After final further review it is 2 plays that lost the SuperBowl

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

nope. 3rd and 5 woulda been the perfect opportunity to run the ball. we still had a time out when the game ended. i re-watched and looked and clay matthews was left in there to spy ben, its not guaranteed it woulda gone for a huge gain, but im almost certain we woulda atleast got the 1st down, and possibly broke a big one.

in the final series vs the jets, rex ryan admitted he never expected the steelers to throw the ball on that final 3rd and 6 before we iced the game.

the packers woulda never expected a run on that 3rd and 5.

After reading this from from the ESPN NFC North blog today I am even more mystified why the Steelers went away from the run mid-way through the 3rd quarter

Anyone catch the "Sound FX" segment featuring Super Bowl XLV, currently airing on the NFL Network? Using microphones embedded around the field at Cowboys Stadium, the piece provided -- among other things -- some interesting insight into one of our pregame XLV posts.

As you might recall, we discussed the possible mismatch when the Pittsburgh Steelers ran behind right tackle Flozell Adams. From that post:

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Steelers averaged 5.9 yards per carry during the regular season when they ran behind right tackle Flozell Adams, the second-highest total in the NFL. And for reasons that will be hard to pinpoint, the Packers' otherwise strong run defense allowed 5.2 yards per carry in that same direction during the season. That number placed them No. 26 overall among NFL teams in that category.

It wasn't entirely clear why the Packers' defense was weak in that direction, but "Sound FX" made clear the Steelers' assessment. At one point, running backs coach Kirby Wilson points to linebacker Clay Matthews' position on a grease board. Wilson tells backup running back Isaac Redman that the Steelers would target Matthews for the entire game.

"He doesn't want to take on the run," Wilson said. "He's a pass-rush specialist. He wants to pass rush Mike Vick. He wants to pass rush Matthew Stafford. ... We're going to keep pounding and make this guy quit."

We then see Matthews manning the right side of the Steelers offense, recognizing a formation that suggests the Steelers were planning to run in his direction.

"Watch the power! Watch the power!" Matthews says.

At the snap, Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu pulls toward Matthews and flattens him. Running back Rashard Mendenhall scoots by on his way to a 19-yard run.

Next, Matthews is on the bench shaking his head about the play, noting that he recognized what was coming but lamenting that Kemoeatu is " just a big boy."

Kemoeatu is listed at 344 pounds, or 89 pounds more than Matthews.

Mendenhall finished the game with 14 carries. He gained 66 yards on runs that went to the right of center, based on a review of the official play-by-play. Mendenhall ran twice to the left, netting zero yards, and lost three yards on his only run up the middle.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/pos...zed-a-mismatch

[tony hipchest]

if its so obvious that we should run to the right behind flozell, arians will not do it because if it is so obvious they will figure it out and of course be prepared for it. "if theyre expecting run we will catch them off guard with the pass".

the problem with arians is he wants to trick every opponent's coaches and try to out think them. its almost like he is afraid of failure to just line up and smash the opponent in the mouth.

he is guilty of what joey porter accused the colts of being.

[Velvet Elvis]

Originally Posted by ZoneBlitzer

Ben missing a wide open Heath on his 2nd pick was inexcusable. You can get the read at the line on that play. If in doubt, look again because Heath is putting his hand up. How Ben misses that at this stage in his career is beyond me.

He is "elite", yet regressing.

[Kanata-Steeler]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

A ton of fans will refuse to watch a replay of a horrible, heartbreaking loss, and many players do the same.

I am the opposite. I watched the Packers at the podium, and all the post-game interviews, jubilation, and highlight shows full of praise for the champions.

I emersed myself in the misery of the Steelers players who were despondant and who felt they let their city, team, and fans down.

I followed all the coverage through the week, and all the analysts shows that pick apart every single aspect and play of the game.

perhaps I am just sick, or perhaps it is just part of the healing proces, or perhaps it is just because I am an NFL junkit and it is whaat I do after the end of every season whether the Steelers win, lose, or arent even in the playoffs.

Since the loss hurt so bad, it is easiest to understand it, put it behind me, and then appreciate the game and season for what it was.

For me that means simplfying the loss. Many people want to complicate it by saying Ben was off, or Arians had a horrible gameplan that was too predictable, or that it was because of drafting, linemen being out, or the play of cornerbacks, penalties, slippery turf and injuries.

It is very easy and almost overly simplistic to blame the 3 turnovers. People want a scapegoat. But in this instance there is no scapegoat. In a game of 120 or so plays it came down to 2-

Ben's second interception and Clay Matthews forced fumble. I could say each play was a potential 14 point swing and we should have won 38-17. Since Bens misread on his pick only definitively cost us 7 points i will say we wouldve won had these 2 plays not happened.

Im throwing out all the penalties, missed tackles, dropped passes, and supposed bad play by individuals. It happened to both teams and is a wash. Most importantly I am throwing out the Pick 6 on Ben's 1st interception where his arm was hit. Sometimes a team is just "out physicalled" on a play. That happens in football; its the nature of the beast. Its where you have the least opportunity to control the outcome.

I had initially thought this was the backbreaking play of the game, but not no more.

The other 2 are more crucial because they were made between the ears as much as on the field.

Inside The NFL had the best footage, coverage, and analysis of these 2 plays I have seen thus far.

On the interception, the packers were in man-to-man coverage at the line. heath Miller was uncovered. Say what you want, but Manning, Brady, Brees woulda instantly recognized this pre-snap and it wouldve been an easy TD. Miller was wide open because of the Packers mistake.

On the forced fumble, Kevin Greene told Clay Matthews "it is time" whose fault is it that a coach fired up his player to make the play of the game when it was most needed by them? In the pre-snap huddle you hear Matthews predicting the correct run play saying he "has a feeling".

A great play by Matthews, a horrible play by Ben. sometimes it is that simple.

Yep, I agree here, that pretty well sums it up. Ben(Ariens) and Mendy wanted desperately to get those (2, or 3 Horrible Interceptions) back with that last drive. -it could have swung real fast to us in those last seconds, and we would have won, -but lady luck didn't smile.

[plenewken]

Originally Posted by Kanata-Steeler

Yep, I agree here, that pretty well sums it up. Ben(Ariens) and Mendy wanted desperately to get those (2, or 3 Horrible Interceptions) back with that last drive. -it could have swung real fast to us in those last seconds, and we would have won, -but lady luck didn't smile.

Green Bay had more dropped passes than the Steelers. I'd say at least 4 or 5 more and they were all right on the money, unlike ours. Rodgers is much more accurate than Ben, much more. Ben can always say our WRs ran the wrong routes but bottom line is, the ball was not catchable.
Overall, GB deserved the W, no ifs, ands or buts.