On The Road Again
Steelers travel to Cincinnati looking to extend AFC North lead
Welcome back to work our black and yellow friends! We missed you. Too help ease your way back into the grind we are sending you to Cincinnati for a tune-up.
Pre-view time. Let ’ s check the aches and pains list right of the bat.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS ― Thursday Oct 16 status
STEELERS : DNP: WR Dallas Baker (shoulder), RB Carey Davis (ankle), LB Keyaron Fox (hamstring), DT Casey Hampton (groin), RB Willie Parker (knee), T Marvel Smith (back), WR Hines Ward (not injury related).
BENGALS : OUT: C Kyle Cook (toe), LB Corey Mays (ankle), QB Carson Palmer (right elbow). DNP: CB Jamar Fletcher (hamstring), K Shayne Graham (right groin), WR Glenn Holt (ankle), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ankle), LB Dhani Jones (foot), S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), T Levi Jones (back), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle), RB Chris Perry (shoulder), TE Ben Utecht (chest). FULL: DT John Thornton(achilles)
Let’s face it, the Bengals have looked outright putrid. Head Coach Marvin Lewis came to Cincinnati with a plan and in the beginning enough players were buying into the plan. Some where around 2006 though he lost the team. Once he pussy footed around when the trouble makers on the team kept having off the field issues, the patients started running the asylum.
So why you can never assume anything in this league, especially after you witness games like the ones from the previous week, Pittsburgh fans can look forward to this game in Cincinnati with a reasonable amount of confidence. Add the fact that Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers have had a ton of success in Ohio.
I expect Pittsburgh to build off of what they were able to do in Jacksonville the game before heading into the bye week. Even if Willie Parker sees limited action against the Bengals, I expect them to establish the run early. And I also foresee Ben letting loose a bit. Hopefully rookie wide out Limas Sweed will see the field for once. It would be nice to see Ben Roethlisberger have a week with very little pounding from a defense. Which would be twice as nice since he is coming off a bye week.
The Steelers defense should have a field day. If indeed Bengal QB Carson Palmer sits out with his elbow problem, that pretty much neuters their offense. Palmer ’ s back up is a 4th year QB out of Harvard, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Which I am not sure if he was drafted because he is a good QB or because he went to law school. That would make him popular in the locker room.
On paper though the Bengals do have some talented players on offense. Nonetheless defense is the heart and soul of the Steelers and even a top ranked offense full of All-Pros would have a tough time scoring against Pittsburgh.
The betting guru’s have the Steelers as a 9.5 to 10 point prohibitive favorite even with the game in Cincinnati. If you buy into the division rival factor and the any given Sunday theory you do have to say that 10 points is large. But the Bengals are that bad...again.
I am looking for a solid 24 to 6 Pittsburgh win.
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Some of the headline news from your Official Pittsburgh Steelers web site.
Keisel happy to be back on the field - Brett Keisel is excited about playing again and said “it feels good. I love being with my brothers out there.” Your fans are feeling good about that too brother!
Sweed could see first game action on Sunday - With Dallas Baker sitting on Sunday, Limas Sweed is going to get some action. And considering he was a some what touted rookie it will be a good chance for the young tall wide out. Ben Roethlisberger had the following to say about it. ”It’s hard because he doesn’t get a lot of work in practice with me because I’ve got to work with the other guys. He’s come a long way and he’s really stepped up and I’m sure if he gets a chance, he’ll do just great.”
I WOULD LIKE TO SEND A LITTLE LOVE TO THE NL PENNANT WINNING PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES!
By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent