Offense is Steelers' defense mechanism
NFL PLAYOFFS
By controlling the ball, Pittsburgh can keep its defensive players fresh against the San Diego Chargers.
Reporting from Pittsburgh — A clear-thinking quarterback might prefer seeing Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense on videotape than in person.
And where would the Steelers like to see their defense?
On the sideline, naturally.
Because if their defensive players are on the home sideline in Sunday's divisional game against San Diego, milling around with their helmets in hand, it means Pittsburgh's offense is doing its job.
That offensive directive: hoard the clock, keep the Chargers off the field, and give their defense a breather. That's what happened eight weeks ago, when the Steelers moved the ball at will -- between the 20s, at least -- on their way to an 11-10 victory. Even though it repeatedly sputtered in the red zone and failed to score a touchdown, Pittsburgh controlled the ball for 13 minutes longer than the Chargers, the NFL equivalent of a month.
"It helped [the defense] out tremendously," Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward said Wednesday. "You come out and you've got a fresh James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley coming off every time. If we can control the ball and keep their offense off the field, it will definitely increase our chances of winning the ballgame."
Harrison, who had 16 sacks, was the league's defensive player of the year, and fellow outside linebacker Woodley had 11 1/2 . They were so effective pressuring passers that the Steelers didn't have to blitz as frequently this season, freeing teammates to help in coverage.
The Steelers ranked first in yards and points given up, first against the pass, and second against the run. They didn't allow a 100-yard rusher all season, and have allowed only two in the last three years.
Not surprisingly, those Pittsburgh punishers are supremely confident about what they can do.
"Just give us a place to stand out there on the field and we're going to defend it," Woodley said. "If y'all put us on the one-yard line, we're going to stop them from getting in there. We're going to try to get our offense the ball back. That's our job. No matter where you put us out on the field, our job is to get off the field."
Keeping a defense rested is not revolutionary thinking. Every offense strives to control the clock, but that's particularly important for the Steelers, whose high-intensity style differs greatly from that of the Indianapolis Colts, San Diego's last opponent.
