Toughest Matchup for the Packers?

[mraynrand]

I think Bub was joking. I'd like to see 90% 4 or 5 WR until we take a 28 point lead. Then, I'd like to see us rune the Bone or Big Bone the last quarter of the game.

T-Bone, baby!

[vince]

I think this is going to be one hell of a game.

[Bossman641]

The Packers tendency has been to match up to what they expect the other team to do. They've had games where they've played 100% nickel and other games where they played base until they got into passing situations. 2nd and 3rd & anything over 2 are pretty much passing situation as far as the Packers' D is concerned.

I've actually thought differently during the year. Numerous times the other offense has gone to their base offense or even bigger packages and Capers has continued to sit in nickel. He makes the other team prove they can run consistently against the nickel before moving to a base package or bringing in the run stuffers. The coaches and defensive players have made similar comments, saying that while they may be giving up more yards this year, when they actually play to stop the run they have been good at it. IMO, Capers enjoys the flexibility he gets from the nickel and doesn't move away from it unless needed.

[vince]

I agree Boss. That's what I meant but didn't say it very well.

Rather than matching up to personnel on a play-by-play basis like a lot of defenses tend to do, Capers has been game planning and matching up to tendencies and strengths - and sticking to it regardless of offensive personnel until/unless he needs to adjust if they're getting hurt one way or another.

Even in nickel, they've been OK against the run with Raji, Pickett, and Jenkins for the most part, particularly against passing teams like the Eagles. They've been able to keep teams from explosive plays and scoring.

Based on the tendency of the Steelers to commit to running the ball, I think the Packers will play a bit more base 3-4 on early downs - similar to what they did vs. the Falcons, Jets, and others.

[MichiganPackerFan]

I hope the packers explode throughout the whole game so I can celebrate and have fun instead of sitting in a tightly wound stress ball. Long shot i know.

[BlueBrewer]

[imscott72]

Pouncey is going to be out for the game from what I'm hearing on Twitter. Huge loss for them..

[steve823]

Pouncey is going to be out for the game from what I'm hearing on Twitter. Huge loss for them..

BJ Raji must be licking his lips right now.

[imscott72]

BJ Raji must be licking his lips right now.

If Pouncey is out, Steelers are without 4 of their 5 offensive line projected starters. Go Dom go...

[Kiwon]

If Pouncey is out, Steelers are without 4 of their 5 offensive line projected starters. Go Dom go...

Yeah, if the Packers have a dominant defensive performance then Dom Capers' stock will be sky high.

[swede]

Aren't all of the HC jobs locked up already for this year?

[wist43]

Number one concern has to be pass protection... if they struggle with 5/7 step drops, then M3 needs to give help; that said, my base game plan would be heavily slanted toward the passing game, and running out of passing formations. If we line up and show run, and do in fact run, we're going to be punting a lot... I think we can run the ball, but we'll have to get those yds out of passing formations.

Defensively shutting down the run has to be the first priorty... I'd look to take Ward and Miller away before Wallace. If they hit one to Wallace?? I can live with that, as long as it's only 1, and Ward and Miller are contained.

[Bretsky]

#1 concern is containing Big Ben
the Steelers OL sucks
but this offense is very dangerous if they let him start playing street ball

2 is OL
we'll get shredded if we try to run and MM knows that
I'm expecting a lot of 4 WR sets because if our OL is even average we can tear them apart


Our big disadvantage on offense will be our run blocking versus their front seven. They are top dog in run defense

Our big advantage on offense is our WR's versus the people that will be covering us

We need to expose that

[Bub]

Pitt's O Line must still be playing decent. The Jets have a decent Def and Pitt still ran the ball great, w/out Pouncey most of the game. Are they just max protecting or are they that deep?

[denverYooper]

Pitt's O Line must still be playing decent. The Jets have a decent Def and Pitt still ran the ball great, w/out Pouncey most of the game. Are they just max protecting or are they that deep?

Jets were just not tackling Mendenhall very well.