5 THINGS THE STEELERS MUST DO TO BEAT THE BUCCANEERS

The Steelers vs. the Buccaneers. Two teams that have won their first 2 games. The Steelers have relied on defense to win their first two games and got an assist from the Special Teams and Antonio Brown in game 2. The Buccaneers have relied on a young team to get to 2-0. Last week their defense came up with 3 turnovers and 4 sacks to outlast the Carolina Panthers and their second year quarterback has played up to the team’s expectations.

5. Steelers vs. the Tampa Bay heat, not the Miami Heat, the Tampa Bay Heat

In week 2 the Steelers needed all the linemen they could muster to fend of the Tennessee heat. They shuttled them in and out the whole game. They had to released Byron Leftwich for a game in order to sign an additional lineman in Steve McClendon, who recovered a fumble when he was in. That was worth one week’s pay. With the aging Steelers defensive line they’ll need to do more of the same to keep the Offensive and Defensive Line fresh the whole game. It did not help that Trai Essex is out this week. Get the Gatorade and Ivs ready.

4. Keep Josh Freeman in check

The Bucs 2nd year quarterback is Josh Freeman, out of the hotbed of quarterbacks, Kansas State. Is he a future star or just another in a long line of wannabe quarterbacks for the Bucs, sorry Byron. He is 6-6, strong armed and hard to bring down guy that has had a knack for escaping some tackles in the backfield. Sound like someone the Steelers are familiar with in (and out) of their lineup. Like Ben(gave it away didn’t I) Freeman needs to be contained in the pocket. If he’s able to escape the pass rush by shuffling to his right or left a few steps he could be able to find another youngster Mike Williams streaking down the field. So, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley need to wrap him up if they get their hands on him. He may be 2-0 this year, but he hasn’t met up with the Steelers Defense yet. 1st and 2nd year guys don’t typically perform too well against Dick Lebeau’s defense. It’s hard to throw a pass while lying on your back.

3. Charlie Batch needs to be productive

The Steelers are down to the last option that they had planned to use going into the season, Charlie Batch. Luckily, Batch is an experienced NFL quarterback. He is talented, and has proven he can win games. The only thing that has hurt his chances of starting is his inability to stay healthy when he gets a chance, broken collarbone last time when Ben wrecked his motorcycle. So, this is Charlie’s chance to stay healthy and prove he can run this offense. He doesn’t need to throw for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns, he just needs to hit some key passes here and there and get a touchdown or 2, and avoid the interceptions. He is more than capable of doing that.

2. Rashard Mendenhall
Do you think the Steelers gameplan for today includes Rashard Mendenhall and smashmouth running. I do. Charlie needs to be effective but Rashard needs to move the chains consistently. The Buccaneers will most likely try to make Batch win the game by stacking the line. The good thing is stopping the run is not their strength. Mendenhall will get his carries today and he needs to continue to get the tough yards.

1. Defense, Defense, Defense

Until Ben returns, it is going to be up to the defense to keep the team in the game. They appear to know that and seem to have taken it upon themselves to do just that. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison have easily become the top outside linebacker combination in the league and Lawrence Timmons has become a linebacker on a mission this year. He is making all the tackles he’s supposed to make and making plays nobody expected him to make. Chris Johnson appeared stunned several times when Timmons came out of nowhere to put a hit on him. The secondary was much better last week until they went into the prevent defense. They made the big play on Nate Washington in the end zone when they needed it. Troy is Troy, ‘nuff said.