Here's a sample of my match-up column for Steel City Insider. There are three more previews, but I'll save those for SCI.
SS Troy Polamalu vs. TE Owen Daniels
The Steelers will get Polamalu at 100 percent, which hasn’t happened in a while. The defense is significantly better when he’s in there, and his missile-like speed and ability to penetrate off the blitz will be a key component to the Texans’ ability to get the ground game going, therefore, set up WR Andre Johnson in space.
Daniels must not only help block Harrison and OLB LaMarr Woodley (making his first career start), but he has to be crisp enough of a route runner to draw defensive attention away from Johnson. If he is able to get open enough, and make a few catches on a Steelers linebacker, should they choose to cover Daniels with one, he will force Polamalu into coverage more often, and out of blitzing schemes.
Labels: Steel City Insider match-ups
