Expect underdog Steelers to be in hurry
Running the football used to be a way of life in the AFC North. Not so this season.
Eleven weeks into the season, the AFC North has produced only one 100-yard rusher, Baltimore’s Ray Rice last week in a loss at Chicago.
All four AFC North teams are averaging less than 100 yards rushing per game. They’re not alone. Eleven teams enter the weekend at less than 100 yards per game, the most in the NFL since 2007.
Which brings us to the Steelers.
With little consistency in the running game and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on pace to be sacked a career-high 58 times, the Steelers decided last week to use a no-huddle offense extensively in an effort to slow the Detroit Lions’ pass rush.
The results were dramatic. With Roethlisberger getting the ball out of his hands quickly, the Steelers slowed Detroit’s pass rush to a crawl. He was sacked just once – a season-low – despite dropping back to pass 48 times.
The Steelers used short, quick passes to supplement the running game, with running backs catching seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
At his news conference Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin tried to downplay the use of the no-huddle as an offensive weapon for the remainder of this season. Don’t believe that for a minute. That was coachspeak used to keep the Cleveland Browns from spending the entire week preparing for the no-huddle.
The Steelers might not use it as much as they did last week, but they will use it.
That will be critical today against the Browns, whose defense is coordinated by former Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton, a Dick LeBeau disciple.
Cleveland’s defense is its strength, but as we’ve seen over the years, a quick passing game and hurry-up offenses can be very effective against the style of defense the Steelers use. But you have to have the right quarterback to do it. The Steelers do. The Browns, in Jason Campbell, do not.
The Steelers are getting two points, and that seems like a gift considering Roethlisberger is 15-1 in his career against the Browns.
Take the Steelers, 20-13.
The Cowboys are coming off a bye but are a mess defensively.
Take the Giants, 31-20.
Arizona coach Bruce Arians won coach of the year honors last season with the Colts while subbing for Chuck Pagano. Indianapolis has better talent.
Take Indianapolis, 24-20.
Should be a classic Peyton Manning-Tom Brady shootout. New England is 5-0 at home, but …
Take Denver, 38-31.
San Francisco has lost two in a row and can’t afford another slip up in the competitive NFC.
Take San Francisco, 24-17.
New York Jets (plus 3) at Baltimore
The Jets haven’t won two in a row or lost two in a row all season. They lost last week, so … the trend ends.
Take Baltimore, 17-13.
The Panthers might be giddy coming off a win over the Patriots Monday night. But the Dolphins won’t be able to hang.
Take Carolina, 23-14.
Can Chiefs rebound after their first loss? Yes.
Take Kansas City, 27-20.
The Bears are 31st in the league against the run – and that includes a game against the Steelers in which they allowed only 80 yards.
Take St. Louis, 23-17.
The Bucs are on a two-game winning streak. They won’t make it three.
Take Detroit, 30-17.
The Packers should be able to generate enough offense against the Vikings at home.
Take Green Bay, 24-17.
Houston hasn’t won since Week 2, but the Texans are better than Jacksonville.
Take Houston, 27-10.
A pair of 4-6 teams trying to stay relevant in the AFC playoff race.
Take Oakland, 20-17.
Last Week: 4-8-2 ATS; 9-5 Straight up
Overall: 60-86-6 ATS; 94-58 Straight up
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.