WideNine

Cleveland must be taking away the sidelines/outside??? If not, I would think that the Steelers would be taking passes out of bounds and stopping the clock. They are bleeding valuable time - not that I want the Steelers to win...

Steelers Heyward being handled 1 on 1 by Cleveland's center... that is a pretty big advantage to Browns.

Not sure that is a bad idea as punt teams are often filled out with guys that are not regular starters on offense or defense. More of a chance of rookie or inexperienced mistake. I can see the case for doing it that way.

I am amazed when that hard count actually works - but there are times it does.

Tough call as Pittsburgh seems to have figured out what the Browns were doing on offense so you could just punt it away and see if your D can stop them and give you better field position.... Then again, you go for it you put Cleveland in FG distance right away.

Finally tuning in - inconvenient honey-do list Was just about to post that Ben looks waaay off on his passes and he gets one to Smith-Schuster. Getting closer - see what the Steeler's "D" can do.

Radical shift for me, but I used one today

This. I think it is something Indy saw on film on how to confuse our zone - they ran a guy just to the middle of that corner zone to clear out the DB responsible for that zone, then ran another receiver into the vacated zone. That was not on Milano, just a well-designed play reminiscent of many that Daboll draws up for our receivers vs zone. Personally thought we needed to shift into more cover-0 with maybe just one safety over top and bring more heat on Rivers. He beat our blitzes a few times, but scuttling back into the zone defense they were eating up did not feel like the right answer. It is interesting in regards to our two primary starting LB's. PFF (I know, but hard to think there is a lot of bias here) has Tremaine as 52nd best LB in the league and Milano as 59th. I have heard the age discussion for Edmunds but honestly there are plenty of LBs ranked before him that are 22 years old like he is. Dodson is actually ranked higher than both... so interesting. It also should give Beane an idea of where they fit on the contract scale.

I read somewhere that Rivers was not pressured on something like 80% of his drop-backs yesterday. I think most of these guys look like all-stars with that kind of time and pocket, but agree with the order you have. Ben's key ability was escaping and shedding would-be tacklers to extend plays, but he looked severely limited when we played him.

I know that Yeldon has soft hands and is a good outlet, but not sure what we have in Williams to dismiss that role out of hand. He did not post much in the receiving column when playing for NC, but that can also just be offensive game planning or scheme. He did do some kick return duty. Tough to say whether he would be a great asset or hurt us. As a pure running back he may well be better than Yeldon, but knowledge of our offense, pass-pro duties, and when and where to release as an outlet option for Allen, Yeldon probably is more capable at this point.

McD is stubbornly loyal and resistant to making quick changes to his approach. He values continuity over the chaos of reactive leadership. This sometimes is frustrating and reminds me of that comic picture of a captain saluting as his ship sinks and the waters cover him, but that is part of his concept of process; an organization that has a vision and will stay on course pursuing that vision and is not going to become reactionary. That being said, he clearly believes there is a right time for internal discussions and self-scouting, as well as being open to philosophical/strategic coaching changes. For example, they went out and found a new o-line coach, they went out and found a new special teams coach. Both of these moves have paid dividends over the longer term. After a win you can get roasted here if you critique some of the ways our team could have played better. I do think this is misguided because I think it falls into that reactionary mindset of "this team sucks fire them all" after a loss and "this team is unstoppable" after a win. These are just fans being carried along by the emotion of the game - I get it and try not to take it personally when folks go nuts if I criticize a play. But McD when told that Allen had said post-game (paraphrasing here) that he was happy that although the team started out slow they were able to find their groove and move the ball/score, and then McD was asked if he was happy about that ability the offense had to course-correct. His response, was to smile and comment that he would rather we did not fall behind to start out a game. That is a fair response from a coach, and one that also shows that he is aware that our defense this year plays much better with a padded lead where they can focus on stopping the pass. He has done a good job with this team and is trying to build something sustainable. It has been fugly at times, but it is hard to argue with his track record to date. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/video/2020-nfl-on-fox-awards-sean-mcdermott-named-coach-of-the-year/vi-BB1cznsH

Hard not to see the Steelers running away with this game. When Pittsburgh started their starters earlier in the season it was a lopsided 38-7, when resting their starters the Browns eeked out a win. In-conference game so you just never know how close it could be. I do believe that the Browns are playing better and that Mayfield has a better grasp of the offense that Alex Van Pelt (revenge of "the Pill") has been patiently teaching him and their scramble rules for off schedule throws are less chaotic than in Mayfield's prior years. You never know - could be close. I have such mixed feelings about who I would prefer to advance... the Browns just haven't been there and their fans have been just crapped on over the years, yet the premature crowning of Mayfield and his commercials during our Bills games just irk me. But I think the Browns had to have a QB whose attitude and confidence was bigger than the cloud of doom over their franchise - he fits them. The Steelers have been there and have had their turns, and I would like them to sink into the same hole that hopefully swallows up the Patriots org.

Man those draws by Jackson are just killer. Not sure what kind of QB he will be if his legs or knees go on him, but right now he is a real dual-threat and difficult to defend.

Tanny telegraphs his throws and has an exaggerated release. Hard to believe he tore up our secondary, but they used a lot of size mismatch short crossers over the middle against our depleted LB core and hurting secondary. Still a bit embarrassing what Tennessee did to us. Beane needs to pick up a big ol' run-stuffing, blocker absorbing 1-tech that does not smoke and slack his way out of the league ala Darius and then bring on the rematch.

They miss those picks all the time... pretty random when it gets called

If Jackson can improve those outside passes he will be even more dangerous.

The Ravens have a pretty good run defense...

Davis is a gem, and Allen has a ton of faith in him. He has been doing some amazing sideline and end zone toe-drags in bounds all year. That kid has phenomenal concentration. Kudos to our scouting staff.

The guy knows how to find the sticks too. Prob not 100%, but was a difference maker today.

Nearly everyone that watched the zillion replays disagreed with you. I think we even had an Indy fan drop by and congratulate us for winning "twice". All the color commentators agreed it was a fumble. Homerism abounds.

He made some amazing catches and Indy brought the lumber on one of his shorter outlet grabs. Could tell he was in pain- guy is tough as nails.

I never dinged him for a turnover so not sure what you are referencing. I did say that Williams gave up on his block and that Dawkins got forklifted into Allen's lap and he had no where to escape to. Williams quasi-redeemed himself falling on the fumble but that set us up for that non-existent 3rd and 34 play.

They had a guy subbing for their starting LT too. That is a bit pathetic. We need to improve our pass rush. I know I harp on this, but a true impact 1-tech that absorbs 2-3 blockers makes that whole line better. I have high hopes for Johnson and Epenesa getting better too.

A running back just needs to demand respect and more guys in the box to be effective. I think Henry scored in that game and also allowed Tanny to pick apart our secondary for 1st down after 1st down limiting our offensive chances and possessions. Indy clearly rolled that tape with this game plan. Should have been called a few times on the delay of game though when they were milking the clock and it got to zero before they got the play off.

Wasn't Wright supposed to get doused with ketchup and mustard if Allen won a playoff game? I thought he made some kind of bet.