Half a season is over and the Pittsburgh Steelers are just getting into the meat of their season, the title for AFC North. The Steelers are now 2-0 in division play, defeating the Cleveland Browns in Sept, Cincinnati 24-13 Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati now 2-5 (and the cellar dweller) was a team the Steelers were suppose to beat. The Bengals have a high powered offense lead by QB Carson Palmer and WRs Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh, but the missing link to that offense was WR Chris Henry. Henry can spread the field and with the other two double teamed, he always managed to be open downfield and burn our secondary. Henry will be active for Dec 2nd.
The Steelers looked solid offensively executing a balance attack 50-50 passing and rushing. Fast Willie chalked up another 100+ yard day and I TD while Hines Ward collected 2 TDs and 88 yards receiving. Hines needs three more TDs to past former Steeler WR John Stallworth’s record for the most TDs by a Steeler WR. FB Dan Kreider sprained his ankle early in the first quarter (that’s because he hasn’t had many reps this season). When last reported, the ankle is better than anticipated and he may play against Baltimore.
The defense did have a stellar day, allowing 1 TD (2 field goals) and holding RB Kenny Watson to 88 yards rushing. They continue to disallow a 100 yard rusher against this defense. Tomlin and LeBeau coached the defense to understand that the Bengals offense would be gaining some ground in the passing game but were to hold them to no more than a field goal. My concerns in the future stem from the running game. Although Denver’s Travis Henry got 51 yards, Kenny Watson rushed for 88. The missing link is DE Aaron Smith (knee), one of the best run-stuffers in the NFL. It was last reported that the knee will be taped up for practice. He has progressed in his rehab and may be able to play against Baltimore.
Cause for concern…(yep, I can’t believe it either) special teams. Cincinnati’s WR/return man Glenn Holt returned kicks of 42, 34 and 33 yards.
Whatever is going on or not going on with special teams needs corrected. We can’t go back.
Note….The Steelers will have a final meeting with the Bengals at home Dec 2. 2005 & 2006 the Steelers won at Paul Brown and lost at Heinz Field.
Monday night, the Steeler vs the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. The Ravens are coming off a bye and tied with the Cleveland Browns (4-3) and 0-2 in division play with a loss to Cincinnati and Cleveland. The Ravens offense is anemic. They have managed 3 TDs in the last 3 games (5 all season). Against the Buffalo Bills week before last, the Ravens scored 14 points against a defense that allowed an average 23 points per game. QB Steve McNair has been in and out of the offense due to injuries to his back and groin and is listed as probable for Monday night’s game. The Ravens offense average 18 points per game and have been plagued with penalties, 57 for 438 yards to the Steelers 31 for 226 yards. The receivers have been ineffective. Using their West Coast style offense, the Ravens receivers are subjected to being tackled after a catch limiting the ability to move the chains or lengthening the field on 3rd and long situations. Other injuries include: McNair’s go-to-guy WR Derrick Mason questionable and WR Mark Clayton still battling leg injuries and long with TE Todd Heap. Our Steeler corners will need to keep an eye out for WR Demetrius Williams can go deep. RB Willis McGahee (formerly of the Buffalo Bills) was added to improve the running game and averages 4 yards per carry and has 2 TDs to his credit. RB Musa Smith and Mike Anderson have been used sparingly thus far this season.
The Ravens D is not as scary as they use to be, but they still have their key components. Thus far, the Ravens D has 10 INTs to their credit, 4 to FS Ed Reed alone. He is the one to watch out for. He is an all-purpose, multi-faceted and dangerous. Although Joey Porter is no longer a Steeler, there is still no love lost between these two teams. LB Ray Lewis will have his game face on. The Ravens are 3-0 at home and the Steelers 2-2 on the road. The last two meetings 2006, the Steelers lost 27-0 in Baltimore and 31-7 in Pittsburgh. There is an axe to grind here, so Let’s Go Steelers.
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