The Steelers didn’t need a cheap shot to end the Bengals season this year.  Ben Roethlisberger completed 19 of 28 passes for 280 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.  Willie Parker was very busy with 37 carries for 134 yards (3.6 ypc) and 2 TDs.  Hines Ward had a solid game with 5 catches for 51 yards and he carried the ball twice for 30 yards.  Santonio Holmes had a great game catching 4 passes for 124 yards and a TD (the gamewinner in OT)!

The defense stuffed the Bengals running game, holding them to 44 yards on 16 carries (2.8 ypc).  The Bengals completed 20 of 38 passes for 251 net yards passing on the day.

The Steelers had a chance to make the playoffs before the Ravens abused them 31-7 at Heinz Field last week.  The Bengals have lost 2 games in a row including the heart wrencher in Denver that could cost them a chance at the playoffs.

Look for the Steelers to get back to the basics on offense against the Bengals this week.  Willie Parker (1,360 yards rushing) should get alot of work against a Bengals defense that has allowed 110.4 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry.  The Bengals haven’t played well against the pass either as they allow 236.2 net yards passing per game this season.  Look for Ben Roethlisberger to have a decent game as long as he has time to throw the football.

The Bengals will run the ball to keep the Steelers defense honest with Rudi Johnson (1,262 yards rushing) but they will be throwing the ball alot.  Carson Palmer (3,784 yards passing) will attempt to be the first Bengals QB in history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season.  The Steelers have allowed 209.5 net yards passing so far this season, so Chad Johnson (83 rec, 1,316 yards), TJ Houshmandzadeh (86 rec, 1,037 yards) and Chris Henry should all get their yards.

This should be a good football game.  The Bengals won the first meeting 28-20 in Pittsburgh.  The Bengals need to win the game and get help to get into the playoffs, while the Steelers should give a great effort in what could be Bill Cowher’s swan song as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers proved without a doubt yesterday that they don’t belong on the same field with the Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens swept the two games against the Steelers by a combined score of 58-7 this season!  Ben Roethlisberger was under siege again every time he dropped back to pass as the Ravens sacked him 5 times.  Roethlisberger only completed 15 of 31 passes for 156 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.  Charlie Batch relieved Roethlisberger in this game and he didn’t play very well either hitting only 4 of 11 passes for 49 yards.  Willie Parker got stuffed all day long as he would up with 13 carries for 29 yards (2.2 ypc).  Santonio Holmes had a good game with 5 receptions for 90 yards.   Hines Ward also had a busy day with 8 catches for 79 yards.  Heath Miller added 3 catches for 12 yards and a TD.

The Steelers defense got pushed around again by the Ravens offense.  The Ravens ran the ball 33 times for 103 yards (3.1 ypc).  The Ravens completed 21 of 31 passes for 256 net yards passing.

The Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs with this beating they took.  This game ruined alot of people’s Christmas in Pittsburgh.

Starting right offensive tackle Max Starks had arthoscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and will likely miss the remainder of the season.  Trai Essex or Willie Colon will start in his place this Sunday against the Ravens.  At least it’s the right tackle so Ben can see the Ravens’ defenders coming.

The Panthers really never had a shot in this game.  The Steelers played great defense and ran the ball well just like they did when they won the Super Bowl.  Ben Roethlisberger completed 11 of 18 passes for 140 yards and a TD.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 12 yards (2.4 ypc) and a TD.  Willie Parker had another great game as he carried the ball 23 times for 132 yards (5.7 ypc) and a TD.  Najeh Davenport had a very rough game as he carried the ball 11 times for 14 yards (1.3 ypc) and he caught 2 passes for 31 yards and a TD.  Hines Ward caught 4 passes for 59 yards.

Santonio Holmes actually caught a punt…and he returned it 65 yards for a TD.

James Farrior led the defense with 8 tackles and a sack.  Rookie safety Anthony Smith was very active with 3 tackles, a sack and an interception.  The Steelers held the Panthers to 43 yards rushing on 11 carries (3.9 ypc).  The Panthers completed 24 of 39 passes for 197 net yards passing.

The Steelers totally dominated this game and they controlled the ball for 37:13 of the game.  They improved to 7-7 on the season and kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

The Steelers have won 2 games in a row and outscored their opponents 47-10 in those wins.  The Panthers have lost 3 games in a row.

The Steelers would love to just handoff the ball to Willie Parker like they did last week, but he’s only averaged 45.8 yards rushing per game on the road.  The Steelers need Parker to play well to help slow the Panthers pass rush led by Julius Peppers who has 11 sacks so far this season.  The Panthers have alot of injuries to deal with in their secondary so Roethlisberger could have success if the line gives him time to throw.  Hines Ward and Cedric Wilson are expected back, but it looks like Santonio Holmes will be starting opposite of Ward.  It would also be smart for the Steelers to use Heath Miller a little bit over the middle.

The Panthers would love to run the football against the Steelers.  It sounds like that might be a tough task, but the Steelers allow 116 yards rushing per game on the road.  Look for DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams to be able to find some running room.  The Steelers are a good pass-rushing team, but if the Panthers pick up the blitz the Steelers will be in big trouble.  Steve Smith (71 rec, 1,025 yards) is so much better than any Steeler DB that they will have to double team him or they will watch him dancing in the end zone.  If they double him, Keyshawn Johnson (62 rec, 725 yards) will make them pay on the short stuff.  It’s looking as if Chris Weinke will be starting again and he must protect the football to give his team a chance to win.

This game could literally go either way.  The Steelers are 1-5 on the road and have really looked pathetic away from home.  But, the Panthers are started Chris Weinke at QB and he looked awful last week. 

The Steelers linebackers are what really makes their defense click.  The inside is manned by James Farrior and Larry Foote, while Joey Porter and Clark Haggans cover the edges.  James Farrior has 104 tackles, 3 sacks, an interception, forced 2 fumbles and has defensed 6 passes.  His partner in crime Larry Foote has 76 tackles, 3 sacks, an interception, 3 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles.  Joey Porter has played pretty well when he’s not busy running his mouth.  Porter has 46 tackles, 7 sacks, 5 passes defensed and 2 interceptions (one returned for a TD).  Clark Haggans is quietly having a real good season with 69 tackles, 5.5 sacks, an interception, 3 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles.

The Browns never had a chance against the Steelers last night.  The Steelers rolled up 528 total yards and held the football for 38:47 of the football game.  Ben Roethlisberger completed 11 of 21 passes for 225 yards and a TD.  Willie Parker was amazing as he set an all-time Steelers record for rushing in a game with 223 yards on 32 carries (7.0 ypc) and a TD.  Najeh Devenport then came in to finish up and carried the ball 14 times for 62 yards (4.4 ypc).  Santonio Holmes (4 rec, 81 yards) and Nate Washington (2 rec, 67 yards, TD) played well as the Steelers didn’t really miss Ward and Wilson.

The Steelers defense really stuffed the Browns running game, as they held them to 18 yards rushing on 11 carries (1.6 ypc).  The Browns did complete 21 of 37 passes for 276 net yards passing, but alot of the passes were short shots.

The Steelers won their second game in a row and still have a slim chance of returning to the playoffs, but they will need alot of luck.

With the injuries to Cedrick Wilson and Hines Ward, Holmes will get the chance to really show what he’s got.  Holmes is blazing fast, but it seems like he has lacked concentration and courage so far.  He has played in all 12 games this season and has caught 33 passes for 504 yards (15.3 avg) and a TD.  Holmes has one carry for 13 yards and the Steelers might want to get back to some trick plays, which have been missing from their playbook so far this season.  Holmes also has gotten chances to return kicks and punts, but he’s had problems catching them and he has fumbled away a few kicks.  Holmes has returned 16 kick-offs for 390 yards (24.4 avg).  Santonio also returned 19 punts for 149 yards (7.8 avg).

The talent is there, it’s just time for Holmes to step up his play.