NFL Week 11 Lead Pipe Lock Pick

Steelers (-9.5) over the Jets

Let's see, the Jets are awful against the run and Pittsburg loves to run the ball, even with Big Ben airing the ball out more this season.  This game has blowout written all over it.   

So Jet's fans, how's that Thomas Jones trade working out for you?  Not that we in Chicago have much to brag about, but the consensus opinion at the time of the trade was that the Jets got a steal.   While Cedric Enis, er Benson, is plodding away at 3 yards per carry, Thomas Jones isn't exactly lighting it up either (when he's not hampered by injuries).

If there's one thing we know post-trade, it's that the Bears offensive line was suspect/borderline shitty last season too.  Their inability to open solid running lanes was masked by the cut-back running style of Thomas Jones.  When Jones took the hand-off from Grossman and realized his blockers hadn't cleared any space, he was able to manufacture extra yardage.  Even then, he still danced around the backfield too often and was never able to break off any long runs.

So it should be no surprise that Benson is struggling.  He is strictly a straight-ahead, power runner; if the hole isn't open, he's not going anywhere.  I've seen better run blocking from plastic lineman on an electric football table than what the Bears have shown this year.

Now both of these running backs, in the right offensive system, still have time to be successful.  So Bears GM Jerry Angelo must bear some responsibility for assembling such a dysfunctional offensive roster.  But an anti-Angelo tirade at this point would take weeks to compose.

How's that for some quality Steelers/Jets match-up analysis?

Overall Season Record: 4-6