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Dec 31, 2007 5:48 pm US/Eastern
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Pittsburgh Steelers Struggling To Defend The Run?
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into Saturday night's playoff game without much momentum.
On Sunday, they struggled with many starters on the sidelines and dropped the regular season finale to the Baltimore Ravens, 27-21.
The conventional thinking concerning the game was that it didn't mean anything, but it really did if you consider the one big problem the Steelers have been having stopping the run, or in their case, not stopping the run.
For the fourth straight game, during which the Steelers are 1-3, they gave up over 370 yards and yesterday, that first team defense gave it up to what is an anemic Baltimore offense which was led by a rookie QB and a second and third string running back.
This remains a concern because it was Jacksonville that really started this trend by using both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones to rush for over 200 yards in that 29-22 win.
Jacksonville will use the same formula, but this time, the Steelers say they will be ready for them.
The Steelers will have plenty of incentive this Saturday night on two levels - No. 1, they felt embarrassed after Jacksonville tore up their run defense a few weeks ago and No. 2, the Steelers are a rare home underdog despite winning their division. Jacksonville is a one-point favorite.
Players say that's more than enough to stoke their fires.
If the Steelers can win that game, they would advance to the second round and in all probability, a game with the New England Patriots.
Unless Tennessee would upset San Diego, the Steelers would instead head to Indianapolis. In either case, that game would be live on KDKA.
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