derekshank Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 The Steelers style of playing requires the least from the QB position of any team in the NFL. They play good defense, get out to a lead, and then run, run, run. This was what the experts had always claimed made the Steelers better than Cincy.That changed today. This was the first time in Palmer's career that he threw fewer than 20 passes. The exception is obviously last years KC game, where he played only the first drive... but in every other game in his career, he has been forced to win the game with his arm.Today, we held KC to 3 points for the vast majority of the game, got out to a lead with one really good drive, and then it was clock control. We ran 34 times to only 19 passes. I don't have to read threads complaining about Brat's gameplan. We finally have a defense that Brat felt he could trust, so we just ran the clock.It was very Steelers like. The real difference is that now we can do that... but we can also win a shoot-out. We're getting better and better. It seems we can win games multiple ways, so everyone better watch out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the run blocking late in the game. It was nice to be able to run the clock with Rudi, but he was struggling to get 3 yards every time he touched the ball in the 4th quarter. We need to be able to convert those first downs better during crunch time to close these games out with a little more "oomph." I want a solid 4 yards a carry, and we weren't quite there today. I think we were a bit rusty though, and will be back in the shape to do that pretty soon. Who better to face for a tune-up than the Brownies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Rudis not a faster starter he'll get better as he gets more touchs same as last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the run blocking late in the game. It was nice to be able to run the clock with Rudi, but he was struggling to get 3 yards every time he touched the ball in the 4th quarter. We need to be able to convert those first downs better during crunch time to close these games out with a little more "oomph." I want a solid 4 yards a carry, and we weren't quite there today. I think we were a bit rusty though, and will be back in the shape to do that pretty soon. Who better to face for a tune-up than the Brownies? Yeah... I'll agree, but the Chiefs did have a decent run defense last year (ranked 7th), and it's hard to get 4 yards every carry when they know you are going to be running up the middle every single play.Even the best running teams don't get 5 yards a carry when everyone knows its coming... but there's still room for improvement. For my part, I know we've had prettier looking wins... but this victory came with defense and the running game, and against KC where offense and run defense are their strengths, that feels pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jditty47 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 it rained today, thats why we threw less than 20 passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Well that and played solid D with alot of running...Only other times bengals really diden't throw alot last year vs bears (diden't need to and vs browns with high winds) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronburr Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 it rained today, thats why we threw less than 20 passes.Yes, but the point is that we won in spite of that. I doubt that Brat would ever eliminate the vertical game on purpose, but it's good to know we can get by if the situation should arise again. And once Chris Perry is healthy, we'd be that much better off.Things look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
membengal Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 outstanding points derek, they echo what I said in a few other threads. The rain is precisely the point, in the past, the Bengals specialized in losing games like this one. They were unable to stand toe to toe with the other team in the trenches and make them blink. This time, the Chiefs blinked. The better line play, on both sides of the ball, in wet and nasty conditions, was on the Cincy side. It cannot be stated enough. This was a monumental win simply because it was "Steelers/Ravens-like". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Yeah... I don't want to read too much into it... because it is only one game. But I liked that we could go on the road to one of the toughest places to play in the NFL, play in bad weather against a team that makes its living in the trenches, and just dominate them. It wasn't even as close as the score indicates... and Palmer didn't have to do much. I don't think I could be much more pleased with the performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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