dirty
EOG Master
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/04/06 Falcons coach Jim Mora watched his team fall 21 points behind before scoring 18 unanswered points in a three-point loss to Seattle in the second game of the season. Mora's 8-8 squad didn't face Pittsburgh this season, but will play host to it in the Georgia Dome next season.
With the Seahawks and Steelers facing off in the Super Bowl this evening, Mora gave the AJC his analysis of how the game could play out.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=175 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- BEGIN Clickability "Most Popular" links -->
MOST POPULAR STORIES
<!-- END Clickability "Most Popular" links --></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=170 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=170 bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width=168 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=148>
[FONT=arial, helvetica]EMAIL THIS[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]PRINT THIS[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]MOST POPULAR[/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width=5>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext-->
??????????
FOR THE SEAHAWKS
Seattle will be able to move the ball on offense because: They have had two weeks to prepare for the unfamiliar 3-4 defense. Typically, West Coast-style run games have had success against a 3-4 defense and with a back like Shaun Alexander running the ball you have a good combination. Seattle has one of, if not the best, offensive lines in football and they are very well coached, so I don't see them having the protection problems that Indianapolis had in the divisional game vs. Pittsburgh. Mike Holmgren will do a great job mixing the quick 3-step passing game in with the run and some maximum protection shots down the field to counter Pittsburgh's pressure package.
??????????
Seattle could struggle on offense because: If they struggle running the football and allow Pittsburgh to get them in 3rd-and-long it will be very tough to convert. You're playing into Pittsburgh's strength - pinning their ears back and attacking the QB.
??????????
To slow down Pittsburgh's passing game, Seattle must: Stop the run early. I know that sounds backward but they can't let Pittsburgh have it both ways early in the game. If you spend the entire day committing eight defenders to the box any QB/WR combination can hurt you, and Pittsburgh is not just any QB/WR combination; they are on fire.
??????????
To slow down Pittsburgh's running game, Seattle must: Win some of the 1-on-1 battles outside in the pass game when they are in 8-man fronts. Pittsburgh wants to run the football, but if Seattle sits in 8-man fronts and forces the throw outside they will frustrate the Steelers.
??????????
FOR THE STEELERS
Pittsburgh will be able to move the ball on offense because: Ben [Roethlisberger] is in a groove; he makes good decisions with the football and manages a game very well.
??????????
Pittsburgh could struggle on offense because: Seattle has a very underrated defense. This is no young group. They have been around and played together. They know what they are doing. They are very opportunistic and play with passion. John Marshall has done a great job stepping in for Ray Rhodes and running that defense. He keeps it simple, keeps it sound, and gets the guys playing hard.
??????????
To slow down Seattle's passing game, Pittsburgh must: Stop the run and tackle the quick route to get Seattle into predictable pass situations. Seattle has a very good offensive line and a nice play-action game so it won't be easy to get to Matt Hasselbeck.
??????????
To slow down Seattle's running game, Pittsburgh must: Involve their safeties as the 8th player in the box and hope they can hold up in single coverage outside.
??????????
This game will be close or one-sided because: You never know in the Super Bowl how it will play out; it is the most unpredictable game of the season.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/04/06 Falcons coach Jim Mora watched his team fall 21 points behind before scoring 18 unanswered points in a three-point loss to Seattle in the second game of the season. Mora's 8-8 squad didn't face Pittsburgh this season, but will play host to it in the Georgia Dome next season.
With the Seahawks and Steelers facing off in the Super Bowl this evening, Mora gave the AJC his analysis of how the game could play out.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=175 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- BEGIN Clickability "Most Popular" links -->
MOST POPULAR STORIES- Doctor: King 'was going down fast'
- Mexican clinic where King died shut down
- Locklear Files for Divorce From Sambora
- Coretta King will lie in honor at Capitol
- Pippen's son plays in famous shadow
<!-- END Clickability "Most Popular" links --></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=170 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=170 bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width=168 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=148>
[FONT=arial, helvetica]EMAIL THIS[/FONT][FONT=arial, helvetica]PRINT THIS[/FONT][FONT=arial, helvetica]MOST POPULAR[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width=5>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext-->??????????
FOR THE SEAHAWKS
Seattle will be able to move the ball on offense because: They have had two weeks to prepare for the unfamiliar 3-4 defense. Typically, West Coast-style run games have had success against a 3-4 defense and with a back like Shaun Alexander running the ball you have a good combination. Seattle has one of, if not the best, offensive lines in football and they are very well coached, so I don't see them having the protection problems that Indianapolis had in the divisional game vs. Pittsburgh. Mike Holmgren will do a great job mixing the quick 3-step passing game in with the run and some maximum protection shots down the field to counter Pittsburgh's pressure package.
??????????
Seattle could struggle on offense because: If they struggle running the football and allow Pittsburgh to get them in 3rd-and-long it will be very tough to convert. You're playing into Pittsburgh's strength - pinning their ears back and attacking the QB.
??????????
To slow down Pittsburgh's passing game, Seattle must: Stop the run early. I know that sounds backward but they can't let Pittsburgh have it both ways early in the game. If you spend the entire day committing eight defenders to the box any QB/WR combination can hurt you, and Pittsburgh is not just any QB/WR combination; they are on fire.
??????????
To slow down Pittsburgh's running game, Seattle must: Win some of the 1-on-1 battles outside in the pass game when they are in 8-man fronts. Pittsburgh wants to run the football, but if Seattle sits in 8-man fronts and forces the throw outside they will frustrate the Steelers.
??????????
FOR THE STEELERS
Pittsburgh will be able to move the ball on offense because: Ben [Roethlisberger] is in a groove; he makes good decisions with the football and manages a game very well.
??????????
Pittsburgh could struggle on offense because: Seattle has a very underrated defense. This is no young group. They have been around and played together. They know what they are doing. They are very opportunistic and play with passion. John Marshall has done a great job stepping in for Ray Rhodes and running that defense. He keeps it simple, keeps it sound, and gets the guys playing hard.
??????????
To slow down Seattle's passing game, Pittsburgh must: Stop the run and tackle the quick route to get Seattle into predictable pass situations. Seattle has a very good offensive line and a nice play-action game so it won't be easy to get to Matt Hasselbeck.
??????????
To slow down Seattle's running game, Pittsburgh must: Involve their safeties as the 8th player in the box and hope they can hold up in single coverage outside.
??????????
This game will be close or one-sided because: You never know in the Super Bowl how it will play out; it is the most unpredictable game of the season.
