B_Smack, your thoughts?

[Rushville]

Should be a hell of a game this coming Monday.

Things that bode well for Indy...

-It's in the dome.
-They get an extra day's rest after a hard faught game in Cincy.
-No major Colts injuries


Questions about Pittburgh...

-Will Roethlisberger play? / How rusty or immobile will he be?
-If not Ben, Randle El maybe?
-Are all the running backs healthy?
-Will Bill Cower blitz Peyton all night?

Regardless of the answers to those, I'd say...

Steelers - 21
Colts - 28

[PSUFAN]

The Steelers are not the same team with Maddox in the game. Big Ben is slated to start the game, although I expect some rust. A reduced Big Ben is far and away better than Maddox.

El might get a few more direct snaps, but for whatever reason, he's not going to ever line up and play QB for consecutive downs.

I'm not sure whether Staley is healthy enough to play; Parker, Bettis and Hayes are a certainty.

While LeBeau might indeed blitz a lot, I don't expect it to be effective. The Steelers are having trouble pressuring the QB. Peyton will be able to hit receivers.

The Steelers stand a chance in this if they can somehow get their offense off the mat, and run clock. I still remain unconvinced that the Colt defense is for real.

PGH: 10
Indy: 28

[BBMarley]

I think this one goes to Indy as well- but it going to be a close game. Ben will be back- but with 3 weeks of rust- it will take him at least a quarter to get moving. I expect to see some run blitzing and Dungy throwing some blitz packages in to pressure Ben. They weren't getting anything in the way of pressure against Cinnci- so they will definitely be working on that this week- bringing some blitzes form the outside...

I think Peyton is going to have carry the team this week. Pitt is only averaging 84 yards a game allowed in the rushing game. They'll run him alot early- then start with the play action. Pitts 18th ranked passing D will have a long night trying to cover Harrison, Wayne, Stokely, Clark, Fletcher and James in the flats.

Indy- 27
Pitt- 20

[BSmack]

Questions about Pittburgh...

-Will Roethlisberger play? / How rusty or immobile will he be?
-If not Ben, Randle El maybe?
-Are all the running backs healthy?
-Will Bill Cower blitz Peyton all night?

Regardless of the answers to those, I'd say...

Steelers - 21
Colts - 28

1. Ben will play. He's rusty, but he's better than Maddox under just about any circumstances. Look for one or two big mistakes as he shakes off the rust. If the Colts can capitalize on those mistakes, it will be a long night for the black and gold. Otherwise, they have a chance.

2. Randle El will take the odd direct snap. I could even envision where he becomes a semi regular presence playing a slash role the way Stewart could have had he not been deluded into thinking he could play QB every down. But he will always be primarily a reciever and return man.

3. They should all be ready to go. Staley may be a healthy scratch because of special teams concerns. Parker will start and Bettis will get some touches and Haynes will be the 3rd and long specialist. In other words, nothing new here.

4. You will see intermittent blitzing. I would guess a 50-50 base to blitz package. The Steelers match up well against James in much the same way they matched up on Tomlinson. I am hoping LeBeau is studying the Pats-Colts game film. From last year that is.

Honestly, I have no idea how this game is going to play out. My keys for the game are wether or not Parker can dominate the game. If he can, the Steelers win. If the Steelers can't get it going early with Parker, then the game falls on Ben and Bettis. And that is not something I am very hopeful about at this time. If Ben had another week to prep...

[DallasFanatic]

This game isn't even close. The tripletts go off and Cowher knocks a ref out with his chin.

Colts 37
Steelers 13

[DMike316]

Two things that "appear" to be in Pittsburgh's favor are their Monday
Night record and how they don't lose back to back games very often (S'up Cardinals?).

Ben will go, but I'd also expect him to be be sluggish at first. Pittsburgh will test the beef of the Colts D even if the Colts have 11 men in the box on evey single play. As the game goes on though, I think we'll see Ben take his shots downfield. Anytime he scrambles out of the pocket he can make a big play downfield.

Farrior may be back on D which is a big plus for Pittsburgh. I don't think we'll see Pittsburgh blitz as much as some people think. Look for them to give Manning the underneath stuff trying to avoid giving up the big play then trying to hold the Colts in the red zone.

Based on what I've seen from these teams so far, I really don't see Pittsburgh pulling this one out but perhaps making a late run to make things exciting.

As far as guesses?
Indy 24
Pitt 17

[Raydah James]

The Colts are a fucking buzzsaw.


Colts-38
Steelers-21

[BBMarley]

Two things that "appear" to be in Pittsburgh's favor are their Monday Night record and how they don't lose back to back games very often (S'up Cardinals?).

That and the Steelers are a much more physical team. Forget about Big Ben and focus on a sledgehammer running attack. I would suit up every running back on the roster and keep pounding all night.

That tiny 'D' the Colts are sporting this year will look like flattened dogshit by the fourth quarter if they can stick with it.

I think you'll see more Morris in the middle than Brackett to to help that. He gives you about another 20 pounds in the middle over Brackett to help compensate. That plus the bulk of the interior line- Simon listed at 293- has to be 300+, same for Reagor (listed at 285- easily 290's, 300) will help some. But it is my main concern for Monday night. I think putting Morris in when Bettis is on the field is going to help. Parker getting to the outside doesn't scare me as much as that pound up the middle style Bettis plays b/c the outside LB's and corners/safeties are quick enough to get there and hit him.

But, in order for this to work- Pitt's D is going to need to shut down the Indy O. If they get behind early- they can't play this grind it out ground game.

[Rushville]

I think you'll see more Morris in the middle than Brackett to to help that. He gives you about another 20 pounds in the middle over Brackett to help compensate. That plus the bulk of the interior line- Simon listed at 293- has to be 300+, same for Reagor (listed at 285- easily 290's, 300) will help some. But it is my main concern for Monday night. I think putting Morris in when Bettis is on the field is going to help.

I believe Morris is listed as "out" for this game. Not to mention he hasn't played more than a handful of plays at linebacker this year. He's actually become a star on the kick coverage team. But he's caught some sort of virus that has hurt his equilibrium and the team doctor has held him out of the Cincy game and this one because of it.

Yeah, Simon at 297 is some sort of scale error. Triplett is also getting quite a bit better at run stopping. But Sanders and Doss will definitely have to step it up on their tackling.

[BBMarley]

I think you'll see more Morris in the middle than Brackett to to help that. He gives you about another 20 pounds in the middle over Brackett to help compensate. That plus the bulk of the interior line- Simon listed at 293- has to be 300+, same for Reagor (listed at 285- easily 290's, 300) will help some. But it is my main concern for Monday night. I think putting Morris in when Bettis is on the field is going to help.

I believe Morris is listed as "out" for this game. Not to mention he hasn't played more than a handful of plays at linebacker this year. He's actually become a star on the kick coverage team. But he's caught some sort of virus that has hurt his equilibrium and the team doctor has held him out of the Cincy game and this one because of it.

Yeah, Simon at 297 is some sort of scale error. Triplett is also getting quite a bit better at run stopping. But Sanders and Doss will definitely have to step it up on their tackling.

I didn't realize he was out. I knw he's more sepcial teams- but that extra 20+ lbs in the middle would help a little- oh well- The Michelin Man (Simon) & co will just have to step it up some.