PITTSBURGH – If anyone can provide some perspective for the Seattle Seahawks as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers at Heinz Field this morning, it’s tight end Zach Miller.
While with Oakland, Miller played back-to-back years at Pittsburgh. The Raiders got pounded there last year, 35-3, but in 2009, Oakland shocked the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 27-24.
So what was the key?
“Well obviously it’s a loud stadium and the crowd gets into it, so they’ve got a good home advantage there,” Miller said. “There’s a little bit of that Steelers mystique, where obviously they have a tradition and all of that of playing physical football. But you can win there. You’ve just got to play good football and not turn the ball over.
“And match their intensity that they come out with. Because they are going to come out hyped; they’re going to come out ready to go. And you have to match that, and then get into your game as the game goes on.”
The Steelers are considered the gold standard when it comes to NFL franchises. They are owned and run by the Rooney family, well respected in NFL circles. They have a tradition of playing tough, hard-nosed, winning football – a style that matches the blue-collar feel of the people who live here.
But let’s face it – the Steelers don’t lose often at home.
Pittsburgh owns the best home record in the NFL since 1970 with a 227-88-1 mark (71.8 percent), including 58-21-1 (72.5 percent) at Heinz Field, which opened in 2001.
The Steelers have won their past eight home openers, the second-best current streak in the league, and are 6-0 at Heinz Field in September under coach Mike Tomlin.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are 1-10 in games on the East Coast since 2007.
“They have a lot of great chemistry on that team,” said Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods, who spent most of last season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. “That’s one of the reasons why they’re so successful, is because guys know how to play off of each other. But I think if we just go in there and play our game and do what we’re supposed to do, we should be fine.”
The Steelers have the most Super Bowl wins (six), and the have the fourth most members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including players such as defensive lineman “Mean” Joe Greene, receiver Lynn Swan, cornerback Mel Blount, quarterback Terry Bradshaw and defensive back Rod Woodson.
And the oddsmakers are very aware of those numbers, making Seattle a 141/2-point underdog for today’s game, the largest point spread making Seattle the underdog in 20 years.
According to Bodog.com, the Seahawks are 8-15 against the point spread when at least a 10-point underdog. Even more jaw-dropping, Seattle is 0-23 straight up in those contests, having never won a regular-season game when it was at least a 10-point underdog.
Predictably, coach Pete Carroll said he hasn’t paid attention to the national consensus that his team will get drilled today.
“It doesn’t matter,” Carroll said. “The points and that stuff, it doesn’t mean anything, personally. We’d never even think about talking about it (as motivation). That’s not necessary.”
Carroll knows he can win in Pittsburgh, because he’s experienced it. He is 1-1 against the Steelers, winning at Pittsburgh as New England’s coach in 1998, and losing at home in 1997.
“(The fans) love their team with a deep connection, and (the players) show it when they play,” Carroll said. “So it’s an exciting place. It’s a great venue to go into. It’s like going into Chicago at playoff time. Those things are awesome for our team. We need to learn how to do it. There will be some young guys who will grow from that experience, and we need to go in there and excel too, and do well.”
And the Seahawks, too, know they can win as heavy underdogs. They accomplished it nine months ago after becoming the first team to advance to the playoffs with a losing record (7-9) when they defeated New Orleans, 41-36, in the NFC wild-card game at home as an 11-point underdog.
“We’re not looking at that,” said Seattle defensive end Raheem Brock said. “I think we pretty much take pride in our defense. And we’re not looking at any mystique in whoever we’re playing against. We’re going to go out there and do what we do for 60 minutes, regardless of who it is.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE (0-1) AT PITTSBURGH (0-1)
Kickoff: 10 a.m., Heinz Field
TV: Ch. 13. Radio: 710-AM, 97.3-FM.
The series: Seattle holds an 8-7 regular-season edge over the Steelers, but lost the most recent contest, a 21-0 setback in Pittsburgh on Oct. 7, 2007. Seattle is 2-7 in Pittsburgh. The Seahawks have won four of the past six regular-season games against the Steelers.
What to watch: Seattle’s Robert Gallery (knee) is expected to play for the first time this season, starting at left guard. With Gallery returning, rookie James Carpenter will move back to right tackle. Receiver Sidney Rice (shoulder) is still a week away from playing and has been ruled out for today’s game. Fullback Michael Robinson (knee), cornerback Byron Maxwell (knee), tackle Jarriel King (ankle) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) also will not play. … The Seahawks placed defensive end Dexter Davis (hip) on the season-ending injured reserve list and re-signed cornerback Kennard Cox on Saturday. With depth concerns on special teams, Cox should be active and play a major role in shoring up Seattle’s issues there.
TNT pick: Steelers, 28-13.
PRIME NUMBERS
SEATTLE
No. Name (position) HeightWeightYear
17 Tarvaris Jackson (QB) 6-2225Sixth
Pittsburgh’s blitzing defense will provide Jackson chances to make big plays.
86 Zach Miller (TE) 6-5255Fifth
He’s played here two of the past three seasons as a member of the Raiders, so Seahawks should lean on his experience.
76 Russell Okung (OT) 6-5310Second
Healthy now, he should play better with veteran Robert Gallery next to him.
57 David Hawthorne (LB) 6-0246Fourth
Hawthorne’s return to the starting lineup should be a boost to the defense.
PITTSBURGH
No. Name (position) HeightWeightYear
77 Marcus Gilbert (OT) 6-6330Second
He gets his first start at right tackle with Willie Colon out for the season. Seahawks will test him.
84 Antonio Brown (WR) 5-10186Second
The speedster can’t wait to return kicks and punts against Seattle’s suspect special teams.
98 Casey Hampton (NT) 6-132511th
He sets the tone up front, with Steelers looking to play better against the run.
43 Troy Polamalu (SS) 5-10207Ninth
At 30 years old, former USC star remains one of the best safeties.
Eric D. Williams, staff writer
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