This week, the reigning Super Bowl champions, the New York Football Giants, are strutting through Pittsburgh. Both teams sport impressive records of 5 and 1. This is a challenge for both franchises.
The first thing to consider is that this is a home game for the Steelers. So we’ll give them a little head start with that. However, this same Giant team has won on the road. View the Super Bowl run through the 2008 playoffs as Exhibit A.
The next factor that we can consider is the schedule. Is it a cheat game or a preparation game? Well, both teams have tough games after this one. The Steelers will head to Washington DC after the Giants and the Giants will return home to face the Cowboys. For the Giants, the Cowboys game is more daunting because it’s a division game and the Cowboys are hurting and losing control, so the Giants would love to stomp on them. Also, after the Cowboys, the Giants will travel to another division city. They will play against the Philadelphia Eagles. So I would say the schedule effect plays into the Steelers’ advantage as well. The Steelers will face the Giants, Washington and then Indianapolis. All non-division games.
How much of those things really matter? I’ve always felt it was more of a media creation. But who knows right? The fact is that both teams are capable of getting 3 or more wins in a row and yet any of the following teams playing is quite capable of beating any of them.
So what do I think will happen this week?
I see the strength of the Giants on offense playing to the strength of our defense. Brandon Jacobs is a beast as a running back and the Giants love to hit him on the opposing defense. He already has over 500 yards this season and has scored 6 touchdowns. Derrick Ward has added 337 yards on 47 carries with Ahmad Bradshaw adding a modest 147 yards. The Giants backfield has accumulated over 1,000 yards and leads the league thus far. The Steelers defense has only given up 418 total rushing yards against them.
This will be a crucial aspect of the game. The #1 run team vs. the #2 run defense! I’m sure the Steelers will contain the Giants’ running game. If they plan to win, they will have to.
When the Giants do throw the ball they have had reasonable success. They rank 11th in passing offense. The Steelers lead the league in passing defense. So here we have #11 shooting the ball in front of the #1 pass defense.
In fact, this week the Steelers took over the No. 1 overall defense ranking in the NFL from the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Giants are currently the #7 ranked offense overall. But I’m confident the Steelers will continue their defensive dominance at home against the Giants.
However, it’s important to consider that part of the Giants’ identity going into the Super Bowl last season was their own dominant defense. They actually baffled the Patriots in the Super Bowl. So far this season, the Giants are ranked #4 overall as a defenseman.
So Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians needs to have a good game plan of his own. One that doesn’t include Ben Roethlisberger eating grass or being bullied. In this matchup, we have Pittsburgh, the #25 overall NFL offense, against the #4 ranked defense. Giants Advantage.
Clearly, Willie Parker’s injuries have led to an unusually modest running game by the Steelers this year. They are ranked at an impressive #22 with 656 total yards from their backfield. However, in the last 2 weeks, Mewelde Moore has stepped up and added 219 yards to that total. Let’s hope it’s a sign of reestablishing his presence in the race. They will have to step up against the Giants’ run defense ranked No. 5.
Ben Roethlisberger has a respectable 98.1 QB rating and is completing a good 63% of his passes and of late Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington have been complementing Hines ward very well as open outs. But the Steelers are still a No. 21-ranked pass offense. They face the No. 11 ranked passing defense.
These numbers thus far should be digested knowing that thus far the Steelers have played 3 teams with 3 wins and 3 losses in Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Baltimore and a Houston team that has 2 and 4. The Giants have faced a 5 and 2 Washington, a 2 and 4 St. Louis, a 2 and 5 San Francisco, and a 1 and 5 Seattle. Both teams have faced the 2 and 4 Cleveland Browns and each had an extra week of rest against the 0 for 7 Cincinnati Bengals.
Ultimately I’m closing in on a Pittsburgh win. Losing to the Giants is clearly possible, but I think the Steelers do this at home.
That means I’m assuming Moore will continue to direct the production and if Wille Parker leaves, he can add a spark. I also hope Pittsburgh doesn’t turn the ball over and I pray for 2 of the Giants. I think Ben will take 3 shots downfield and hit one deep. I also assume that the defense will remain No. 1 for another week.
Pittsburgh 17 New York Giants 15
The disabled list is as follows as of Thursday 10/23. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has McFadden out for 5 weeks.
Keyaron Fox LB Hamstring did not participate in practice –
Bryant McFadden CB forearm did not participate in practice —
Marvel Smith T Back did not participate in practice —
Aaron Smith DE Not Injury Related Did Not Participate in Practice —
Najeh Davenport RB Not injury related Full participation in practice —
Brett Keisel DE Non-Injury Related Full Participation in Practice —
Deshea Townsend CB Not related to injury Full participation in practice —
Hines Ward WR Not related to injury Full participation in practice —
Willie Parker RB Knee Limited participation in practice —
Plaxico Burress WR Shoulder did not participate in practice —
Gerris Wilkinson LB Knee did not participate in practice —
Antonio Pierce LB Quadricep Full participation in practice —
David Diehl T Back Limited participation in practice —