04-07-2016, 05:05 PM
(04-07-2016, 04:20 PM)Bengalzona Wrote: I think there is a change, as well. PIT used to be the posterchild for AFCN football: hard-nosed defense and run the ball down their throats until they are exhausted. I blame it on the change to a more pass-reliant offense.
PIT's defense is still good. But I think everyone will admit that it is not as dominant as it was a decade ago. Part of that is turnover in personnel: The retirement of the Old Guard. But I think another part of that is that they are on the field a lot longer than the used to be. A drawback of a good exposive pass game is that it shortens your time of possession and keeps the D on the field longer. The longer the D is out there, the more weaknesses get exposed (particularly in the secondary).
PIT's run game is good. But it is different than it used to be. It is not as "pound the rock" as it was in the days of Bettis. Bell is explosive. Part of that is his sheer natural ability. Another part is being in the offense which is more pass reliant, which opens up more opportunities on the ground. They compliment each other. But like the pass game, the key word here is "explosive". Once again, that means the D is out there longer.
Some people like the new style Steelers. I suppose it is a question of taste. Personally, I like the Bengals better over the past few years when they have been more balanced than I did when their offense was more pass reliant under Palmer.
I used to post on the old ESPN Bengal board and I'd say the same thing to Bengal fans back then. Your defense is definitely better and its weakness less exposed when you're playing from in front and are only on the field for 25 minutes a game.
