The Steelers really pushed the Bills around on Saturday Night.  Ben Roethlisberger started this game at QB and he completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards.  Charlie Batch followed Big Ben in this game as he was efficient also completing 7 of 9 passes for 79 yards.  Mike Reilly finished up this game completing all three of his pass attempts for 35 yards.  Rashard Mendenhall was busy in this game for the Steelers as he carried the ball 16 times for 48 yards (3.0 ypc) with a TD.  He also caught 2 passes for 16 yards in this game.  Isaac Redman also had a big workload in this game carrying the ball 13 times for 31 yards (2.4 ypc).  He also caught a pass for 19 yards.  Hines Ward was the leading receiver in this game for the Steelers catching 5 passes for 74 yards (14.8 avg).  Limas Sweed also had a decent game with 4 grabs for 34 yards (8.5 avg).  The Steelers were ball hogs in this game as they had possession of the football for a stunning 41:15 of this game while they rolled up 359 total yards (81 rushing, 278 passing).

Linebacker James Farrior led a awesome effort by the Steelers’ D with 4 tackles, a sack and a interception that he returned 22 yards for a TD.  The Bills could only muster 135 total yards of offense in this game (49 rushing, 86 passing).

The Steelers played this game without Ben Roethlisberger and it showed.  Charlie Batch was off all game completing only 5 of 14 passes for 63 yards.  Dennis Dixon had another decent outing completing 8 of 16 passes for 68 yards and rushing for 20 yards on 3 carries (6.7 ypc).  Rookie Mike Reilly finished up this game by completing 2 of 5 passes for 17 yards.  He also carried the football 2 times for 25 yards (12.5 ypc) in this game.  Rashard Mendenhall was the Steelers’ leading rusher in this game with 26 yards on 5 carries (5.2 ypc).  Willie Parker pitched in with 13 yards rushing on 4 carries (3.3 ypc) with a TD.  WR Martin Nance led the Steelers in the passing game with 2 receptions for 26 yards (13.0 avg).  The Steelers had 11 different receivers catch a pass in this game.  The Steelers only had the football for 24:32 of this game and they finished up with only 238 total yards (99 rushing, 139 passing).

Rookie DT Ziggy Hood was unstoppable for the Steelers in this game with 4 tackles and 2 sacks.  CB Keiwan Ratliff also had a outstanding game with 3 tackles and a interception.  The Redskins rushed for 167 yards on 41 carries (4.1 ypc) as the Steelers’ D seemed to wear down from being on the field so much.  But they were solid against the Redskins’ passing attack only allowing 137 yards thru the air.

The offense for the Steelers were sleepwalking for three quarters in this game as they were tied 3-3 heading into the 4th quarter.  Ben Roethlisberger completed 4 of 6 passes for 33 yards before a quick exit.  Charlie Batch even played less completing 1 of 2 passes for 45 yards.  The Steelers got a good look at #3 QB Dennis Dixon in this game as he completed 10 of 19 passes for 112 yards.  RB Isaac Rhodes was the star of this game for the Steelers rushing for 32 yards on 10 carries (3.2 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  Justin Vincent also was busy rushing for 26 yards on 9 carries (2.9 ypc).  Rashard Mendenhall looked no better than he did last season rushing for 24 yards on 9 carries (2.7 ypc).  Shaun McDonald led the way for the Steelers in this game with 69 yards receiving on 6 grabs (11.5 avg).  Limas Sweed pitched in with 2 catches for 56 yards (28.0 avg) in this game.  The Steelers have some things to work on as they only averaged 2.8 yards per carry and finished with only 288 yards of total offense.

The defense only gave up 10 points despite the Cardinals rolling up 329 yards (259 passing) of offense in this game.  CB Keiwan Ratliff led the way for the Steelers in this game with 6 tackles and a sack.  CB Roy Lewis, LB James Harrison and LB Donovan Woods each pitched in with 6 tackles apiece. 

The Steelers have signed 27-year old center Alex Stepanovich to a 1-year deal.  He played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Falcons last season.  Stepanovich has now played in 46 games (34 starts) in his 5-year NFL career.  This was a good depth signing for the Steelers.

UPDATE:  The Steelers have released Stepanovich as they like other linemen better than him.