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.