Steelers vs Vikings

[bowens]

I don't claim to be an offensive coach, but I really don't see the big problem with the call. The entire stadium think you're going to pound the ball, the only thing you don't want to do is take a sack or throw an int. If you don't make it, you can come back and still run the rock on 3rd dow, where the defense has to be unsure whether or not you'll run or pass. Perhaps I'm being naive, but it doesn't seem unreasonable to PA there...

[IggyWH]

It's very unreasonable for really any team, but especially the Steelers who are a running team. Why try to get "cute" there? Bettis just got you 6 easy yards when they had the box stacked. Running is the ONLY option you should even be considering at that point.

While my reasoning has nothing to do with the result, you saw just how well that PA pass worked out...

[BadBoyBenny]

I think it is better to call the PA on 2nd than third down, and if they hadn't screwed up the snap on 3rd, maybe it would have opened it up a little more.

I agree that running Bettis 3 times up the middle is never a bad idea, but I don't think that the play call was terrible.

[bowens]

I suppose I can see your point, but (and this is a moot point now) would you be screaming as loudly if they ran on 2nd and 3rd down, and got stuffed like they did to the Vikes? Just tryin to understand your thinking...

[IggyWH]

[ QUOTE ]
I suppose I can see your point, but (and this is a moot point now) would you be screaming as loudly if they ran on 2nd and 3rd down, and got stuffed like they did to the Vikes? Just tryin to understand your thinking...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not at all, because the Steelers live & die by the run. They die, when they try to get "cute". There's no reason to get "cute" when it is not needed, and in that situation, it wasn't needed.