I only watched a bit of the game - just before halftime and right after. I was impressed with the the fact that the Browns don't really know how to close out opponents without drama. However, I was also impressed with Big Ben's ability to slice and dice the Cleveland secondary for a couple of quick scores. It really looked like "pitch and catch" out there, with receivers open all over the place. I get it that the Browns went into what looked like a loose zone (a really dumb move) but it seems to me that Rothlisberger was in full command, during the time I watched. The observation I have is ---wouldn't it be refreshing to see a Giants QB quickly pick apart an opposing secondary? How often have we seen that, when attempting a comeback, the Giants QB throw contested passes to tightly covered receivers? Seemingly, we never see the Giants "march down the field" as the Steelers did last night. Just an observation.
After Ben's picks, it was basically garbage time the whole game. Don't let that fool you, he was terrible early when it mattered, and he they left everything under open all game after that.
If Cleveland just ran the ball more it would have bled the clock and the game wouldn't have even been that close.
It sounds like you want more garbage time stats for the Giants. Also strange.
The Browns were playing with a patchwork secondary and as observed above, they were basically in prevent defense after the first quarter. Pittsburgh had a bunch of easy completions over the middle, especially short stuff. Cleveland wanted to shorten the game once they were up big. That strategy didn't entirely succeed but they were still ahead by two scores at the end.
Regarding the Steelers: it's a playoff game, you wouldn't expect any team to quit and lay down. They're going to fight like, um, a bunch of crazed dogs. Pittsburgh beat themselves but they didn't give up.
I think the Browns have a puncher's chance against KC but that looks like a mismatch.
Also, relevant to the Giants: Note how little the Browns were able to pressure the passer, even with an elite player like Garrett, and even knowing the Steelers had to pass. That's partly to the credit of the Pittsburgh O-line and partly a matter of how fast modern offenses get the ball out. Pressure up the middle is so important now, because it keeps the QB from stepping up in the pocket.
I think most of us know why the '08 Giants had a complete meltdown the 2nd half of the season. A certain WR, who (though not putting up crazy stats) was drawing a shitload of attention from opposing defenses (helping the rest of the O including the running game) all of a sudden drew a shitload of attention OFF the field (for accidently shooting himself).
I believe also due to injuries IIRC we had LBs starting who weren't in the league earlier in the season.
ok.
Prevent defense sux
They pointed out several times what the Browns were doing and they showed the areas of the field where the steelers could exploit it. They circled where Ebron would get targets.
Ben was playing pitch and catch. With everyone! The Browns DB's, the hands of the Browns DL! Let me guess, next we'll marvel at him throwing for 500 yards and wonder why we can't do it!!
He also may have allowed the floodgates to open by not falling on that botched snap play 1. Standing over it & just looking at it.
The Giants had this guy, Lawrence Taylor and a couple of friends, that could just about squash out anybody.
But the Browns were missing two starting CBs and maybe a safety.
They weren't as good as the 08 Giants prior to Plax shooting himself.
Well I only watched a few commercials, but I thought Cleveland looked pretty good