Red-hot Seahawks to get first big test vs. Steelers
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
Sunday, Sept. 27
As published in print Sept. 21
AT A GLANCE: The Seahawks seek to start 4-0 for the first time in
franchise history as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a battle of top
AFC contenders.
|
Warren Moon knows he’s almost out of chances.
For Kordell Stewart, possibilities spread out across the horizon.
Two quarterbacks on opposite ends of the career path meet in Pittsburgh
in a game that features two teams — Moon’s Seahawks and Stewart’s Steelers
— mentioned among AFC title contenders.
The AFC will not be won or lost in Week Four, but this game will be a
test for two teams that still aren’t exactly sure just how good they are.
The Seahawks have stormed out of the gate, winning their first three
games to tie a franchise-best start. But their opponents — Philadelphia, Arizona and
Washington — have combined for just one win. The next three games — this trip to
Pittsburgh, a Week Five trek to Kansas City and a home date vs. Denver — will prove
to be a much more accurate measuring stick for Seattle.
Pittsburgh has put together a 2-1 start, but its offense has been less
than inspiring. It seems that someone has pulled back the reins on Stewart, whose
athleticism and arm still make him one of the NFL’s most dangerous players.
Pittsburgh is 4-0 since 1993 when AFC West opponents have visited Three
Rivers Stadium (4-0 vs. the spread). Meanwhile, Seattle has won and covered the
pointspread in five consecutive games, dating back to the end of last season.
WHEN THE SEAHAWKS HAVE THE BALL:
Moon, 41, is the senior member of a veteran offense. He is playing on a
team that arguably gives him his best shot at a Super Bowl since he operated the
run-and-shoot in Houston.
Moon’s supporting cast is impressive. WR Joey Galloway is as
explosive as any wideout in the game, and fellow WR’s Mike Pritchard and James
McKnight are no slouches, either. Pittsburgh’s Carnell Lake is a top-quality
defensive back, but Dewayne Washington is susceptible to the deep ball. Moon’s eyes
should light up when Galloway lines up across from Washington. |
|
|
|
While Seattle was primarily a passing team last season, it now can
put forth a balanced attack, thanks to RB Ricky Watters, who has posted back-to-back
100-yard rushing games.
The Steeler run defense has been fairly stout this season. One big
reason is NT Joel Steed, one of the better interior linemen around. The powerful Steed
will line up over Seahawk C Kevin Glover, a quality veteran who has made multiple Pro Bowl
trips.
One thing the Pittsburgh defense has not done well this season is
pressure the quarterback. The Steelers notched only one sack in each of their first three
games. They may find it tough to harass Moon because of the Seahawk line, which features
experienced vets Brian Habib and Howard Ballard on the right side and talented youngsters
Walter Jones and Pete Kendall on the left.
WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL:
Stewart has a world of ability but hasn’t been able to tap into it
yet this season. The passing game has been erratic as Stewart seeks a new go-to receiver.
So far, no one has emerged from a WR group that includes Charles Johnson, Courtney
Hawkins, Will Blackwell and rookie Hines Ward. Also, Stewart has not showcased his
game-breaking running ability yet this season.
Stewart has thrown six interceptions in three games. He needs to avoid
mistakes against an opportunistic Seahawk defense that features rapidly developing CB
Shawn Springs, who has two interception returns for TD’s this season.
Until Stewart can get on track, the Steelers will have to rely on big
RB Jerome Bettis. "The Bus" has broken free in only one game this season,
rambling for 131 yards vs. the Bears in Week Two. He will find it difficult to bang away
against a Seattle line that features DT’s Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams. Adams had a
breakout season a year ago, while Kennedy is still a force to be reckoned with. If Steeler
rookie Alan Faneca sees significant time at left guard, as he did last week, he will
likely need help vs. Kennedy.
The Seahawk defense recorded 19 sacks in its first three games. DLE
Michael Sinclair (5 1/2 sacks this season), perhaps the unit’s top sack threat, is
very effective against subpar linemen but could find the going tough against ORT Justin
Strzelczyk, a dependable blocker.
Game preview and depth charts were compiled as of Sept. 20 |
|
Seahawk Depth Chart
|
Offense
|
| WR |
84 GALLOWAY, 82 McKnight, 81 Harris |
| OLT |
71 W. JONES, 79 G. Williams |
| OLG |
66 KENDALL, 62 Gray, 72 Greene |
| C |
53 GLOVER, 62 Gray |
| ORG |
68 HABIB, 62 Gray |
| ORT |
75 BALLARD, 74 Weiner* |
| TE |
86 FAURIA, 87 Crumpler, 49 Mili, 88 May |
| WR |
85 PRITCHARD, 89 Blades, 83 Wilson |
| QB |
1 MOON, 17 Friesz, 7 Kitna |
| RB |
32 WATTERS, 30 Green*, 31 Broussard |
| FB |
38 STRONG, 34 R. Brown |
Defense
|
| DLE |
70 SINCLAIR, 99 LaBounty |
| DLT |
98 ADAMS, 97 Saleaumua |
| DRT |
96 KENNEDY, 76 Parker |
| DRE |
93 DANIELS, 90 Croel |
| LLB |
94 C. BROWN, 56 Logan |
| MLB |
50 MYLES*, 95 Wells, 59 Smith |
| RLB |
59 SMITH, 51 Simmons*, 57 Kyle |
| LCB |
24 SPRINGS, 22 Thomas |
| RCB |
27 W. WILLIAMS, 36 McDaniel |
| SS |
20 BELLAMY, 25 Collins |
| FS |
33 D. WILLIAMS, 40 Joseph, 37 Stokes |
Specialists
|
| P |
10 FEAGLES |
| PK |
2 PETERSON |
| H |
10 FEAGLES, 17 Friesz |
| PR |
84 GALLOWAY, 40 Joseph, 81 Harris |
| KR |
31 BROUSSARD, 30 Green*, 81 Harris |
| KC |
57 KYLE, 62 Gray |
| |
* Rookie |
Back to Handicapper's Corner |
|
Steeler Depth Chart
|
Offense
|
| SE |
88 HAWKINS, 89 Blackwell, 83 Coleman |
| OLT |
77 WOLFORD, 78 Conrad* |
| OLG |
62 DUFFY, 65 Faneca* |
| C |
63 DAWSON, 66 Sweeney |
| ORG |
68 STAI, 65 Faneca |
| ORT |
73 STRZELCZYK, 67 Stephens |
| TE |
87 BRUENER, 85 Lyons, 84 Bishop |
|
| FL |
81 C. JOHNSON, 86 Ward*, 80 Arnold |
| QB |
10 STEWART, 18 Tomczak, 7 Gonzalez* |
| HB |
36 BETTIS, 33 Huntley, 45 Fuamatu-Ma'afala*, 25 McAfee |
| FB |
38 WITMAN, 33 Huntley, 35 King* |
Defense
|
| DLE |
74 HARRISON, 71 Roye, 94 Staat* |
| NT |
93 STEED, 98 Gibson |
| DRE |
76 HENRY, 97 Manuel |
| LOLB |
92 GILDON, 96 Vrabel |
| LILB |
99 KIRKLAND, 57 Fiala |
| RILB |
50 HOLMES, 54 D. Jones |
| ROLB |
51 EMMONS, 96 Vrabel |
| LCB |
37 LAKE, 26 Townsend* |
| RCB |
20 WASHINGTON, 23 Simmons*, 29 Brown |
| SS |
41 FLOWERS, 21 Orlando |
| FS |
39 PERRY, 24 Oldham |
Specialists
|
| P |
4 MILLER |
| K |
9 N. JOHNSON |
| H |
18 TOMCZAK |
| PR |
83 COLEMAN, 89 Blackwell, 80 Arnold |
| KOR |
89 BLACKWELL, 33 Huntley |
| KC |
60 RODENHAUSER, 62 Duffy |
| |
* Rookie |
|
