WHO GETS THE CREDIT – DENVER EDITION

Close game for the first 3 quarters then the Steelers pulled away. Didn't really think Denver was ever really in control. If they would have scored a touchdown on the drive that led to a field goal maybe that perception would have been different, but woulda, shoulda, coulda. Kyle Orton is no Ben Roethlisberger. Speaking of Ben, I am getting so sick and tired of all these experts saying he is a step below Brady and Manning, don't even compare him to Eli. These are the same guys that early this year said that Eli is better than Peyton. That's pretty much been silenced with the Giants recent losing ways. Hello, Ben has been able to win championships because he is a mobile quarterback. All teams have their weaknesses. The Steelers O-line in the first few years with Alan Faneca, Jeff Hartings and Marvel Smith and crew was average to above average at times and good enough to spring FWP and win a Super Bowl Title. Then, it took them a while to
rebuild. Now the group seems to have come together and become an effective unit again. If you would have stuck Manning or Brady behind that offensive line while they were coming together, both probably would have missed a season, as Brady did, because of injury. But, Ben has a strength that those 2 do not, mobility. Yeah, they can occasionally take off and get a first down, but not consistently. Ben can stand back there and wait for his receivers just like them. But, he can also create a few more seconds for his receivers to wear out the DBs and break open. That's a strength, not a weakness. Sorry if that's not the prototypical quarterback play. One of the 3 stooges, make that 2 stooges, I actually like Gruden as a commentator, said that Ben is not a, I think they said "pretty" quarterback and that's why he doesn't rank up there with the other 2. Like I said, being a pretty quarterback got Tom Brady a year off standing back in
the pocket waiting for Randy Moss to break free. Ben can throw on the run or move around and zip it into Mike Wallace for a TD. I'll take Ben. Once again, how many championships does Peyton have? 1 and Ben? I think 2 last I checked. Peyton's pretty though. Uh, that's debatable. At least he makes funny commercials.

Back to handing out credit for this game. Who deserves the praise for this one…..

Was it Ben?
He started off slowly this one and finished with 200+ yards, 3 Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions. Nice numbers. He was driving the offense down the field and threw a little behind Hines for a possible 4th touchdown, and had an interception, but showed his leadership after giving up the football for a fumble return for a touchdown. He went straight to his offensive line gave a little pep talk and immediately went on a 4 play drive to score a TD right away.

Was it the O-Line?
The running back had a big day, Ben got sacked a couple times, but he had all day to throw and he could have easily thrown a few away to avoid sacks. He, as usual, waited for a receiver to come open and none did. The O-Line played a great game.
Was it the Running Backs?
Rashard had 155 yards rushing, Mewelde got a first down at the end of the game and a provided consistency and ball security. The Steelers controlled the game in the 4th quarter with the running game. It's good to have a quality starter and plenty of depth. We know from experience you can't have enough quality running backs. Sorry, LJ, that only goes for team players.

Was it the receivers?
Santonio had close to 100 yards, Hines had 2 TDs and a sweet hurdle over Champ Bailey for a touchdown, and Mike "the Hawk" Wallace had another TD from a scrambling Ben Roethisberger. The receivers had a quality game, providing much of the offense.

Was it the D-Line?
Brett Keisel had 2 sacks of Kyle Orton, Ziggy Hood got pressure on Orton and forced the pick six by Tyrone Carter. And the Broncos were only able to get 27 yards on 14 carries. 27 yards rushing! Awesome, and that's without Aaron Smith.

Was it the Cornerbacks?
Kyle Orton started off well and had a pretty decent first half, but mostly throwing shorter dink and dunk passes. The DBs played well, and William, "Mr. 69% completion rate" Gay almost had an interception, but was defended well and stripped by Troy Polamalu. Apparently the Steelers feel so sorry for their opponents they have to keep themselves from getting turnovers to help make the game interesting.

Was it the Linebackers?
The Linebackers were quiet this game, but they provided pressure and run support. Stopping the run goes to them also. As usual James Harrison was held many times, but the James told the officials to not call holds on him because it would be unfair to their opponents if they did call holding. I think Woodley needs to slim back down a little to get some speed back. He played well, but seems like he lost a step from last year. Keyaron Fox also played well in the absence of Lawrence Timmons.

Was it the Safeties?
Tyrone Carter, starting in place of Ryan Clark, played a great game and was the Defensive player of the week this week. He had a pick six and another int at the end of the game. Troy Polamalu was his usual amazing self. Two plays tell me all I need to know about Troy. The first, anticipated the snap count perfectly, blew in from the right side of the line, and made a textbook tackle on the Broncos running back a couple yards behind the line before he had any chance to decide where to go. The second play, the Deshea Townsend slipped and the Broncos wide receiver was booking downfield, from the left side of the field you see a missile coming in at an intercept angle 20 yards away. Next thing you know Polamalu's trying to tomahawk the ball out of the receiver's hands and makes the tackle. I don't what Troy's times are in the 40 but he is fast.

Was it the Special Teams?
Two Words, Mitch Berger. Daniel Supulveda, as expected, has provided consistently good punting. It's not noticed unless it's bad and he's for the most part gone unnoticed this year. The Broncos had no run backs for touchdowns in this one. That is all that can be asked after the last 2 games.

Was it the Coaching?
Arians seemed to make good adjustments at halftime to get the offense going and the Defense smothered the Broncos in the second half. But, the game plan didn't seem to work too well in the first half.

Soooo….
I could give the credit for this win to the whole team. It was very much a team effort. But, one group had an above average effort and produced all three interceptions. The Safeties. Tyrone Carter , playing in place of Ryan Clark produced momentum with his pick six, provided another interception later and Troy provided an interception along with the plays mentioned earlier. A great effort by these guys. Is there any question Ty Carter is a player, he could start for 90 percent of the teams in this league. Great job guys.