But a playoff-winning defense would have forced a turnover during the Steelers final drive. Instead, the Packers mishandled two opportunities -- one apiece by Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson -- and had a third overturned by penalty. A playoff-winning defense shouldnt allow a 32-yard pass on 4th-down and 7, but thats what happened when Roethlisberger found Santonio Holmes wide open with 1:14 remaining.
And frankly, a playoff-winning defense wouldnt have felt compelled to retreat into a dime defense -- which included two relative newcomers to the lineup whom the Steelers repeatedly targeted -- on the final drive. But thats where defensive coordinator Dom Capers landed on the final play. Roethlisberger found Wallace matched up with dime back Josh Bell, whom the Packers signed last month and were using only because Brandon Underwood was sidelined with a hip injury.
Capers has had the Packers on the attack for most of their recent five-game winning streak, but Sunday he chose to emphasize coverage over pass rush.
They went to four wide receivers, Capers sad. Down the stretch there, we felt we would have been better off matching up defensive backs on receivers.
"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:
One thing the author conveniently omits.. the LeBeau and Capers probably know more about each others defense than just about any other team in the NFL. There isn't anything that one or the other could throw out there that they haven't just seen but probably have called themselves.
Now, don't color me as not being a bit frustrated about the final drive and the lack of pressure calls.. but to shade the entire game a failure based on both defenses getting shredded is a mistake in my opinion.
There was a reason that both offenses had answers for the defense.. familiarity.
And in my opinion.. it was the lack of execution on our receivers part much of the game for us not putting up more points than we did.. probably making the last drive meaningless in the overall scheme.
When you have a blueprint for a defense and know it intimately.. it makes the job a hell of a lot easier to attack it. IMO, that is what we seen from both teams this weekend.. the Steeler offense, most notably the receivers, outperformed the Packers offense.
Jennings, Driver, Jones can be all wound up about Finley getting more opportunities if they want.. but dropping passes week after week isn't going to change that.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"