Match-ups to Exploit

[steeler47]

Seattle Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl)

Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) NT Casey Hampton (http://www.kffl.com/player/1510/nfl) vs. Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) C Robbie Tobeck (http://www.kffl.com/player/1671/nfl)

Hampton has played well in the playoffs and his size could force the Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) to give Tobeck some help. Tobeck was recently named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. He's a 13-year veteran who knows all the tricks, but sometimes he struggles against the bigger interior linemen. Seattle's running game could suffer if Tobeck has problems.
Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) CB Deshea Townsend (http://www.kffl.com/player/1504/nfl) vs. Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) WR Darrell Jackson (http://www.kffl.com/player/1725/nfl)

Jackson could find himself matched against any number of corners, and he'll probably have the advantage most of the time. He slipped under the radar this season because injuries limited him to only six games. But it's worth remembering that Jackson ranked among the league leaders in receptions before his injury. He has also come up big in the postseason with 27 catches in his last three playoff games, including 15 in two games this postseason. His quickness and rapport with QB Matt Hasselbeck (http://www.kffl.com/player/1713/nfl) give Seattle a needed weapon in the passing game.
Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) OLB Joey Porter (http://www.kffl.com/player/1520/nfl) vs. Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) OLT Walter Jones (http://www.kffl.com/player/1703/nfl)

No one will debate the fact that the Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) had a good defense all season, but it became great, even special, when right outside linebacker Joey Porter (http://www.kffl.com/player/1520/nfl)'s knee healed late in the season and he started harassing opposing quarterbacks. Porter has three sacks in three postseason games and was a big part of the Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) holding the powerful Indianapolis Colts (http://www.kffl.com/team/19/nfl) offense to three points through three quarters. It's been a long time, however, since Porter met an offensive tackle as protective of his quarterback as the Seahawks' Walter Jones (http://www.kffl.com/player/1703/nfl). Porter's pass rush must be kicked up a notch, or Hasselbeck will get the requisite time to find his strong stable of receivers. There also is the matter of disrupting RB Shaun Alexander (http://www.kffl.com/player/1715/nfl) (141 yards, two touchdowns in the playoffs), who can dominate a game, thanks to the best offensive line in the business. If Porter can't find a way to squeeze into the Seahawks' backfield on run and pass plays, the favored Steelers (http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl) will have a tougher time with the Seahawks (http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl) than many of their fans think they will.

[MagicHawk]

Good unbiased analysis.

[Prosdo]

Nice post Steeler

[blitzburgher]

good job steeler47 ,i heard on the radio someone doing an interview with tobeck and he sounded a little worried about our boy casey!

[Rotorhead]

Actually if you look at the metrics posted by KC Joyner (ESPN) Townsend has had an outstanding year at CB. Summary:
"This is a tremendous showing. If a cornerback's yards per attempt are anything lower than 6, he has had an excellent year, and Townsend's were under 5. Townsend showed no weakness at any depth level. His deep yards per attempt total is so good that it would be a solid showing if it were his total yards per attempt!"
So I like that matchup, he goes on to say that during the post season Ike has really stepped up and is actually the better player of the 2!
We all know Tobek will need help with Hampton. So how will Porter do against Jones? Well I certainly hope the Jones spends all his time tying up Porter, I will take a 1on1 draw with those 2 players, that frees up the others to sack Hasselback!

[BlitzburghRockCity]

The most important one will be Hampton vs Tobeck.. If Casey is able to do what he's been doing to centers/guards all year long..its gonna be a LONG day for Hasselback and Alexander. Casey demands double teams which frees up the others to make plays..

[83-Steelers-43]

Casey demands double teams which frees up the others to make plays..

Bingo. :bouncy:

[Suitanim]

Tobeck left alone against Hampton will result in disaster for the squaks. He'll need help, and if we can get Hutchinson and Tobeck tied up on Hampton, and Jones messing around with both Kimo and Joey, there are all kinds of mismatches to exploit against the left OL, which is considered the strength of the squaks team.