The Steelers played an impressive game last Thursday night against the "Dream Team" Eagles and they look to keep up the momentum as the season creeps closer.
This match-up is a game of unfinished business for both teams. The Falcons, were the favorites to win the NFC and advance to the Super Bowl before they were embarrassed at home by the eventual champs the Green Bay Packers. While the Steelers lost only their second Super Bowl in eight visits as they narrowly fell to the Packers. I expect both teams to play their starters most of the first half, which is not normal for the third preseason contest.
The Steelers will experiment even more with their line this week, as rookie Marcus Gilbert will start at left tackle for the questionable Jonathan Scott and fourth year veteran Tony Hills will try to lock down the right guard spot as well. The Steelers will also be welcoming back starting cornerback Bryant McFadden, who will see his first action of the preseason tonight.
Inactives:
Ike Taylor
Questionable:
Cortez Allen, Jerricho Cotchery, Mario Harvey, Emmanuel Sanders, Jonathan Scott
So, what should we all be watching or tonight? Here are my focuses for this preseason match-up.
Secondary:
The secondary still has many concerns but I am beginning to ease up a little. William Gay has played surprisingly well this preseason and Donovan Warren has had his bright spots. Keenan Lewis has been all over the place and rookie Curtis Brown has been a typical rookie thus far. The thing I will be watching for is how Bryant McFadden plays. He was solid in his pre-Cardinal years and somehow became a terrible player when he returned. I hope McFadden has put those years behind him and returns to his old form.
Offensive Line:
The Steelers have been trying players at multiple positions and I am really curious to see how they shape up this week. Most of my attention will be on rookie Marcus Gilbert, who is expected to start at left tackle, Tony Hills who will get another go at the right guard spot, and I am curious to see how the teams use recently re-signed Trai Essex.
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