by J.J. CooperFiled under: Packers, Steelers, Super Bowl
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, explosive plays can be the difference between winning and losing.During the 2010 season, no one was better at making big plays, and keeping their opponents from making big plays, than the Steelers. It's exactly what defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's defense is designed to do -- create safe pressure that puts the quarterback on the ground without allowing big plays in return.
But for the first time all year, that formula didn't work on Sunday for Pittsburgh. In the Super Bowl, the Steelers were unable to get explosive plays (run or pass plays of 20-plus yards) themselves, but more importantly, they couldn't keep the Packers from getting them.
In 18 games this season, the Steelers had never allowed more 20-plus yard plays than they had put together themselves. They had only allowed more than three 20-plus yard plays twice all season (four in a win against the Bucs and six in a win against the Browns). Against the Packers, Pittsburgh allowed six while getting only two -- a 37-yard catch and run by Antwaan Randle El and Mike Wallace's 20-yard touchdown.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/07/big-plays-uncharacteristically-doom-steelers/
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