Duel in D.C.

Monday Night Showdown when Pittsburgh goes to Washington

To have true success in the NFL you have to have a short memory. Like forgeting I have written that before for example and pretending it is a new profound thought. Seriously though, the Steelers need to put the loss to New York in their rearview mirror.

Hopefully last Monday when they saw the game film they took a good hard look at what they need to address in order to be triumphant over the Wahington Redskins. Lest we not forget the Redskins are yet another strong NFC East team who has improved off of their playoff season from a year ago.

In preparing for the Steelers one may wonder what or if former Steelers wide out Antwaan Randle-El can offer the Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache any "inside" information about the Steelers offense. I'm sure he will share whatever he remembers but it is often a practice in the NFL to change up terminology and the look of your schemes. So most likely this will not give the Redskins any revelations.

That said however the Washington Redskins offense has been pretty solid. With running back Clinton Portis carrying the bulk of the rushing load, the Redskins are #2 in the league at running the football. So for the second week in a row the Steelers will have to pull the Steel Curtain across the line of scrimmage and continue to foil Washington's plans to run the ball. The Steelers are allowing 71 yards per game in rushing yards where they are now ranked #3 in the league in that category. I am confident they will.

I am concerned with Ryan Clark's injury that kept him out of practice today (Weds 10/29). He is an integral part of run support. But until proven otherwise I am convinced that the Steelers have proven time and again they know how to stop the run.

In the air Washington QB Jason Campbell is looking better each week. This his 4th year off of his undeafeted season at Auburn and he is learning a new system for the 4th time. So while the stats are very modest to middle of the pack, the Redskins have an air attack. Presently ranked 18th in the league, Campbell has speedster Santana Moss, and crafty Randle-El as quality #1 and #2 receiver tandem. Campbell is a QB that can make all the throws also. So it is imperative that the Steelers sack battalion re-gains its presence and lands Campbell on his back side at least 3 times and plenty of hurries/hits.

Santana Moss is also a legitimate return threat. Fortunately he is not used as often in the return game. So what factor that is a mystery.

Offensively I am not happy with the overall formula. I hear Bruce Arians get the accolade's for his offensive mind and it is reported that Ben Roethlisberger has assumed more and more input in the offense. However I am not impressed with the comprehensive application of the offense. They have managed their ability to run despite the loss of their top gunslinger Willie Parker but everything else is streaking and has random results. Even running the ball they are ranked an un-Pittsburgh like 18th in the league.

It looks to me like the offense is in the old "throw spaghetti on the wall and see if it sticks" method at times to me. There are moments when Ben gets in a groove with his play calling and there are occasions where Arians calls the perfect play against the match-up he wanted. However they look very mediocre and often lethargic. And it is not always the maligned offensive line. I have seen Ben and the receivers on a different page at times and Ben has cornered himself into being hit and/or sacked way to often.

Hopefully the return of apologetic "puffy" Holmes will help the pallid offense and give it a defibrillator shot to the heart. Both teams average about the same amount of points per game. Pittsburgh holding a slight advantage at 22.1 points to the Redskins 20.6. Not good is the fact that Washington has an under rated defense. They are ranked #6 overall. And the 'Skins are at home.

So it pains me to say this but I see the Redskins delivering a win over Pittsburgh at FedEx Field. That will be 0 and 3 verses the NFC East. To which I want to clearly state I picked them to beat Philadelphia and New York. But when I do these pre-views I try and give my unbiased opinion. So by factoring in momentum or lack there of, state of personnel, location of game and strength of opponent and so on, I frankly am seeing another grueling grind 'em out day where the offense is going to lay an egg when it is all said and done.

Once again I will gladly eat crow if I am wrong. Let's hope I am dead wrong on this one.

Key Headlines out of Pittsburgh

• Holmes to return to Steelers' lineup vs. Redskins
  10/28/2008 - The Pittsburgh Steelers won't further punish wide receiver Santonio Holmes for being charged last week with a marijuana-related offense and plan to start him Monday night in Washington.
  
• New long snapper
  10/28/2008 - The Steelers added a new long snapper to their roster when they signed first-year player Jared Retkofsky to a one-year deal on Tuesday.

> For great Pittsburgh Steelers apparel & jerseys online look to Pro Football Fans and check out the 2008 NFL scores!

 

Injury status as of Weds 10/29

STEELERS

• Ryan Clark S Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice
• Keyaron Fox LB Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice
• Casey Hampton DT Toe Did Not Participate In Practice
• Bryant McFadden CB Forearm Did Not Participate In Practice
• Ben Roethlisberger QB Right Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice
• Marvel Smith T Back Did Not Participate In Practice
• Deshea Townsend CB Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice
• Hines Ward WR Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice
• LaMarr Woodley LB Calf Did Not Participate In Practice
• Willie Parker RB Knee Full Participation in Practice

REDSKINS

• Rock Cartwright RB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice
• Malcolm Kelly WR Knee Did Not Participate In Practice
• Pete Kendall G Knee Did Not Participate In Practice
• LaRon Landry S Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice
• Santana Moss WR Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice
• Clinton Portis RB Ankle Did Not Participate In Practice
• Carlos Rogers CB Calf Did Not Participate In Practice
• Shawn Springs CB Calf Did Not Participate In Practice
• Chris Horton S Ankle Full Participation in Practice
• Fred Smoot CB Groin Full Participation in Practice
• Marcus Washington LB Hip Full Participation in Practice
• Lorenzo Alexander DT Toe Limited Participation in Practice
• Cornelius Griffin DT Shoulder Limited Participation in Practice
• Chris Samuels T Knee Limited Participation in Practice
• Ladell Betts RB Knee Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
• Jason Taylor DE Calf Out (Definitely Will Not Play)

By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent