The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Atlanta for their final road game of the 2014 season to face the Falcons. While they’re working on the goal of winning out to secure a playoff spot, we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, Dec. 13th.
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O-line Lovin
Mike Prisuta gives us some affection being shown towards the Steelers offensive line following a dominant performance at the line of scrimmage last week against Cincinnati. The Steelers offense, towards the end of the game, were able to run basically the same play over and over again with the Bengals knowing what was coming, but unable to stop it due to the stellar play of the line. The Steelers offense had a similar game previously against Tennessee where they gained possession in the final 6:58 minutes and kept it until they were able to kneel it out for the win.
"“They were both pretty solid games. I’ll take this game (against Cincinnati), if I were to choose.” – David DeCastro"
Taylor likely “Out” against Falcons
ESPN’s Scott Brown reports that the Steelers defense will likely be without Ike Taylor on Sunday afternoon against the Falcons. The cornerback has not practiced all week long and is listed as “doubtful” on the team’s injury report. James Harrison is questionable but practiced on a limited basis on Friday while recovering from a knee injury. Everyone else is probable, including Marcus Gilbert, who has missed the last two games. The Atlanta Falcons will most likely be making WR Julio Jones a game-time decision after he hurt his hip in their Monday night loss to Green Bay.
Steelers secondary
The Steelers defense has given up scoring plays of 67, 80, 69, 81, 35 and 31 over the past six games explains the Trib’s Jerry DiPaola. This is a trend they’re hoping to stop, and quite frankly, they’re going to need to stop if they want to stand a chance at or in the playoffs. They’re going to be tested this week again, whether or not Jones plays for the Falcons, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan is surely capable of throwing a bomb if the Steelers make it available to him. With Ike Taylor out, the Steelers are likely to place cornerback Brice McCain on Jones on Sunday. McCain has faced Jones twice before, coming out victorious on both occasions and not allowing Jones to score touchdowns in either game. McCain at Utah faced Jones with Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl and then again in 2011 when McCain was on a Houston Texans team that beat the Falcons 17-10. Here’s hoping he has repeating success if given the chance to cover Jones again.