While it wasn't the complete domination that most were expecting, the Steelers did cruise past the celler dwelling Bengals 27-10. Parts of the game showed the Steelers are not flawless, but they are indeed a force to be reckoned with, espeically if the defense continues to play the way that it is. There are no easy wins the rest of the way with five left, so winning this game was crucial. At 8-3 the Steelers are comfortable atop the AFC North, and #2 overall in the conference, but a lot of work is left to be done.
Steelers Offense
Ben Roethlisberger had his second straight solid start, and this time he was able to get his offense into the endzone. Ben again, didn't make many foolish throws, and he was lucky that the ones he did were dropped, like the TE screen to Spaeth on the first drive. The offense still looked stuck in the gate in teh first quarter, but they were able to turn it on. Roethlisberger responded the Bengals score with an efficient drive of his own. A thing that I liked is that Ben finally scrambled outside of the pocket and picked up two big gains, one going for an drive-extending first down, and another for the capping touchdown. Ben continued to find his tight end, as Heath Miller returned to the lineup and collected his second touchdown of the year. The receivers all had problems with drops, as Santanio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Nate Washington all dropped catchable balls, and almost all were crucial drops. But, Hines again rebounded when needed, making the drive-extending catches that he is known for. Holmes has a nice run after the catch on a slant which set up the Steelers second touchdown. The running game had a hard time getting going in the first half, Willie Parker inparticular. Parker pulled up lame on a run, and did not return to the game. He simply cannot stay healthy this year, and the Steelers are coming into games where they are going to need Parker. Gary Russel again converted a short yardages situation, a key early 4th and 1, and collected his first touchdown of his career. Melwelde Moore rebounded from a so-so showing in the last couple of games, and was able to collect some nice runs on a wore down Bengals defense. Carey Davis even came close to breaking one loose on a fullback handoff. The offensive line again kept Ben clean against the Bengals, so that is always a plus no matter who is the opponent. They struggled in run blocking early, but just like in the previous weeks, seemed to get stronger as the game went along.
Steelers Defense
The Number 1 defense responded like a Number 1 defense should. The Bengals marched on them to begin the game, and they made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like Peyton Manning. But, the defense rebounded, and shut the Bengals down the rest of the way. Aaron Smith is kind of like Jack Ham, he is constantly undervalued for how good he really is. Three bat downs tonight, one that should have resulted in an interception for James Farrior. Farrior though had a fine game, and he stuffed Chris Perry on a key early 3rd and 1. James Harrison didn't have the type of eye popping game this time around, but the Bengals were constantly aware of his presence, allowing other blitzers to come free and pressure Fitzpatrick. They were only able to collect one sack against the Bengals, which is a bit disappointing, but they did pressure Fitzpatrick into some bad throws. LaMarr Woodley collected a 1/2 of a sack, giving him 10 on the year. Troy Polamalu again made the plays he is famous for, and this time a game ending turnover was not taken away from him, as he intercepted the final pass, and you could tell how bad he wanted to get it to the endzone. Fernando Bryant was beaten twice early, including the Bengals lone TD. But the secondary play was again fine, and William #### played a strong game. Brett Keisel left the game and did not return, another player the Steelers are going to need with the final stretch they are hitting. Luckily, they do have a week plus to rest up. The defense seems fine to carry the load until they receive help from the offense, and I think that is a excellent thing that you have a defense that is willing to accept that and thrive upon the pressure.
Steelers Special Teams
Jeff Reed made both of his field goal attempts, the second one a very tough 37-yarder with the snow falling and towards the open end of the stadium. I hope Paul Ernster enjoyed this game, because it will be his last with the team. He was awful today. No excuse for how many balls he punted short. Limas Sweed was bailed out by the defense after he nearly cost the Steelers after touching a punt that was recovered by the Steelers. Why was he even in on punt coverage anyway? Gary Russel seems to be the Steelers designated man at kickoffs, as he had the season first of actually returning a ball past the 40.
Steelers Coaching
Really had no qualms with Bruce Ariens play calling today, thought the offense was nicely balanced. But, he has to find a way for the offense not to sputter for periods like it has the tendacy to do. #### LeBeau was rightly honored tonight before the game for his contributions over 50 years playing and coaching in the NFL. He is simply the man, and he might have his best unit ever doing their very best right now. I like the gamble Tomlin took early on the 4th and 1, big momentum swing which lead to a touchdown. Especially big considering how poorly the Steelers have been doing in short yardage situations recently.
While the Steelers weren't spectacular tonight, they did more than enough to win. They won the way good teams should win: put away an inferior opponent and not let them hang around.
Buckles,
Again the Steelers got the job done against a divisional opponent.............They now need to go at least 3-2 to assure a play-off spot. It will be tough to get a wild card spot if they don't win the division.
Ariens play calling wasn't in the spot light this week.............Then again it wasn't really needed.
When he has been tested this year he has failed miserably.
Good win, 4-0 in the AFC North!.........Go Steelers!
Nicely done Buckles, as usual. From what I saw, the field was Parker's enemy....he couldn't gain enough footing for some reason to make his usual cuts and so on, field was not in the best of shape and the Bengals were on to him this time. Thank God we have Moore...he and Russell have to stay healthy for the run to the SB. Think Ben played one whopper o####ame. EQ...hi.
jon 464- I think people expected a game where they would stomp the Bengals without question. The Bengals gave a good fight, but the Steelers are just better in all areas. Long and the short of it. I never thought we were in danger, and once we took the lead, I knew they weren't giving it back.
3-2 is going to be tough, those last five games, except for the Brownies are no sloches anywhere. If we don't beat the Pats now, I don't know when we ever will. I still think the division is ours to lose, as the only competition is the severely overrated Ravens.
We will see the rest of the way with Ariens. Haven't had any big problems the last few weeks. Perfect in the division yet again, gotta finish though in Baltimore this year.
fuzz- Thanks. Read today that Willie was pulled because he was ineffective, not injured like I thought. That is kind of interesting. Hopefully that isn't a long term demotion.
Limas Sweed made an excellent 3rd down catch on the last drive to make up for the punt return gaffe.
It doesn't look to me like Parker will be healthy for the rest of the year. Hopefully they can at least put in a rotation scenario to get him at least 7-8 touches a game. The quick screens with Moore are starting to work as a brillant counter-punch to the outside blitz. Probably need to get Russell more involved now and use Davis, too. Run blocking is what it is at this point. Not much they can do with a zone attack. Pass blocking has improved, but only if Washington, Holmes and Ward stop dropping passes on the hots. Heath is the huge key for this - he blows the middle of the field wide open.
Only improvement I see to the defense is to keep them healthy and get McFadden, Townsend and, hopefully, Kiesel back. They are fairly deep now in all areas. Kick coverage has been the biggest improvement this year and Russell is a wedge blocker's dream - runs straight ahead.
LeBeau has to be the perfect defensive coach for a 3-4 scheme. BA was very good in the 2nd half, still want to see one series a half as no-huddle. It is a great-counterpunch to defenses like NE, Baltimore and Tennessee and they need to practice it.
Yes, Ben running again is crucial. I still say the naked bootleg is a viable option down near the goal-line. If he can't make it - there is no intentional grounding outside the pocket.
great rundown buckles. I see Ben as having more and more confidence and less desperation in his play.
Parker is dissapointign, but so is most of our offfensive play this year. Nice to finally se a Screen pass excecuted properly.
Ariens seems to have found a clue, and maybe he will roll with it.
also would like to see more of Mywelder Moore in teh pass game, maybe with a 4 reciever set and Moore in the slot?
Limas Sweed did show signs of improvement in the receiving game. Remember, it did take Santanio Holmes pretty much all of his rookie season to get things going. And he might be pressed into more duty with Holmes's concussion.
Parker will need to contribute in some way the rest of the way, if anything just to make opposing teams gameplan for him. Like Moore out of the backfield, he is reliable and always seem to make a big gain.
Agree on the receivers, they have to start catching more balls. Especially the deep ball to Santanio.
The defense just needs to get a bit healthier, and they will be good.
Ben moving around more is a very good sign. I think if he does become more mobile, he only helps himself out more.
I am 21 year old college junior who attends Waynesburg University(ye s we are moving up in the world). I am from Rochester, PA and still live there. I am a die hard Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan and . In terms of college teams I like Penn St. and Pitt, a mortal sin to some but I like both, deal with it.
