Steelers Blank the Seahawks

The Steelers (1-1) rebounded from their blowout in week one by blanking the visiting Seahawks (0-2). The Steelers came out like a completely different team, really showing that the loss was just a fluke. The Steelers controlled the game possessing the ball nearly 39 minutes to the Seahawks 21.

The Steelers offense played well in the game although there were times that they appeared rather flat. The offense put up 421 net yards and did not commit a single turnover. The line also held up surprisingly well only allowing two sacks and with the exception of one scary hit to Ben's knee, they kept him upright all day. The Steelers also consistently used the run game to find the end zone, something that they couldn't do last week.

Rashard Mendenhall started the Steelers off in the first quarter with a one yard run to put the Steelers up 7-0. Back up runningback Issac Redman did his part the following quarter running in a score from 20 yards out. The Steeler would add a field goal before half and finish their scoring off with a two yard touchdown pass from Big Ben to Mike Wallace in the third quarter.

The biggest difference between week one and two was the Steelers getting back to what they know. In the first half the Steelers controlled the tempo of the game doubling the plays and time of possession of the Seahawks. The Steelers also tripled the Seahawks in total yards. The run game worked extremely well and with the exception of the low hit on Ben the offensive line played extremely well.

The defense destroyed Tarvaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Jackson ended with only 159 yards passing, the bulk of that taking place during garbage time in the fourth quarter. Lynch didn't fare any better as he totaled just 11 yards on six carries. The Seahawk offense did not run a single play in Steeler territory until 10 minutes left in the game.

The defense looked like the Steelers of old only allowing 164 net yards, 159 through the air and 31 on the ground. Polamalu, Farrior, Harrison, Foote, Woodley and McLendon all had a part in the Steelers five sacks, which totaled negative 26 yards. This was a huge improvement over the one sack that they mustered against the Ravens. With Bryant McFadden out with an injury William Gay stepped in at corner and played rather well. Keenan Lewis struggled late and Curtis Brown made a couple really nice special team plays as well.

The one issue I am still having with the defense is the lack of excitement. The greatest thing about the Steel Curtain is how the team feeds off each other, and that was rather non-existent today. A prime example was a three yard tackle for loss by LaMarr Woodley. After the hit and loss on second and two he just stood up and everyone walked back to the huddle, no excitement. Larry Foote did show us the "stomp" after a sack, so we will just hope that the energy returns as they put some wins together.

I don't know who had the biggest hand in the play calling, whether it was Ben, Arians or a suggestion from Tomlin and the front office, but the Steelers really did some great things. The team ran the ball 35 times and passed 31 times, including Emmanuel Sanders first ever NFL pass. The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and opened up some really good lanes for Steeler runningbacks. Tight end Health Miller was so valuable as well as he secured the edge all afternoon for Rashard Mendenhall.

The team improved so much from the first week to the second week and I expect the improvement to just keep going. The Steelers will travel to Indianapolis next week and the Colts just can't seem to beat anyone. Kerry Collins is struggling with the offense and the defense is dealing with a large amount of injuries.