Steelers vs. Giants game thread (Preseason Week 1)

Giants drive: Line continues to push us back on running plays. Nice spin move by the near side DE/LB to try to get pressure (I missed the number, maybe 54?). Again good pressure by number 54 off the edge. He is about a step away from getting to the QB (maybe if the CBs didn't play so soft. GREAT closing speed by #29 on that play. Stopped a potential big gain. You see the difference there on 2nd and 13 where the 1 yard pass turned into a big gain because the CB couldn't close the gap (#39). #25 was bailed out there on the non-call: you have to get your head around on that as if the ball was thrown any closer to the WR, it would have been a PI.

Steelers drive: Starting at the 5. First play is a lame run (who would have thought). I'd like to see a nice play action here, maybe take a shot at Bryant deep. Good pass and catch to Moye. I think the throw was a bit behind him but that's where it needed to be for it to be a completion. The pass on 3rd down could have been completed for a 3rd down but there was too much pressure. BR7 would be able to shed those arm tackles and make the play down field. Wing sure doesn't kick the ball deep but he must put some gusto on it to make the guy fumble. DRIVE CONTINUES.

Steelers continued drive after the muffed punt. Pocket breaks down yet again and Jones has to step up causing a rushed and inaccurate pass. Has a bit more time this time but the pressure comes right up the middle and into his face, causing him to back pedal resulting in a glorified throw away. Poor Jones doesn't even get time to breathe. He actually does a nice job when he has time to set and scan as he completed another pass to Moye. Some would complain that it was low but again, I think he needed to throw it there for it to be a completion. Jones did a great job there to do a Pittsburgh shuffle to get out of harms way and set his feet to complete the pass. A disappointing drive given the field position but the holding call and defensive pressure hurt. Suisham sinks the field goal.

Giants drive: Another easy run for the Giants. We did a nice job of holding the line there but we left a singular hole and the RB did a nice job to cut back and find it. On the play action, 55 did a nice job to contain the end. He was also in a tough position of whether to stay back in coverage or pursue the QB and he did a nice job of making the choice tough for the QB. GREAT pressure on 3rd down. A stunt ran by number 71 got him right in the QB's face to force the incompletion. Punt muffed but Bryant is able to recover. Starting to question Bryant's hands right about now...

Steelers drive: Landry audibles at the line, run left and the LB for the Giants did a nice job to fill a hole that almost allowed for a big pick up for the Steelers. HB Screen which resulted in a loss of yards. Funny how when you'd want the pressure to come through, it doesn't. Steelers punt.

Giants drive: Some improved play on the DL to penetrate on the run but the RB is able to bounce outside for a few. Too much time in the pocket on 2nd and the QB is able to use his feet to check down (even though the throw was for a loss). 3rd down run that looked like it was gonna be huge but #45 Molls was able to close quickly and make the great open field tackle. Bryant fields this one cleanly but he must have some ice stuck to the bottom of his right sneaker as he slips and falls.

Steelers drive: Landry sets and throws high. Very dangerous exposing the WRs ribs near the middle of the field. Gotta get that throw down. Good throw the RB in the flat: right on the numbers and he's able to turn it up the field for a first down. We head to the 4th in a real nail biter.    

1st play of the 4th quarter and we're able to see what Jones is made of. Plenty of time, sets, and launches one DEEEP to Bryant. Under thrown but they get the penalty. Bryant can FLY! If he keeps getting this penalties, that's just as good as making the catch. Landry has time to set again, delivers a well thrown ball but behind the RB and almost hung him out to dry like a load of Sunday laundry. He LOVES those throws into the flats. A nice job on 2nd down to check down and complete a nice pass to the middle of the field. Another great job by the OL to give him time on 3rd, the pass to Moye was a little high and a little behind. I like the idea there of trying to go top shelf with Moye. He definitely has the height to make a grab like that. Suisham is money again.

Giants drive: I must say I'm impressed with the kick coverage in the "game". Doing a nice job to keep the damage minimal. Play action was well defended and #39 Green made a nice play. Green was exploited earlier in the game on a few back to back throws as he was playing off. Improved DL play there on the run to limit them to 2 yards. Wow, on 3rd down a pass 4 yards behind the LOS turned into a huge gain and first down. That was a bit unacceptable. The Steelers D comes right back with a stuff on the run. On 2nd and 9, #39 Green is exploited again as he was about 5 to 7 yards off the receiver when the ball was thrown. Another run stuffed by #67 (I know his name starts with WH but his hair covered the rest). Incompletion on the play was due to the WR dropping the wide open pass. I noticed that number 39 played up close to the line of scrimmage on the play and tried to jump a slant route that the WR was not running. This would be dangerous if he was running a fly or deep route. The next play was VERY wild, #49 rushed in, batted the ball down and they call it a backwards pass so TD for the Steelers. What a great play by Jones! Ruling is a TD. Wow, impressive.

Giants drive: #67 again getting penetration on the run and forcing the RB back inside. Another easy run on 2nd down for the Giants. Pressure from the outside looked good but the middle got blown off the ball. Hand off on 1st down and was absolutely stuffed. Didn't see which LB stepped up to fill the hole but it was a nice play. #56 timed the blitz well on 2nd down but they throw it to #39 Green's side and surprise surprise a completion due to him playing way off. Another pass on 1st down and guess who they are throwing it at? #39. They are exploiting him on the QB's back side. Ouch. Throw on 2nd and short and AGAIN they throw a slant to Green's side and it's a completion and a first down. Green is visibly stressed (cue "Why Is Everybody Always Pickin' On Me?). Next play is a throw to the other side! Same result of a catch. Watched Green on this play and he did a nice job of playing up close to the line and staying with the receiver on the deep route. Painter checked down and hit the short man after having ample time. This time, Painter throws one out into the flats for a huge gain. Painter is doing a nice job of orchestrating this drive. Good job to stuff the run with the jumbo package in on 1st down, may have even cause them to lose a yard. Nice job by #35 to force the run back inside on 2nd down and the defense is able to stop them. 3rd down is a passing touchdown. Bet you can't guess who they threw it at. Yep, Green. Oye vey.

Steelers drive: Full spread on first down, nice pass and catch to Moye (I think these 2 like each other). 2nd down: pass and catch to Moye (very nice pass, right on the money). Blitz picked up nicely, deep ball to Bryant and I guess he can be overthrown. Jones has a nice pocket on 2nd down, delivers a nice ball (where only Moye could catch it) and it goes through Moye's hands. Moye probably should have had that one. 3rd down equals the pocket turning into a circle which closed in on him quickly (I hope Jones isn't claustrophobic). Fumble, recovered, penalty, Steelers first down. Jones does a nice job to set up there after having to step up and deliver a ball for positive yards. Pressure again, steps up nicely, delivers a nice ball that is dropped. Jones sets up, steps up in the pocket, delivers a nice ball to Bryant and it is dropped (again questioning the hands of Bryant). Plenty of pocket on 4th down, steps up nicely, delivers a strike to Bryant which he catches! but then he fumbles it and the Giants recover. Game over. Good try by Bryant to make a play but sometimes that will cost you.

Giants drive: Good stop on the run after a gain of a yard. Gotta love that they aren't just rolling over. Another good job of closing down the run on 2nd down. Where was this earlier? (I know that the play calls weren't as predictable earlier). The RB is able to break the first tackle for a first down and that ends the game.