First, coming off a couple of wins, well-rested and Alex Smith playing good football, you feel good about Monday’s game – especially with the Steelers being less rested?
The rest is a good thing but I think it would be much different if the game were being played Sunday instead of Monday. I watched the Baltimore game Wednesday – I think the score made the game look closer than it was.
Pittsburgh is coached extremely well – they are a lot more talented than Washington in just about every area. So while the rest is one area you can look at and draw a conclusion that it’s a big advantage for Washington, I think the pedigree and leadership in Pittsburgh makes it less of a difference-maker. I would like to think it would – maybe if it were the Lions – but not with the Steelers. They do things right – Tomlin will have them ready for Washington.
Looking at your offense – how big of a difference has Alex Smith made to this offense?
He’s been a big difference – a lot of it has been with the intangibles. I was listening to an interview with former Washington running back Chris Thompson on ESPN, and he said that of all the quarterbacks he’s ever played with, Smith was the one that had the most specialty qualities about him. He gives the aura that anything is possible – his leadership and control. He doesn’t have to have gaudy stats – he just makes you feel like you can win no matter what.
And of course, obviously what he’s gone through to be a starting caliber NFL quarterback is incredible. I think he’s a shoe-in to be the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. I know that would probably make Ben Roethlisberger angry to hear that!
What specifically has he brought to the team in terms of scheme?
Alex’s is an upgrade over the young guys behind him. I liked Haskins coming out of the draft but he hasn’t meshed well with the coaching staff. Alex’s presence has also helped Scott Turner – the offensive coordinator – with the playcalling. He’s more comfortable with the playcalling with Alex Smith back there and it’s been more effective. Smith is good at the short passing offense to running backs and receivers – they are like an extension of the running game.
The run game has been using more zone run blocking with Gibson. Turner likes to say you can’t lose money making a profit – meaning that checkdowns and quick passes for short yardage are still wins in his system. Letting those guys make plays after the catch.
It’s very similar to Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme really – except Pittsburgh has more playmakers.
As a defense, how do you stop the Redskins offense?
You need to shut down the run fist – don’t let Gibson get going. I don’t think Washington will be able to run well – Pittsburgh has a very good run defense and our offensive line is banged up and overmatched.
I think if you stop the run and force Washington to pass under pressure – they just don’t have enough playmakers outside of McLaurin, and the offensive line can’t protect Smith.
Where are the biggest weaknesses in that offense?
They don’t really have any playmakers besides McLaurin and Gibson. The offensive line is overmatched especially at tackle – they are playing a right tackle at left tackle and a sixth round pick of the Raiders two years ago at right tackle. The interior of the line has played extremely well, but the tackles worry me.
You defense has been very good – where are the strengths there?
The defense is the strength of the team – it has been very good. Chase Young has been everything they expected him to be. The defensive line has five first rounders at four positions – it has good depth – they have six solid guys.
The secondary has played above expectations – but the safeties are a concern and the linebackers are middling at best. The have very interesting, young guys at linebacker but they can get exposed in coverage.
How do you attack this defense?
I think you go five-wide and throw those quick passes – I don’t think the linebackers and corners can hold up. Roethlisberger is the quickest in the league at getting balls out and that negates Washington’s strength. So the matchup is tough for Washington even though I know the Steelers’ offensive line is depleted.
How does Washington best defend this Steelers offense?
I do wonder if Pittsburgh will try to establish the run first. Washington has been weaker versus the run than the pass – do they try to establish that early? If the Steelers go five-wide, if I’m Washington I don’t blitz and rush four – maybe even just three guys. I watched Baltimore do that with some success – that’s when they gave the Steelers the most problems.
Bend but don’t break and drop lots of guys into coverage and try to confuse the offense.
Any predictions?
I think this could be close at first – Pittsburgh is coming off so many obstacles and short rest and Washington is rested. But I don’t see Washington being able to score more than 14-to-17 points, and in the end I think Pittsburgh can score more than 20 easily and win.
The Steelers organization is one to be envious of – though Washington does seem to be turning the corner. I think it’ll be fairly close but the Steelers will come out being the only 12-0 team.
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