Pittsburgh Steelers chalk up a memorable 24 point 2nd quarter and a clutch steel wall defense to silence J.J. Watts and the Houston Texans 30-23 on Monday Night Football

The game was billed as J.J. Watts' last national NFL telecast performance for this year. While J.J. Watts would once again put up monster numbers on defense, totaling one sack, one fumble recovery and three tackles, he would be out-shined by fellow #99, Steelers Defensive Tackle Brett Keisel. Keisel would make his mark on the game, as would the fortunate Steelers offense. In an almost improbable barrage of quick Touchdown strikes and shut down defensive play, the Pittsburgh Steelers would, in retrospect, hammer in the nails of the coffin for a Houston Texans team that let this game slip away, one big nail after the other.

ESPN's Scott Brown would explain in his article about Pittsburgh's much needed victory on Monday Night Football, the Steelers could have well changed their season around with a remarkable close to the first half of the game. Brown makes the parable of the likelihood of scoring 21 points in just two minutes of possession at the very end of the half to come back from a ten point disparity would be tantamount to 'cows flying over Heinz Field'. Nevertheless, retrospectively looking at the Steeler's previous two games shows only a touchdown a piece in offensive productivity respectively against the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a stagnant season and dilapidated offensive efficiency, the Steelers came alive at the end of the first half against the Texans on both sides of the field.

The Steelers' star of the night, Brett Keisel, would come up big via forcing an incompletion on third down from Houston's QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and ensuing punt. Trailing 13-3, Steeler's Ben Roethlisberger (QB)would connect with Martavis Bryant two plays later for a 35 yard touchdown. Another Pittsburgh takeaway would lead to a well developed and equally deceptive 3 yard Antonio Brown TD strike to fellow receiver Lance Moore. Keisel would come up huge with a fortunate interception thanks to a heads up play from Lawrence Timmons. Keisel gave Big Ben great field position to laser in a two yard TD to Le'Veon Bell. Those 21 points and a rare but brilliant burst of Steelers' dominance would prove too much for the Houston Texans, whom never regained the lead after the onslaught.

After the game, many Pittsburgh players appeared notably relieved. Ben Roethlisberger carried a tone of relief and near disbelief while recounting the late second quarter comeback. Brett Keisel, the 36 year old veteran who was resigned (reluctantly) by the Steelers in late August, was quick to dispel the celebration and was quoted on Pittsburgh's struggles and focus after the game, "We can't just win and lose one, win and lose one...We've got to be able to have the same urgency after a win as we have after a loss." While there is a tone of relief in the 4-3 Pittsburgh locker-room, the Steelers are well aware of the trials and battles ahead. Nonetheless, a revitalizing overall performance for the Steelers will create pressure for the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-2), respectively second and first in the AFC North. Pittsburgh, currently 3rd in the division, is in a dogfight just to find their way to a playoff spot in the AFC conference. As Scott Brown alludes, despite an uphill battle, improbability can breed positive results, everything seems incredible in retrospect, and right now the Pittsburgh Steelers look back to their formidable former selves.


References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/9948/brett-keisels-key-plays-turn-j-j-watt-into-the-other-no-99-in-steelers-win

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Brett Keisel: Paula Lively

Australian Rugby Superstar Jarryd Hayne has quit the Parramatta Eels to join NFL next season

The Australian International rugby superstar Jarryd Hayne has quit the National Rugby League (NRL/ RLFC) and his team, the Parramatta Eels, in order to pursue a spot on one of the 32 NFL teams next season. Jarryd Hayne believes he has what it takes to make a formidable punt or kickoff returner and is hopeful for his upcoming NFL debut following the 2014-2015 season. NRL's Jarryd Hayne is a superstar in his own right; he received the NRL's highest award for individual performance this year, the Dally M Medal, for the second time in his career.

In fact, NFL eyes have already been on Hayne. Namely, Reggie Bush who had made favorable statements while commentating on Fox Sports Australia about the 26 years old phenom. Bush commented that Hayne could play in the NFL immediately if he ever decided to switch sports. Indeed, Bush further remarked on the physicality and explosiveness of Hayne:

"He actually looks like an NFL running back. Looks like he could come play with us tomorrow...He's fast, strong and ... wow! Look at that hit. That's an NFL football hit. I like this guy."

Hayne will not be without his fair share of competition and adversity. Statistically speaking, few have made the successful transition from Australian Rugby to the National Football League. Jesse Williams, Defensive Tackle for the Seattle Seahawks (currently on the IR), is one of the few Australian natives to make a name for himself in the NFL. However, Williams also played great smash mouth ball at college football juggernaut program, University of Alabama, and is more in tune to nuances and competitiveness of NFL play. Another Australian rugby hopeful in 2006, Willie Mason, tried out for the New York Jets to no avail. Many other notable Australian rugby players who have made the successful transition are punters in the NFL.

Nevertheless, Hayne, a 6'2" 220 pound speedster, is confident that the time is appropriate to test the waters of the NFL. To play in the NFL is one of Hayne's highest aspirations. Hayne passed up a very respectable large sum contract with the NRL's Parramatta Eels to test his abilities and fulfill his NFL dreams. Hayne's agent, Wayne Beavis, stated that Hayne's speed and power and toughness (Rugby players battle on the field with no pads and no helmets) is the perfect match for a successful NFL showing. While it will most definitely be an uphill battle for the Rugby superstar, Hayne's has the right mindset and optimism about the possibly risky transition:

"I'm so passionate about the challenge that lies ahead for me, not only as an athlete but more so as a person...It's the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. I'm leaving my teammates, friends, and most importantly my family; but for me to grow as an athlete and a person I feel this is the right step to take."

Indubitably, Jarryd Hayne and his journey into the NFL will not be without speculation and curiosity regarding what Hayne could bring to the table. For many NFL teams in need a special teams roster boost, Jarryd Hayne with his notably impressive acceleration, moxie and strength, very well could make a revitalizing addition to any NFL roster following this season. Publicity aside, Hayne could be the first great NRL showstopper to create serious waves on the grid iron in pro football.

References:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11703333/aussie-star-jarryd-hayne-ditches-rugby-chase-nfl-dream

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/10/15/hayne_announces_move_to_us.html

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Jarryd Hayne: NapaRazzi

San Francisco 49ers escape against St. Louis Rams with 31-17 win on Monday Night Football thanks to a stacked offense full of weapons like 'Mr. Dependable' Anquan Boldin

In a division billed as the toughest and best this year for the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers managed another victory on MNF to vie for NFC West superiority. The team the 49ers need to beat, the Arizona Cardinals, is still 4-1. As the 49ers picked up their fourth win of the season, the NFC West division is up for grabs and Colin Kaepernick and company are looking forward to the battle for divisional superiority that looms overhead of their season.

The 49ers showing on Monday Night Football was another offensive clinic for San Francsico's QB Colin Kaepernick. ESPN's San Francisco 49ers reporter Pault Gutierrez remarks on the numerous weapons available to Coach Jim Harbaugh on offense. The argument can be made that Kaepernick's favorite receiver is Michael Crabtree or Vernon Davis as his security Tight End or Brandon Lloyd for an explosive sideline burning of the secondary. The one receiver who has been overlooked is that of Anquan Boldin who had a monster game on Monday Night Football. Boldin would come up huge when needed, especially on a busted play-action from Kaepernick running for his life to a nice impromptu throw to Boldin for the nails in the coffin touchdown to stifle the St. Louis Rams. As Gutierrez explains, Anquan Boldin has been the most dependable back that Kaepernick has at his disposal. Boldin has statistically and repitetively been there to make huge plays when San Fran absolutely needed them most. The same was true last night as Boldin put up nearly 100 yards catching with one touchdown. In fact, the same seems to be true every time Boldin suits up against the Rams, who has a respectable 12-4 win ratio, over 1400+ yards and 6 100+ yard games (receiving) versus the Rams.

Indeed, Kaepernick himself would have a record setting game via his legs. The Kaepernick-Boldin improvised touchdown would be recorded as Colin Kaepernick's sixth NFL touchdown this season while being flushed out of the pocket, those 6 mobile touchdowns are now the NFL record this season, as Kaepernick just surpassed Andrew Luck for the bragging rights. Anquan Boldin had more to say about how well Kaepernick's elusiveness and reads have gotten as he watches this NFL superstar QB further improve and progress:

"It was a broken play...Kap made a play with his legs...Because with a mobile quarterback...things like that are going to happen. … I've seen him do it over and over...His decision-making has improved a lot...He's always been a good leader. He's always been able to make plays with his legs. But his decision-making has really grown in the last two years, the two years I've been here"

Kaepernick had equally high praise of Anquan Boldin who has been dubbed as 'Mr. Dependable' in San Francisco after Monday Night Football play. Kaepernick while regarding his broken play touchdown to Boldin gave credit where credit was due, "He came back and made a great play...He was supposed to be running the other way, saw me scramble. … I'll give Anquan a shot any day of the week." As San Francisco finds more and more playmakers on both sides of the field this season stepping up with huge plays, they will need that deadly 49er offense with 'Mr. Dependable' at the helm for San Francisco' s big challenge next week against the equally dominant Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.

References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/9998/colin-kaepernick-has-his-personal-mr-dependable-in-anquan-boldin

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/97082/top-stats-to-know-49ers-31-rams-17

Photography / Image Courtesy:

San Francisco 49ers: Michael Wifall