GDT Week 8- Steelers (5-1) at Saints (4-3) Sunday Night

[SWATcha]

This has the potential to be that one game of the year the Saints absolutely destroy someone because everyone picks against them. Happens every year at least once.

With the way the Saints are playing however, this game also has the potential to go all wrong real fast. Brees has such a hard time against 3-4 defenses it seems, and Lebeau is tops in the league for D-Coordinators in my book. With both starting CBs most likely out still, Big Ben might have a field day.

Bush might be back, but I think him and Payton both will be gunshy about getting that leg hurt again, so he may be a non-factor other than decoy duty.

Has all the makings of a great game. If you Steeler guys get bored of actually talking football, go ahead and stop by the Saints gameday thread, so much win in our thread this week We gotta make ourselves feel good somehow!

Good luck fellas.
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[Raves]

I already put some "Win" on the first page
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2011 Stats:
Malcolm Jenkins - 78 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FF, 9 PD, 1 FRTD
Jimmy Graham - 99 catches, 1310 yards, 11 TD

[panda51988]

thanks for that picture raves, its beautiful! i have a thing for squirrels. how'd you know?





but really, those girls are great, they could use less body paint but thanks for that!

[Raves]

[JDLefebvre]

[jt21]

I think Steelers win BIG, with a game similar to the Saints-Cowboys game a year ago.

Brees and the Saints O typically struggle with 3-4 defenses. Even against the Browns and Cardinals defenses, neither of which are even remotely as good as the Pitt D, Brees looked rattled, the offensive line was completely confused in their blocking assignments much of the time.

Bush didn't practice today, so he's probably unlikely to play, and Pierre is definitely out. Ladell Betts has directly led to 3 turnovers in the last 3 games and is simply not on the same page with Brees. Outside of the Tampa game against an incredibly weak defensive line, the Saints Oline has been getting manhandled. Against the #1 ranked run defense of Pitt, I don't see the Saints being able to establish any balance, especially without Bush, which means Brees will be forced to drop back and air it out 30-40+ times, which is going to lead to tipped balls and interceptions.

I don't foresee the injury to Aaron Smith making much of an impact. Hood and whoever else plays in his spot will hold their own against a struggling Saints front.

For the Steelers offensively, Big Ben will have 2 games under his belt and is going against a secondary missing potentially the top 3 corners. Porter and Gay are definitely out, Greer did not practice yet again today, so he is likely looking at a combination of rookie Patrick Robinson, Leigh Torrence, and Malcolm Jenkins, which heavily favors Pitt. Up front, the Saints front four has failed to generate much pressure, with the two DE's Will Smith and Alex Brown being extremely disappointing. I think profootballfocus had the stat but I believe the two have combined for only around 20 or 30 quarterback pressures on the season, which is less than some players get by themselves in ONE game.

The Saints have played ONE offense ranked in the top half of the league in Atlanta, and were largely gashed, especially in the run game. Overall they have fared well against the likes of Max Hall, Jimmy Clausen, and Colt McCoy. Big Ben is in a completely different class, and this will be a massive test for the Saints D. I think the Saints will struggle to pressure Ben, giving him tons of time in the pocket and he will be able to pick the banged up secondary apart. While Robinson has held his own as a rookie, if Malcolm Jenkins is indeed forced to slide over from safety to the other corner spot again, I see the Steelers taking advantage and hitting Mike Wallace for at least one big touchdown.

The Steelers are also the best run offense the Saints have faced since Atlanta. When that game mattered, Turner and Snelling completely gashed the Saints D. I think the Saints defensive rankings are greatly inflated due to playing teams like the Panthers, Browns, and Cardinals and the Steelers, with the aid of turnovers will take advantage for 30+ points.

One key stat, particularly since Brees has typically struggled mightily against the 3-4 defense: Since joining the Saints in 2006, Brees has thrown an interception or lost a fumble in approximately 38 games. Of those games, 22 of them were multiple-turnover games by Brees: that means that when Brees turns it over in a game, he has a GREATER THAN 50% CHANCE to turn it over again. This season, Brees has turned the ball over in 4 games, 3 of which involved Brees throwing 2+ interceptions.

Saints have played, especially offensively, only played 1 good game this season against Tampa. With Bush likely out, I don't see them turning it around against the best defense in the league. On the other side, Big Ben will be playing his 3rd game against a defense that is banged up in the secondary and has only been tested in one or 2 games this season. After playing Miami a week ago, I think Big Ben will pick apart the Saints D and have a big game.

Somewhat pessimistic, but mostly realistic prediction: Steelers win 31-10. This will be the toughest defense the Saints have played all season, and maybe even in 2 years, dating back to the Jets game a year ago. I think they will be lucky to break 10 points. While the Saints have struggled against a top 3 easy schedule, the Steelers have played teams like the Dolphins, Ravens, and Titans and come away 5-1. They are going to dominate and show that they are the Super Bowl favorites through 8 games.

[pnies20]

[greene91fan]

[Rockice_8]

Not a fan of either team actually but I watch PIT games cause my roommate is one.

I think the Saints can hang in this one. If PIT has one weakness it's against very good passing teams. I guess it all depends on which Saints show up though.

Big Ben is always good for a bonehead play if you can pressure him so that will be key.

With that said PIT wins a close one 27-24. Behind a late Health Miller TD.

[stillersenat]

[waffles7]

[Pipes]

Tough game to predict. Which Saints team will show up?

The Steelers are always ready for national games, but going to the Superdome at night...

I cannot see the Steelers winning big. Any other outcome seems possible to me.

[steelcurtain29]

Madden sim says 23-19 Steeler win!

http://maddennfl.easports.com/news.action?newsId=wk8sims
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Come Follow My Oakland Multi-Sport Franchise!

[stefan52268]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/pittsburgh-steelers/09000d5d81bb083e/Happy-Pola-ween


Here's a Halloween treat for all you kiddies out there!!!
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Props to Lyasr529 on the sweet sig!

[stillersenat]

I think Vegas has the Steelers as a 1 point favorite.
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