Game 14 : Steelers @ 49ers : 12.19.11 : Game Thread!

[Kipper]

[Kipper]

Tomlin on the 49ers

Posted Dec 18, 2011


Coach Mike Tomlin takes a look at this week’s opponent – the San Francisco 49ers.

Q. Why is San Francisco 10-3?
A. They play above average offense and they control the football. They possess the ball for an average of 32 minutes a game, but what’s really special is what they’re doing defensively. They’re No. 1 in the league against the run, they’re No. 1 in the league in red zone defense, they’re No. 1 in the league in turnover ratio. They’re doing an outstanding job in situational football. Their average drive start for the season is the 35-yard line. When you’re playing that kind of football, you have a chance to be 10-3. They’re doing a great job of protecting the football, a great job of getting it, and they’re smashing the run.

Q. Who is the best player along their defensive line?
A. The strength is in the group. All of those men have had their moments, and they’re capable of dominating. They play well collectively.

Q. Their inside linebackers – Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman – what makes them special?
A. Patrick Willis gets a lot of attention and rightfully so, because he’s arguably one of the best in the world, but what’s going on with Bowman is equally impressive. This is a guy who is one of the top tacklers in the league and has been very consistent for a young guy.

Q. Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson each have five interceptions. Is that a result of the play the 49ers have been getting from the front seven?
A. The front seven has been creating opportunities for them, and to the guys’ credit on the back end they’re doing a nice job of keeping the ball in front of them, they don’t give up big plays and they catch the ball when it hits them in the face. That’s part of being a good defense.

Q. Has Alex Smith matured as their starting quarterback?
A. I believe that, but I believe he has been capable of that for some time. What he has now is a stable, consistent culture and some guys around him who are rightly motivated, and his talents and strengths are showing through.

Q. How has Frank Gore become what he is statistically, which is the fourth-most productive running back in the league?
A. Frank is a 1,000-yard rusher for the fifth straight year, and he just passed Roger Craig as the most productive running back in 49ers history. This guy is a really good football player and has been for some time. He is a well-kept secret because they hadn’t won a lot of games out there. The fact they’re 10-3 makes him one of the top backs in conversations now, but really in league circles he probably has been for a number of years.

Q. When Smith throws the ball, does it seem like he goes to WR Michael Crabtree between the 20-yard lines and to TE Vernon Davis in the red zone?
A. A lot of the balls are centered around those two guys. They have a bunch of quality depth when you’re talking about former first-round picks Braylon Edwards and Ted Ginn, but when they really cut to the chase, they look toward Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.

Q. James Harrison was given a one-game suspension by the league, and his subsequent appeal was denied. Is that what you feared?
A. That’s what we anticipated, but I wouldn’t use the word “feared.” It’s our job to deal with adversity. We embrace that, whether it’s injuries, suspensions or otherwise. More than anything, we just wanted the information as quickly as we could get it so we could make the necessary adjustments in preparation for the game against the 49ers.

Q. Has James Harrison become the poster child for on-field behavior in this league?
A. I’m sure from the perspective of some, but those are the people who don’t know him and are not around him on a day-to-day basis. James Harrison is a guy with great football character, a guy who works extremely hard at what he does and plays within the rules.

Q. Do you have to caution your team about scoreboard-watching at this time of the year?
A. Not really. We’ve said, and we’ve said for some time now that if we win we don’t have to look around. So we focus on those things. Thankfully we’re in a solid enough position where we can have that approach. If we win, we don’t have to look around to see what’s happening with the Joneses, and we don’t.

Q. Is this a time of the NFL season when defenses start to have more impact on the outcomes of games than the offenses?
A. I think it’s that time of the year, particularly for the right-minded defenses. Not only in terms of what our defense was able to do against the Browns, but if you look back to the games against Cincinnati and Kansas City, we’ve been doing a pretty good job of late of holding people to single-digit point totals, we’ve been getting turnovers. And all of those things are much needed as we push through December.

Q. What are the keys for the Steelers on Monday night against the 49ers?
A. We can’t play their football game. We have to take care of the football and create some of our own (turnovers) to get them out of their comfort zone. We have to possess the ball. They’re third in the league in time of possession, but we’re No. 2. Whoever gets outside their comfort zone first is probably going to be the team that’s going to be the most uncomfortable on Monday night. And it better not be us.

[Kipper]

Roethlisberger will start against 49ers
Monday, December 19, 2011
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SAN FRANCISCO -- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to start tonight against the San Francisco 49ers -- and the decision had nothing to with the Baltimore Ravens' loss Sunday night in San Diego that put the Steelers back in control of the AFC North Division.

The Steelers reached the decision to start Roethlisberger before the Ravens' 34-14 loss to the Chargers. That means the Steelers win the division title and get a first-round playoff bye if they win their remaining three games.
Roethlisberger has a Grade I ankle sprain and didn't practice until Saturday, and even then on a limited basis. But he moved around well enough to convince the coaches and medical staff he is able to play.

The Steelers had already clinched a playoff spot Sunday when the Tennessee Titans lost to the Indianapolis Colts.


Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com; twitter: @gerrydulac.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11353/1197954-66.stm#ixzz1h0km73QX

[Kipper]

Steelers coach Tomlin's mantra will be tested in San Francisco
Monday, December 19, 2011
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SAN FRANCISCO -- This is not the same as it was in 1972, when the Steelers franchise that had been an NFL punching bag grew up in a hurry one afternoon in the Houston Astrodome and established a historical template that has been impressively followed by its playing descendants for decades.

This is not similar to the time in 1984 when the Steelers, facing Joe Montana and the mighty San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick Park, overcame a battery of injuries to hand the 49ers their only loss in a season in which they won their second Super Bowl -- a victory so emotionally palpable that Chuck Noll, their four-time Super Bowl-winning coach, proclaimed he had never been more proud of his football team.

Nor is this like it was in 1989 when the Steelers, after losing their first two games by a combined 92-10, went to Houston for a wild-card playoff game with one of the worst offenses in the league and their best player so sick from the flu he almost didn't make the trip. With the odds so stacked against them, they managed a victory that was so improbable the Oilers fired their coach, Jerry Glanville.

No, this is much worse.

Riding a four-game winning streak and with eight victories in their past nine games, the Steelers (10-3) go into Candlestick Park at 8:30 p.m. today against a 10-win 49ers team with a defense that allows points (a league-low 182) almost as grudgingly as it allows rushing touchdowns (0). And they will do so with a lineup devoid of many of its top players, including suspended linebacker James Harrison, Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and with a hobbled quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger is expected to play. On top of that, sack-leader LaMarr Woodley will try to play again after missing all but two series of the past five games with a hamstring injury.
"I don't think I can ever recall a game like this," said veteran receiver Hines Ward, who been around since 1998.
"Not like this one with a lot of guys banged up at key positions," said linebacker Larry Foote, who has played nine of his 10 seasons with the Steelers.

Though Roethlisberger, who has a Grade I high-ankle sprain, is expected to start, his mobility will be severely restricted, putting him in the crosshairs of a defense that is second in the league with 31 takeaways.
"It's going to be a true test of the type of team we are, the type of determination we have," Foote said.
Stepping up

With three games remaining, the Steelers cannot afford a loss if they want to maintain the one-game lead they hold after Baltimore's loss last night in San Diego. Of their remaining opponents, the 49ers are their only legitimate obstacle.

While it is unlikely they have never entered a big game minus so many of their top players, the Steelers have not blinked or flinched all week at the task in front of them. Not once.

"We're a pretty resilient bunch," said defensive captain James Farrior.

Indeed, the Steelers will likely face the 49ers with Doug Legursky at center and Jason Worilds at right outside linebacker, and if that's the way it unfolds they will never consider the possibility they are playing short-handed against one of the best teams in the NFC.

They wear coach Mike Tomlin's mantra that "the standard is the standard" as though it is a badge of honor, and they embrace the principle and belief behind it with the same fervent passion of a religious doctrine.
"I think we do a better job than most of not crying about it and just accepting it and going out there and playing," nose tackle Casey Hampton said. "It's the coach; he doesn't let us feel sorry for ourselves. He preaches the standard is the standard, and you believe that when you go in."

"We can't be sulking about that and thinking about who we don't have," Farrior said. "Nobody cares about our problems. They're glad we got 'em."

Like other teams, the Steelers have had their share of injuries, not to mention suspensions. Last year, they played the first four games of the season without Roethlisberger, who was serving a suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. This year, they lost right tackle Willie Colon and defensive end Aaron Smith to season-ending injuries; played four games without Harrison because of his fractured orbital socket; and have endured nearly all of the past five games without Woodley.

Yet the Steelers went 3-1 when Roethlisberger was suspended, 4-0 without Harrison and are 4-1 without Woodley.

Now, though, they are facing maybe their biggest game of the season without nearly all those players ... and Pouncey.

"Regardless of the situation, we've still got to go out there and play the ballgame," Ward said. "The guys who are playing have a great opportunity to go out there and play. We're never going to make excuses for anybody being injured. This game isn't predicated on one person. Yes, you can't win games without your core guys, but, at the same time, it's a way of all the guys rallying around each other to offset some of the guys we don't have."
It has been this way with the Steelers for a long time, going back all the way to the year the franchise made it to the playoffs for the first time after 40 years of frustration.

Here is a look at some significant moments in their history where the Steelers had to overcome monumental odds, much like they will against the 49ers:

Dec. 10, 1972

The Steelers were in a battle for the division title and a spot in the playoffs, something they had never accomplished before, when they went to Houston to play the 1-11 Oilers.

They were without defensive end L.C. Greenwood and guard Sam Davis. Tackles Jon Kolb and Gerry Mullins were weakened by the flu -- Mullins only made it into the third quarter.

Along the way, they lost two more offensive linemen -- guard Bruce Van Dyke pulled a calf muscle and center Jim Clack injured an ankle -- and quarterback Terry Bradshaw (dislocated finger). Wide receiver Ron Shanklin went out with an injury, too, forcing tight end Larry Brown, a future offensive tackle, to play flanker. Craig Hanneman, Greenwood's backup, aggravated a knee injury and didn't return.

It was the game when a star grew into a legend.

Defensive tackle Joe Greene had five sacks, blocked a field-goal attempt, recovered a fumble and forced another. Those takeaways led to two Roy Gerela field goals in a 9-3 Steelers victory. Afterward, the usually placid Noll had tears in his eyes, calling it the single greatest performance he had ever witnessed.

Oct. 14, 1984

The Steelers were five years removed from their fourth Super Bowl victory and only a handful of Super Bowl veterans remained for a game in San Francisco against the unbeaten 49ers (6-0).

Most of the future Hall of Famers had been replaced by players such as Frank Pollard, Walter Abercrombie, Keith Willis, Keith Gary, David Little and Bryan Hinkle. The quarterback was Mark Malone, who was making his first start for injured David Woodley (concussion).

During the game, the Steelers lost guard Terry Long and tight end Chris Kolodziejski to injuries, forcing tackle Tunch Ilkin to play tight end. Linebacker Jack Lambert started, but took himself out of the game with the toe injury that would end his career.

Despite a vastly inferior roster, the Steelers rallied from a 17-10 deficit to hand the 49ers a 20-17 defeat, thanks to a field goal by Gary Anderson with 1:42 remaining and a last-second 37-yard miss by the 49ers' Ray Wersching. It was the only loss by the 49ers in a season in which they won Super Bowl XIX.

Dec. 31, 1989

Despite losing their first two games of the season by scores of 51-0 and 41-0, the Steelers rebounded to be a wild-card team and opened the postseason on the road against the Oilers, who had beaten them twice during the regular season.

The Steelers had one of the worst offenses in the league and had been shut out three times during the regular season. In addition, their best player, cornerback Rod Woodson, was so sick with the flu that the team doctors didn't want him to make the trip to the game.

But team president Dan Rooney intervened, and Woodson not only played, he was the hero.
After running back Merril Hoge scored on a 2-yard run with less than a minute remaining to force overtime, the Oilers had the ball near midfield when Woodson crashed into running back Lorenzo White, forcing a fumble.
Woodson recovered and several plays later Anderson kicked a 50-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 26-23 overtime victory. The Oilers fired Glanville after that bitter defeat.

Nov. 5, 1995

The Steelers were 4-4 when they played the Bears (6-2) at Solider Field in Chicago, a place where they had never won in franchise history.

Two weeks earlier, after a slide in which they lost three of four games, the Steelers had moved Pro Bowl safety Carnell Lake to cornerback to compensate for the season-ending injury to Woodson in Week 1.
Employing rookie quarterback Kordell Stewart as a wide receiver for the first time in his "Slash" role, the Steelers came back from three seven-point deficits to win in overtime, 37-34, propelling them on a seven-game winning streak that carried them to the Super Bowl.

Oct. 21, 2001

The Steelers were coming off of three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs -- their longest drought under Bill Cowher -- and headed to Tampa to play the Buccaneers, a team with nine Pro Bowl players who many had predicted for the Super Bowl.

But the Steelers had quietly built a 3-1 record with the defense that led the league in all three categories -- total yards, rushing yards and passing yards. And they sacked quarterback Brad Johnson 10 times -- four by Joey Porter -- and held the Buccaneers to 64 yards rushing in a 17-10 victory.

Afterward, safety Lee Flowers ran off the field, calling the Buccaneers "paper champions."

Oct. 17, 2004

In a season fraught with injuries, the Steelers went to Dallas and lost two more of their top players during the game to season-ending knee injuries -- nose tackle Casey Hampton and cornerback Chad Scott.
But Roethlisberger, who had won his first three starts since replacing injured Tommy Maddox, brought the Steelers back from a 20-10 deficit by completing 11 passes in a row, including nine on the final two touchdown drives, for a 24-20 victory against the Cowboys.

Tonight's task

Now, at the site one of their finest achievements, they will try to do it again tonight, perhaps in need of another Greene-like performance. Or perhaps a performance from a player who has to replace one of their ailing stars, upholding the standard.

One of the few times that did not happen was the 1976 AFC championship game in Oakland when the Steelers played without their two 1,000-yard running backs, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, each of whom had been injured a week earlier in Baltimore. Noll tried to change the offense into a one-back set featuring Reggie Harrison -- a mistake, he admitted later -- and the Steelers lost to the Raiders, 24-7.

"The coaches preach that soon as you walk in that door -- if you're in this locker room, we expect you to make plays," Foote said. "And they hold everybody to that standard. They coach you up like you're supposed to know it, even if it's not fair. That's the mindset around here. If you're in this building, we expect you to play at a high level and you ain't going to get patted on the back when you do it, either."

It has been their standard, if not their legacy, for nearly 40 years.

Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com; twitter: @gerrydulac
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11353...#ixzz1h0lZ6eFz

[Palmetto Steel]

Key Matchups

WALLACE & BROWN vs. ROGERS & BROWN:

Perhaps as early as tonight, the Steelers will have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in the same season for just the fourth time in franchise history.

Mike Wallace upped to his total to 1,034 last week with a four-catch, 57-yard performance in a win over the Browns. Antonio Brown, the most productive Steeler in the past seven games, needs 75 against the 49ers to reach the 1,000-yard goal he set for himself in training camp. Brown caught five passes for 151 yards against thr Browns, including a 79-yarder for a touchdown.

A second-year pro who hardly played wide receiver last year, Brown has emerged as a star partly because teams are so determined to stop Wallace, one of the NFL's most feared deep threats. With Wallace often drawing double coverage, Brown has taken advantage of his opportunities. He's averaged 94.7 receiving yards in the past seven games.

This evening, whomever plays quarterback for the Steelers will probably look to Wallace and Brown often as they try to generate points. With the 49ers leading the NFL in rushing defense (70.5 yards per game), running the ball might be tough, especially if gimpy-legged Ben Roethlisberger tries to play as he fights his way through a Grade 1 high ankle sprain.

Although the 49ers have intercepted 18 passes and have sacked opposing QBs 32 times, the Steelers may find success throwing the ball if Wallace and Brown can win their battles with cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown.

Rogers, picked in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Redskins, has been rejuvenated since signing with the 49ers this season. He's tied for fourth in the NFL with five interceptions. Tarell Brown only has one pick but he's a solid corner who finally became a starter in his fifth pro season. And lending help to Rogers and Brown is free safety Dashon Goldson, who also has five interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS vs. SPECIAL TEAMS

One of the reasons the 49ers have been so successful is they consistently win the battle of field position. They lead the NFL in starting field position. On average, the Niners' offense starts a possession at its own 33.4. By comparison, the Steelers' offense starts on average at its own 27.6. Obviously, the 31 takeaways by the San Fran defense is a huge factor in field position. But so, too, is the excellent play of their special teams.

"They got a Pro Bowl kicker, a Pro Bowl punter and in Ted Ginn Jr., they have a return man who's capable of taking it to the house any time he touches the ball," said safety Will Allen, one of the Steelers' best special teams players. "The 49ers have great special teams personnel."

Andy Lee, who punted at Pitt, has been to two Pro Bowls. He's tied for second in the league in punting average (50.7) and he's first in net punting (43.7). By comparison, Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos is 17th with a 45.6 average and 25th in net punting (37.7).

Kicker David Akers, a five-time Pro Bowler, leads the NFL in field goals (36) and points (135). He's also booted 56.0 percent of his 75 kickoffs so deep into the end zone that they couldn't be returned. By comparison, only 39.3 percent of Shaun Suisham's kickoffs have been touchbacks.

Ginn ranks second in the NFL with a 28.1 yard average on kickoffs. He's fourth in the NFL with a 12.3 average on punt returns. He's scored twice this season on returns -- a 102-yarder on a kickoff and a 55-yarder on a punt.

"Ted Ginn Jr. can score any time from any place on the field," Allen said. "He's got world-class speed. Seriously. I've seen him run in high school. I've seen him run at Ohio State. He's just a phenomenal athlete. We have to stay in our lanes and be disciplined against him. You make one breakdown and he'll make you pay for it."

Beside his exploits at wide receiver, Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown has fared well as a return specialist, too. He's fourth in the league in kickoff returns with a 27.5 average and fifth on punt returns at 12.2. Brown has scored on a 60-yard punt return.

[Palmetto Steel]

TONIGHT’S STORYLINE

Two of the NFL’s most storied franchises meet on primetime national TV in a showdown with postseason implications, even though both have already clinched playoff spots. At the least, the Steelers (10-3) will be a wild card. But they have a chance to surpass the Ravens for first place in the AFC North. Baltimore took a 10-3 record into its game Sunday night in San Diego. The 49ers (10-3), winners of the NFC West, want to maintain the No. 2 seed in the conference. If they beat the Steelers, they'll still hold a tiebreaker edge over the Saints (11-3).

STAT SPEAK

11: That’s how many Super Bowls won by the Steelers (six) and 49ers (five). No team has more Lombardi trophies than the Steelers. The Cowboys also have five.

INJURY REPORT

Steelers: The most intriguing issue on the injury front is QB Ben Roethlisberger’s availability. He is listed as questionable with a high ankle sprain. If Roethlisberger can’t play, Charlie Batch will start. C Maurkice Pouncey has the same injury as Roethlisberger and has been ruled out. Also sitting out is WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot) and LB Chris Carter (hamstring). SS Troy Polamalu (hamstring) is probable.

49ers: Star LB Patrick Willis (hamstring) didn’t practice this week but is still questionable. Two other starters are questionable -- T Joe Staley (concussion) and WR Braylon Edwards (knee).

QUOTEWORTHY

“I will tell them Mike Wallace is fast.” Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, on San Fran coach Jim Harbaugh calling his brother, John, who coaches the Ravens, and asking for advice on how to beat the Steelers.

BETTING LINE

The 49ers are favored by 3.

THE PICK

The 49ers may play in the league’s weakest division, but their 10-3 record isn’t a fluke. The NFL leaders in fewest points allowed (14.0 ppg) have road wins over the Bengals (8-6), Eagles (6-8) and Lions (9-5). And they only lost in Baltimore, 16-6. The Steelers are 0-2 vs. the Ravens including a 35-7 opening-day loss in Baltimore. With Roethlisberger questionable, Pouncey out and LB James Harrison serving a one-game suspension, the Steelers will be hard-pressed to win in a hostile environment. The Steelers may be 4-2 away from home, but they struggled to beat the Colts (1-13) and Chiefs (6-8) on the road. 49ers 19, Steelers 17

[Palmetto Steel]

When the 49ers have the ball: The 49ers do a good job protecting the ball -- they have committed only 10 turnovers, fewest in the NFL -- but have scored only 25 offensive TDs, seventh fewest in league. They will be facing a defense that leads the AFC in fewest points (198). The 49ers are most effective when they can lean on RB Frank Gore. But he has been slowed by two ankle injuries and a hyper-extended knee since early November. In the past five games, the 49ers have relied on the pass. That has put an onus on protecting QB Alex Smith, and that hasn't happened. He has been sacked 18 times in the past three games. The flip side: Smith has been smart with the football and has traded sacks (39) for interceptions (5). WR Michael Crabtree leads the team with 55 catches, 668 yards, but TEs Vernon Davis (49, 548) and Delanie Walker (19, 198) are fast and present matchup problems. WR Braylon Edwards (14, 172) was supposed to be the team's go-to wide receiver, but he's been hurt.

When the Steelers have the ball: The 49ers lead the NFL in rush defense, which forces teams to pass -- something the Steelers like to do anyway. Sometimes this has worked to the 49ers benefit. They are second in the league in takeaways (31). CB Carlos Rogers and S Dashon Goldson each have five INTs. But the 49ers also have allowed some QBs -- Tony Romo (432 yards), Michael Vick (416), Eli Manning (311) -- to have big games. Big-play threats Mike Wallace (62 catches, 1,034 yards) and Antonio Brown (55, 925) will pose a problem. Part of the reason is the 49ers rarely blitz and rely on their three down linemen and one of their linebackers to put pressure on the QB. That linebacker is Aldon Smith, who leads all NFL rookies with 101/2 sacks. The 49ers could use more blitz packages against QB Charlie Batch, who is expected to start for Ben Roethlisberger. Still, that is not a typical scheme for this defense. Compounding their dilemma: LB Patrick Willis is not expected to play.

K David Akers ... He ranks first in the league in field goals made (36), and part of the reason is the team's recent inefficiencies in the red zone. Akers is 16 for 16 from inside 30 yards this season. But he also has six field goals of 52 yards or longer and has only one miss from 50 or longer. But it's not just Akers. The 49ers are the only team not to allow a return of any kind for TD this season. Ted Ginn Jr. has a 102-yard kick return and 55-yard punt return for TD this season. And P Andy Lee of Pitt leads the NFC with a 50.7-yard average.

This marks just the fourth time in Monday Night Football history two teams face off with 10 victories and a winning percentage of at least .750. ... The Steelers have won four in a row and eight of their past nine. They have also won their past three road games. Conversely, the 49ers have lost two of their past three games, with both losses coming against teams that pattern their defense after the Steelers -- Baltimore and Arizona. ... The Steelers have won their past six games on Monday night. ... The 49ers lead the series, 10-9, including 5-5 at home. ... The 49ers are 40-25 all time on MNF.

To win, the 49ers must ...

1. Get turnovers in batches. That will be the quickest way to frustrate the Steelers, especially if Roethlisberger isn't the quarterback.

2. Not shun the run. The 49ers have to go back to the ground after attempting 105 passes and running 76 times in the past three games.

3. Not go to bed in the red. The offense has produced only three TDs in 19 trips inside the 20 in the past six games.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1 Let the standard be the standard. With so many injuries to key players and without James Harrison, the players have to believe what Mike Tomlin preaches.

2 Gore Frank. The way to beat the 49ers is stop their leading RB and challenge Smith to beat their No. 1-ranked pass defense.

3 Have a tonic for Ginn. In a game matching the two stingiest defenses in the league, a special-teams play could decide the outcome.

[Palmetto Steel]

49ers DE Justin Smith vs. Steelers G Trai Essex
Monday, December 19, 2011
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It has been an annual rite of winter to find the Steelers among the leaders is rush defense in the NFL. On occasion, they have risen to such lofty standards that their accomplishments ranked among the best in league history.

Just last season, the Steelers set a franchise standard for rush defense, allowing an average of 62.8 yards per game that ranked third best in league history since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule.

And they have been Scrooge-like stingy with 100-yard rushers, as well, allowing just one in 66 games heading into this season.

But even the Steelers have never done what the 49ers are attempting to accomplish -- become the first team in NFL history to not allow a rushing touchdown in a season.

"That's very commendable," said Steelers guard Ramon Foster. "Even playing Baltimore, they didn't allow one. That says something about their defense."

The 49ers lead the NFL in rush defense, allowing an average of 70.5 yards per game. What's more, they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher since Green Bay's Ryan Grant on Nov. 22, 2009 -- a span of 35 games, the longest streak in the league.

The closest anyone has come to topping that mark this season is quarterback Michael Vick, who had 75 yards on eight carries in the 49ers' 24-23 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

"It's easy to see why they're good -- they haven't allowed a rushing touchdown all year," said tight end Heath Miller. "It's easy to look at the paper and see they're a good defense."

The 49ers lead the league in scoring defense (182) -- the Steelers are second with 198 points -- and one of the reasons is because they have not allowed a rushing touchdown.

They play a 3-4 defense, similar to the Steelers and Ravens, and rely on inside linebackers Patrick Willis (115) and NaVorro Bowman (135) to make tackles. Willis didn't play last week in Arizona because of a hamstring strain -- only the second game he's missed in his five-year career. He is not expected to play against the Steelers.

Up front, defensive tackle Justin Smith has 5 1/2 sacks, a large amount for a two-gap lineman in a 3-4 defense. He will line up mostly against left guard Trai Essex, who is expected to start because Doug Legursky will move to center to replace injured Maurkice Pouncey (ankle).

"Their front seven is underrated," said right tackle Marcus Gilbert. "Those guys are pretty good, probably the best in the league. I think this front is better than Baltimore."

Rashard Mendenhall, coming off his best two-game stretch of the season, will be the latest to test the 49ers defense. He has 136 yards on 34 carries in the past two games, but he hasn't had a run longer than 18 yards in the past seven.

Thanks to some good production from Isaac Redman, the Steelers have rushed for 136 and 147 yards in the past two games, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

"This is a challenge because they haven't allowed one [touchdown]," Mendenhall said. "That's impressive. That speaks to the defense. They're No. 1 in a lot of categories, so that shows what they've been able to do."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11353...#ixzz1h0rW5DrO

[Palmetto Steel]

Steelers-49ers Preview
STATS LLC



Ben Roethlisberger has played through injuries before, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback could find himself sidelined for health reasons for the first time since 2009 at an inopportune time.

In a tight AFC playoff race, the Steelers will be without linebacker James Harrison when they visit the postseason-bound San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

Pittsburgh (10-3) has been idle since winning its fourth straight with a 14-3 victory over Cleveland on Dec. 8. The 10-day layoff due to a Thursday night game came at a good time for the Steelers, who hope to get Roethlisberger on the field after he sprained his left ankle against the Browns.

Roethlisberger left in the second quarter but returned in the second half, finishing 16 of 21 for 280 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Veteran Charlie Batch relieved him and threw two incomplete passes.

Roethlisberger declined to talk to reporters Wednesday before walking out of the team's facility with a noticeable limp. Coach Mike Tomlin said the quarterback would be evaluated throughout the week before a decision is made, but that Roethlisberger wouldn't need to participate in a full practice in order to play.

"He can be ready to play on a limited number of snaps," Tomlin said. "We're going to take it day by day. We're always going to be optimistic when it comes to Ben."

Roethlisberger, who played through a broken thumb earlier this season, hasn't missed a start due to injury since a concussion sidelined him against Baltimore in 2009. He sat out the first four games of the 2010 season after violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The Steelers went 3-1 in his absence with Dennis Dixon and Batch splitting the snaps.

"Those guys, they're not Ben," wide receiver Mike Wallace said. "They're great players, but Ben is something really special. So you have to change your game to what they do best."

While Roethlisberger's status isn't certain, that's not the case for Harrison, who got a one-game suspension from the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

Though Harrison hasn't been fined for a hit in more than a year, he was considered a repeat offender under the 2011 League Policies for Players manual, leading to the suspension.

Harrison appealed the decision, but the NFL denied it Friday, citing his history of flagrant hits. This was his fifth on a quarterback.

"We're disappointed for James because we know how hard he's worked to play within the rules," Tomlin said. "We accept the judgment rendered by the league office and we'll move forward."

Harrison has eight sacks despite missing a month with a fractured right orbital bone and dealing with persistent back issues. The Steelers defense has given up 19 total points in the last three games, and Pittsburgh managed to go 4-0 during his earlier absence.

The 49ers (10-3) have clinched the NFC West, but have lost two of three and have some injury concerns of their own as they try to grab a first-round bye for the playoffs.

"You're the hunted now, you're not the hunter as much," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "You have a target on your back. That's raised. Not saying it wasn't like that before, but that expectation, that bar has raised."

After a 26-0 win over St. Louis on Dec. 4, they fell 21-19 at Arizona last Sunday. San Francisco had the ball inside the Cardinals 10-yard three times in the second quarter and came away with only field goals, then proceeded to blow a 12-point lead.

Alex Smith had one of his worst games of the season, completing 18 of 37 passes for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

Red-zone efficiency has been a problem all season for San Francisco, which is converting a league-worst 35.6 percent of its chances into touchdowns and has done so in just three of its last 19 trips.

Running back Frank Gore's struggles down the stretch could be worsening the red-zone difficulties. After averaging 126.8 yards in five straight victories between Oct. 2 and Nov. 6, he hasn't topped 88 yards in the five games since, averaging 54.4. Gore suffered a knee injury in a win over the New York Giants on Nov. 13, and coach Jim Harbaugh says his top rusher is "not 100 percent," without specifying further.

Gore had 72 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown run in the third quarter last Sunday, but had only three carries in the second half.

This is the first meeting between the teams since Pittsburgh's 37-16 home victory in 2007. They last played in San Francisco in 2003, a game won 30-14 by the 49ers.

[Palmetto Steel]

Which team plays the cleanest game? These are two evenly matched teams with similar styles, and both are really tough to beat when they play mistake-free football. Although both teams do a nice job of taking care of the football and not beating themselves, they are surprisingly sloppy in the area of penalties, and the coaches are working to clean that up. Neither defense is tackling as well as it usually does, although the 49ers are actually more impressive in all defensive areas than the usually rock-solid Steelers. These are similar teams, both are well coached and both can make in-game adjustments -- so the team that makes the fewest mistakes likely will win.

- Scouts Inc.

[Palmetto Steel]

2011 Trends (Regular Season)

The Steelers are 6-7 ATS.

The Steelers are 2-4 ATS away.

The Steelers are 1-2 ATS as the underdog.

The Steelers are 0-2 ATS as an away underdog.

The 49ers are 10-2 ATS.

The 49ers are 6-0 ATS at home.

The 49ers are 7-1 ATS as the favorite.

The 49ers are 6-0 ATS as a home favorite.

[Palmetto Steel]

Injuries


Pittsburgh

Player		Status/Updated	Notes
Troy Polamalu	S	Prob Mon - Hamstring - 12/17/11	Polamalu is dealing with an apparent hamstring injury but is expected to play in Monday's game against the 49ers.
LaMarr Woodley	LB	Prob Mon - Hamstring - 12/18/11	Woodley suffered a hamstring injury against the Bengals in Week 13 and has not played since. He is expected to be available for Monday's game against the 49ers.
Ben Roethlisberger	QB	Ques Mon - Ankle - 12/19/11	Roethlisberger has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 high left ankle sprain but was able to practice Friday and Saturday on a limited basis. He remains questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers.
Arnaz Battle	WR	Ques Mon - Hamstring - 12/13/11	Battle has not been able to play since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 9 and remains questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers.
Maurkice Pouncey	C	Doub Mon - Ankle - 12/18/11	Pouncey is suffering from a Grade 1 high left ankle sprain and is expected to miss Monday's game against the 49ers.
Emmanuel Sanders	WR	Doub Mon - Foot - 12/13/11	Sanders is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired foot and did not play against the Browns in Week 14. He is not expected to play in Monday's game against the 49ers and could be held out of games until the playoffs.
Chris Carter	LB	Doub Mon - Hamstring - 12/19/11	Carter has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury and is not expected to be available for Monday's game against the 49ers.
James Harrison	LB	Elig Week 16 - Suspension - 12/13/11	Harrison has been suspended for Monday's game against the 49ers due to his helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 14 on Browns' QB Colt McCoy. He will be eligible to return in Week 16 when they face the Rams.
Jonathan Dwyer	RB	I-R - Foot - 12/8/11	Dwyer has been placed on the injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a foot injury.
Daniel Sepulveda	P	I-R - Knee - 11/6/11	Sepulveda has been placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season as a result.
Chris Hoke	NT	I-R - Neck - 12/6/11	Hoke is required to undergo season-ending neck surgery due to an injury he suffered against the Jaguars in Week 6.

San Francisco

Player		Status/Updated	Notes
Joe Staley	T	Prob Mon - Concussion - 12/19/11	Staley has been dealing with concussion symptoms but was given clearance to play in Monday's game against the Steelers.
Braylon Edwards	WR	Ques Mon - Knee - 12/16/11	Edwards is still dealing with a nagging knee injury and remains questionable to play Monday against the Steelers.
Bruce Miller	FB	Ques Mon - Knee - 12/16/11	Miller was limited in practice Thursday with a knee injury and remains questionable to play Monday against the Steelers.
Patrick Willis	LB	Doub Mon - Hamstring - 12/18/11	Willis has not played since suffering a pulled hamstring in Week 13 against the Rams and is not expected to be available for Monday's game against the Steelers.
Josh Morgan	WR	I-R - Ankle - 10/12/11	Morgan has been placed on the injured reserve after suffering a fractured right ankle in Week 5 against the Buccaneers. He will miss the remainder of the season as a result.
Will Tukuafu	DT	I-R - Undisclosed - 10/3/11	The 49ers placed Tukuafu on injured reserve, ending his season.

[Kipper]

Roethlisberger to start for Steelers tonight

Terry McCormick, The National Football Post1 hour, 9 minutes ago

To virtually no one's surprise, Ben Roethlisberger will make his scheduled start for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the San Francisco 49ers tonight.

Roethlisberger has been limited in practice this week, but benefited from extra rest in that the Steelers have not played since Dec. 8 when he suffered his high ankle sprain against the Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger and the Steelers (10-3) have the opportunity to retake control of the AFC North with a victory, taking advantage of Baltimore's Sunday night loss at San Diego. The Steelers need to finish a full game in front of the Ravens in order to win the division, due to Baltimore's series sweep in the head-to-head matchup this season.



Follow me on Twitter @TitanInsider247 and @terrymc13
Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com

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[Palmetto Steel]

... HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!...

[Palmetto Steel]

And for those that may need a

for whatever reason, here 'ya go:

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/9...-steelers.html