Steelers

The Ultimate Steelers vs Bears Game Day Preview

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Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the NFL franchise that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a team that always strives for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less in return. This is the ultimate Steelers Game Day Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with a weekly game story, the Steelers offensive and defensive game plans for success, prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.

 

Steelers seek 4th straight victory

If the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) are to truly believe themselves as AFC playoff contenders, the anemic offense displayed through the first seven games is in drastic need of improvements.

Scoring only 18.8 points a game (26th in the NFL) with the type of weapons the Steelers have is unacceptable. The biggest questions that remain unanswered are whether the problems lie with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or offensive coordinator Matt Canada?

Roethlisberger has played better of late, going 3-0, with four touchdowns and no interceptions since week five. Big Ben has also thrown for 748 yards in that span.

Unfortunately, points have been hard to come by, and part of that is the lack of a deep game at all by Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger has also missed some easy progressions that could’ve resulted in some major splash plays the past few weeks.

Perhaps an improving running game will force more defensive players close to the line of scrimmage, opening up some room in the secondary for Roethlisberger to take advantage of.

Najee Harris is all for becoming a Derrick Henry-esque workhorse for the Steelers, and the sooner, the better.

Question is, would taking so many carries be detrimental to a running back’s health?

“I feel like some are kind of stereotyping running backs,” Harris said . “I feel like every running back is different. We’ve got little running backs, you’ve got bigger guys. I’m not saying a little running back can’t carry the load, but bigger running backs can carry some of the load. Over the years, I guess people have seen little running backs carry the load and they break down. I think the old-school running backs are still out there that can carry the load.”

The Steelers have always been known for having a bruising running game, from as far back to John Henry Johnson, to the Super Bowl dynasty years of Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, to “The Bus” Jerome Bettis, and more recently, Le’Veon Bell.

Though Henry suffered a season ending injury last week, Harris doesn’t waste much time lamenting over it.

“Now, we’ve got more technology,” Harris said. “The technology has changed. We can take care of our bodies a lot better than… years ago when we didn’t have certain things. We’ve got cryotherapy now. It was all this new technology they have for us to even get our bodies back 100%. All types of drinks and shakes coming out.”

It also helps to have Harris’ size, mobilty, and youth to factor in, as well as confidence.

“Najee thinks he’s fresh all the time,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said, “which is a great thing about him. And he’s kind of built for it.”

If the Steelers do plan on pounding the ball Monday night, the Chicago Bears (3-5) will find it a little more difficult to contain Harris, as star linebacker Khalil Mack will be out again.

The Bears did get some good news, with starting RB David Montgomery likely to suit up vs the Steelers after missing the past four weeks.

“I think all week long that he’s looked really good,” Bears head coach Matt Nagy said. “I would say there’s a really good chance, yes, of him being activated.”

With Montgomery in, rookie Kahlil Herbert will get a reduction in carries after rushing for 351 yards and a touchdown in Montgomery’s absence.

One guy who will enjoy the challenge of stopping both Montgomery and Herbert will be linebacker Taco Charlton, who was elevated from the practice squad when the team traded Melvin Ingram to Kansas City last week.

“It’s a fresh start for me,” Charlton said. “New defense, new coach, new place, so I like it a lot. I like how everybody has embraced me since I’ve been here. I am getting more comfortable with the defense each and every week. Coming from a 4-3 defense, it’s getting familiar with a lot of different coverage aspects of things, but besides that, things have been real great.”

 

Steelers Game Plan for Success

Offense

  1. Find the endzone: Nothing more to say… this team has to start scoring touchdowns and finding consistency.
  2. Pass downfield: Big throws help in gaining chunks of yards and backing defensive players out of the box, giving the running game more room to operate.
  3. Be balanced: Najee Harris needs fed the ball a good 20 times. Offensive line has looked better each week.

Defense

  1. Pressure Justin Fields, cause turnoversThe young QB will find his way, eventually. But right now, Fields isn’t handling pressure very well. TJ Watt and crew need to be in his face all game.
  2. Stop Bears rushing attack: Kahlil Herbert and David Montgomery will be the key to any Chicago success.

 

Prediction

It’s Monday Night Football, under the lights, in Primetime, at Heinz Field, and the Steelers will be donning their color rush uniforms.

That’s usually a death sentence for for any team, let alone the Chicago Bears, a sub-five hundred team that has trouble putting points on the board.

The Steelers haven’t exactly been the ’99 Rams when it comes to finding the endzone in 2021, but it seems the offense is on the verge of breaking out soon.

The Steelers have found a balance between feeding Najee Harris the ball on the ground, to Ben Roethlisberger utilizing all of his weapons in the passing game, from Harris, his receivers in Dionatae Johnson and Chase Claypool, and now both tight ends in Pat Friermuth and Zach Gentry. That formula seems to be the key to this offense finding it’s true identity, and on Monday night, it will all come together… Steelers 24 Bears 13

Game Day Information

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears

  • Vegas line: Pittsburgh -6.5

Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Field: Kentucky Blue Grass

Game-time: Monday, November 8th, at 8:15 PM

TV: ESPN

  • Announcers: Steve Levy (play-by-play) Brian Griese (analyst) | Lisa Salters (reporter)

Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM

  • Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)

National Radio: Westwood One Sports (National)

  • Announcers: Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) Trent Green (analyst)

Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com

Weather at kickoff: 52 and partly cloudy.  Winds out of the South at 5 mph.

NFL Links

 

Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall record: 4-3 (4th in AFC North)

Last game: Steelers 15 Browns 10

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (14th Season with Steelers)

  • Overall regular-season record: 149-81-1
  • Playoff record: 8-8 (Qualified for playoffs 9 times)

Links

 

Steelers Offense

Offensive Stats

  • Points per game: 18.9
  • Total yards per game: 340.4
  • Passing yards per game: 254.4
  • Rushing yards per game: 86

 

Offensive Scouting Report

  • Strengths: Balance. Najee Harris.
  • Weaknesses: Scoring. Passing downfield. Being consistent…

 

Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger | Back-up: Mason Rudolph

  • Ben Roethlisberger has 1,781 yards passing with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He has been sacked 14 times. Big Ben is best suited dropping back to pass around 25-30 times a game.

Starting Running Back: Najee Harris | Back-up: Benny Snell, Jr. and Kalen Ballage.

  • Rookie Najee Harris is getting stronger by the week, and has rushed for 479 yards and three scores this year. Harris is 2nd on the team with 37 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns…

Wide Receivers: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Cody White.

  • Diontae Johnson is tied for the team lead with 40 catches for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Chase Claypool has 26 receptions for 403 yards and a touchdown. Juju Smith-Schuster has been lost for the year with a shoulder injury. James Washington has caught 11 passes for 112 yards. Ray-Ray McCloud has seven receptions for 54 yards. Cody White will look to make the most of his chances, but had better not drop anymore passes like he did vs Denver.

 Ends: Pat Friermuth, Eric Ebron, and Zach Gentry.

  • Eric Ebron has seven catches for 47 yards. Pat Friermuth seems to have passed Ebron on the depth chart, and has 22 receptions for 202 yards and a score. Zach Gentry has logged six catches for 60 yards.

Placekicker: Chris Boswell

  • Extra Points: 12-12
  • Field Goals: 12-13
  • 1-19 yards: 0-0
  • 20-29 yards: 4-4
  • 30-39 yards: 2-2
  • 40-49 yards: 3-4
  • 50+ yards: 3-3

*Injured/Out

 

Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)

Defensive Stats

  • Points per game allowed: 20.3
  • Total offense yards per game allowed: 345.7
  • Passing yards allowed: 239.7
  • Rushing yards allowed: 106
  • Sacks: 19
  • Interceptions: 2

 

Defensive Scouting Report

  • Strengths: Great pass rush lead by T.J. Watt that limits opposing run game as well.
  • Weaknesses: DE Stephon Tuitt is still on IR. Bad tackling and communication has lead to some blown plays this year.

 

Defensive Line: Cam Heyward, Isaiah Buggs, and Chris Wormley.

  • Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley bookend Isaiah Buggs in the middle. Wormley will be in for starter Stephon Tuitt who is out indefinitely. Heyward has 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and 40 tackles.

Linebackers: T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, and Alex Highsmith.

  • Defensive Player of the Year candidate  T.J. Watt leads a solid linebacker corps alongside Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, a Pro Bowler acquired from Jacksonville, and Alex Highsmith. Watt has 8.5 sacks so far. Bush has 30 tackles and two sacks. Schobert is 2nd the team with 45 tackles.

Secondary: Joe Haden, Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Sutton.

  • Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton will be at the corners with Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety and Terrell Edmunds at strong safety. CB James Pierre will see plenty of field time in the nickle. Fitzpatrick has a team leading 51 tackles. Edmunds has one the Steelers two interceptions. Pierre will start in place of the injured Sutton this week, but expect to see more time for Justin Layne as well. Former first rounder Karl Joseph has been elevated to the 53 man roster and will play this week.

Steelers Special Teams

Punter: Pressley Harvin III

Kickoff Returners: Ray-Ray McCloud

Punt Returner: Ray-Ray McCloud

Scouting report: McCloud is averaging 24.3 yard per kickoff return and 9.3 yards per punt return.

 

Scouting the Chicago Bears

Overall record: 3-5 (3rd in NFC North)

Last game: 49ers 33 Bears 22

Head coach: Matt Nagy (4th season with Chicago)

  • Overall regular-season record: 31-25 | 31-25 with Chicago

Links

 

Bears Offense

Offensive Stats

  • Points per game: 15.4
  • Total Offense per game: 294.3
  • Passing yards per game: 157.6
  • Rushing yards per game: 136.6

 

Offensive Scouting Report

  •  Strengths: Run game. Kahlil Herbert and David Montgomery make a nice duo.
  • Weaknesses: Passing game. Scoring. Keeping QB upright.

 

Starting Quarterback: Justin Fields | Back-up: Andy Dalton

  • Justin Fields has thrown for 991 yards with just three touchdowns to seven interceptions. Despite rushing for 243 yards and a pair of scores, Fields has been sacked 26 times.

 Starting Running Back: David Montgomery | Back-up: Kahlil Herbert, and Damien Williams*

  • Kahlil Herbert had taken the starting job with quality starts, rushing for 351 yards and one score. Herbert also has nine receptions for 44 yards. David Montgomery, the Bears top back, has been out since October 3rd, but will suit up Monday night. Montgomery has rushed for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Damien Williams has contributed 139 yards on the ground and a pair of scores, but is out.

Wide Receivers: Darnell Mooney, Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Damiere Byrd

  • Darnell Mooney is the Bears best play-maker with 33 receptions for 409 yards and a score. Allen Robinson has been a disappointment, nabbing 26 catches for 271 yards and one score. Marquise Goodwin has caught 11 passes for 123 yards.

Tight Ends: Cole Kmet and Jesse James

  • Cole Kmet is the top tight end on the Bears with 22 receptions for 197 yards. Jesse James has six catches for 58 yards and a TD.

Placekicker: Cairo Santos

  • Extra Points: 12-13
  • Field Goals: 11-11
  • 1-19 yards: 0-0
  • 20-29 yards: 5-5
  • 30-39 yards: 4-4
  • 40-49 yards: 2-2
  • 50+ yards: 0-0

*Injured/out

 

Bears Defense (Base 4-3) 

Defensive Stats

  • Points per game allowed: 24.4
  • Total offense yards per game allowed: 357.5
  • Passing yards allowed: 232.5
  • Rushing yards allowed: 125
  • Sacks: 21
  • Interceptions: 4

 

Defensive Scouting Report

  • Strengths: Good pass rush.
  • Weaknesses: Suspect secondary. Defense allows more than 24 points per game.

 

Defensive Line: DE Akiem Kicks has 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. NT Bilal Nichols has one sack and 21 tackles.

Linebackers: Roquan Smith leads the Bears with 80 tackles, has two sacks and one INT. Robert Quinn has 22 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Kahlil Mack has 19 tackles and team leading six sacks, but is out.

Secondary: Safety DeAndre Houston-Carson has 26 tackles and one pick.

 

Bears Special Teams

Kickoff Returners: Jakeem Grant and Kahlil Herbert

Punt Returner: Nsimba Webster

Scouting report: Jakeem Grant is averaging 26.7 yards per kickoff return. Nsimba Webster is averaging 3.3 yards per punt return.

 

Steelers vs Bears History

Series History: Began in 1934

Overall Record: 7-19-1

  • Home: 6-7-1
  • Away: 1-12
  • Postseason: 0-0

Streak: Bears won the last three games.

Last regular-season meeting: Bears Win, 23-17 (Sept. 24, 2017)

Last postseason meeting: N/A

 

Injury Report (11/6/21)

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Out: TE Eric Ebron (Ankle)
  • Doubtful: None reported
  • Questionable: OL B.J. Finney (Back)

Chicago Bears

  • Out: QB Nick Foles (Non-Injury/Personal/Illness), TE J.P. Holtz (Concussion), LB Khalil Mack (Foot), RB Damien Williams (Knee)
  • Doubtful: DB Eddie Jackson (Hamstring)
  • Questionable: LB Alec Ogletree (Ankle), WR Darnell Mooney (Groin)

 

 

 

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About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team. There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all! As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football. For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.

There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!

As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.

For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!

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