Mud Bowl

Why is it that everytime the Steelers meet with the Dolphins it rains. Big Ben’s first game in 2004 came in place of the injured Tommy Maddox against the Dolphins. Remember there was a hurricane. 2005 preseason game at Heinz Field, there was torrential rains. Regardless of the rains, this was one mess of a game to win 3-0.

Oh I know many will say to me, “you try playing a game in the rain and mud and see if you can do better.” These are professional football players who looked at the beginning of the season as a playoff contender. The last three weeks it seems the “playoff contender” looks not better than the bottom feeders of the NFL. Miami became another tough opponent for the Steelers who should have made mincemeat out of them. Certainly the weather was a factor and only a factor.

What is going on with Ben Roethlisberger? He is suppose to be in the best shape of his football career. He is healthy considering all he went through last year. He has been given more responsibilities and yet he performs as a rookie. In fact the rookies look better and perform better than Ben has since the first game of the season against Cleveland. Multiple sacks per game, many hurried situations are not just the doings of an inconsistent offensive line. Ben is holding onto the ball too long. Receivers are not getting open. It can’t be that losing teams have such great defenses. Come on, Joey Porter had his best game as a Miami Dolphin against his old team.

The defense did everything they could to keep the offense in games and thank God for that, because it took to the fourth quarter to finally get something going. (sigh)

The Steelers next opponent is a second go-round with division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals and they will be looking for revenge. Cincinnati is coming off a big win against the Titans. Without DT Albert Haynesworth, the Titans were pummeled by the Bengals running game. RB Rudy Johnson, returning from injury had his best day this season. Hopefully, the D line will not allow another 100 yard rusher (as they did against Thomas Jones and the Jets). In the last meeting, the Steelers defeated the Bengals 24-13 without Chris Henry. Henry is back after an 8 game suspension and will change the complexion of the game. With Henry in the line up-Palmer will be able to spread the field more-opening opportunities for CJ and TJ. It is Henry who is the danger. He has beaten the Steelers before.

Sept, 2006, the Bengals defeated the Steelers 28-20 with Henry’s 5 receptions for 69 yards and 2 TDs and Houshmandzedah with 94 yards receiving and 2 TDs. Dec 31, the Steelers won 23-17 with Henry receiving 124 yards and 1 TD.

This game is a must-win to keep ahead of the division. The Bengals who like nothing more than to unseat the Steelers and play the spoiler. There is no love-lost between these two teams and the Steelers must go into crisis mode. The Steelers must pound the rock with Willie and Najeh. The running game has been subpar (Willie cranked out 81 yards against the Dolphins) at best. The o-line has to do a better job at protecting the pass and establishing the run. Ben has to get rid of the ball quicker to his receivers and the receivers to catch them. Special teams’ has to be special and the defense to defend.

Weather is expected to be about the same as Monday-rain. Hopefully, we will not find ourselves sitting on the edge of our seats through the 4^th quarter hoping for a win.

Come On Steelers-Lets get it Done.