4.57. On a good day, he runs a 4.45 at best. That won't cut it with Wallace. His game speed is as good as any player. He is in the class of guys like Deion Sanders and Chris Johnson. Sam Shields may be the only guy that has the speed to run with him. The huge advantage is, Wallace has developed into an excellent route runner this season and he gets off the line as good as any WR. I cannot tell you how many WRs I scouted (once ran a draft website). Wallace is special. He still awes me. As for the 3rd WR, I like Sanders. He is a lot like Santonio Holmes, but is a rookie and makes rookie mistakes at times. The thing is, he and Antonio Brown, the other rookie, have made HUGE plays in clutch situations. I trust them and the coaches do as well. The game is not too big for them.
5-Miller has been playing unreal in the playoffs. It is like he has stepped it up. There are a few players that were called upon lately, like the OL in the run game, Miller and the WRs, and Mendenhall. Mendy and Miller have had two playoff games that are unreal. It is like they are completely different players.
I think the intangible that the Steelers have is experience. Flozell Adams was talking about this team early this week. He stated that, in the Ravens game, when they were down at the half by 14, he remembered back to his Dallas days and thought, "here we go again". He said in Dallas,that would be it, it was over. He gets in the locker room and the Steeler players are pumped up, stating they are not out of this, get up and play, we can come back, we can win this. Flozell said he had never been in an atmosphere like this. Polamalu stated they had to take the game over on defense that they had played poorly. They had allowed 98 yards of total offense and were pissed they played poorly. Then, they crushed the Ravens creating 3 turnovers on the next 4 drives and allowed a total of 9 plays on those 4 drives.
IMO, that is the biggest difference.
