The Steelers ran out to a comfortable lead against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night and this time they held onto it (unlike last year)…  Barely!!!  Steelers win 27-21 on a defensive stop on 4^th down, as the Bengals were 12 yards from taking the lead with only seconds left.

 The victory lifted the Steelers’ record to 6-2 and back into a first-place tie in the AFC North with the Ravens.

“We won.  I don’t care how close the game was.  We won, we won the game.  We had to stand up on defense and that’s what we did.”– CB Ike Taylor, who had two pass interference penalties but broke up the final Bungal pass at the Steelers’ 2.

Ike is right, we won the game and that’s the main goal… But we got much to work on to be elite…   The Steelers should have been running the clock in the 4^thbut instead some ill-advised throwing and penalties almost resulted in blowing a 20 point lead late.  I have to admit I knew we had three timeouts left if the Bengals did score to take the lead with under 40 seconds left.  Should have NEVER came down to this…  Tomlin talked about “learning while you win” and I hope the Steelers listen this week.

 Game highlights/lowlights:

• GADGET – Randle El’s 39-yard touchdown to Wallace, who caught five passes for 110 yards.  Randle El took a hand-off from Ben, who threw a block, and then hit Wallace in the end zone.  Please call me “blog master” till Sunday, as I predicted this and love it!   Randle El has 157.5 passing rating for career – kaboom!  Now teams have to scout for this…. Brilliant Tomlin and Arians!   Making the Patriots work on stopping this next week is legend.
• Linebacker play was awesome – Lawrence Timmons was most active player on the field.  He had an interception to set up a touchdown, two passes defense and made a tackle for a loss on third-and-2 that resulted in a missed field goal.  James Farrior wasn’t far behind, making five tackles and had a sack.  LaMarr Woodley was a beast collapsing the pocket.
• Chest bump to Bruce Arians for going for a score after the Bengals missed a 51-yard field goal with 45 seconds left in the half, which resulted in a fg.  Why was Roethlisberger throwing with a 13-point lead, on three consecutive plays from the Bengals’ 45 that took 35 seconds?  Run the clock!!!!
• We blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on special teams, but Reed’s 46 yard miss (chance to put us up 9) was awful.. After hitting 53 yarder, he again can’t put two big kicks together..  I can’t keep writing about this, but this is major concern in Steeler Nation.  Playoff games are won or lost on kickers… 
• Almost too many injuries to list….  Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) and C Maurkice Pouncey (right leg) in span of three plays in the second quarter and the loss of RT Max Starks (neck).  Kieisel also was re-injured..  Pouncey came back in game…  Our standards never change no matter who is in there so no excuses.

NEXT:  vs. NEW ENGLAND, 5:20 P.M. SUNDAY – NBC:  After three consecutive road games, the Steelers return home to face the Patriots — the third prime-time game in a row for the Steelers.  HUGE game vs. hated Patriots… 

PS:  All business blog today – whattttt?

This is a nasty rivalry as SI cover states…  no Christmas cards sent between teams here, and even though teams are separated by 3 games in standings, it’s a big game…

The Steelers shouldn’t have to make-up a fantasy threat out of Cincinnati’s recent history.  Disregard that 2-5 record Marvin Lewis’ team is dragging around.  He’s the reigning NFL Coach of the Year.  The Bengals won all six of its AFC North games a year ago, and eight of the past nine.  The Bungals are desperate as they try to erect the first three-game winning streak against the Steelers in 20 years. 

Seems plenty enough to keep you focused for Pittsburgh.

“This is a make-or-break game in their season and we’re only 1-1 in our division.  We need to really play well if we’re going to go in there and get a victory”, Steelers TE Health Millers explains.  Vanilla comments but AGREE Heath, boom…  Must game, must be prepared, must win it Steeler way!

Steeler keys to domination

• Get the run game going again…. They averaged 150 yards per game through their first three, all victories.  They have averaged 92.8 yards per game in their past four, in which they’ve gone 2-2.  Bengals give up 120 yards per game on the ground and seem SOFT to me on the defensive line.  Run early and late to set up pass.
• Ben and his receivers must get on same page on hot read routes..  They all need to understand what coverage is being shown and adjust..  It should be better now for more practice time w/ Ben. 
• Cornerbacks be ready..   Bengals receivers can be dangerous (85 and TO) and I’d rather not see any TO “I love me some me” stuff…  McFadden and Troy should be prepared for underneath stuff from TO before he goes deep later in game.  Fustrate 85 and TO early and they put themselves first over team.
• Predicting a big special teams play here…  dare I say “gadget play” again to my loyal blog followers…   Cincy is 30^th in league is kick coverage..   How bout some trickery here?   The Bungals aren’t smart enough this year to stop it.
• Turn on ESPN upstairs– Holy Toledo again!  The Steelers coaching staff did not have the NBC game feed on last Sunday and missed the chance to challenge the Mendenhall touchdown I blogged about…  They had the home team video feed which won’t show conversational calls for home team.  UNEXCUSABLE level 29!   Every tv station in coaching booth should have ESPN on or else Monday night.  FYI – I like Gruden anyway on the telecast, so maybe coaching staff can pick up a pointer or two. 

Steelers should be able to dominate both lines of scrimmage and that should be the top difference maker…  Coming off our worst game of the year, and even though I was critical of the coaching staff, losses make everyone more humble and I do believe Tomlin will have their attention this week and we will be better prepared.  This will be payback to Cincinnati for their flukes last year..  Late pick six coming from Palmer, maybe two of them.

Steelers 34  Bungals  17

PS:  I have a top 4 friend who is a Bungals fan, he goes by the name Struggle.  Enough said…

“It doesn’t get any better than this”….   That’s what I led with on Friday going into the game…   Well, it doesn’t get much worse than what I saw on Sunday night.  Awful performance by the Steelers, in a 20-10 lost to the Saints.

On a Halloween night in which patrons jammed the Superdome dressed in costumes to set a world record (17,777 total in costume), the offense of the Steelers failed to almost dress at all.  Unable to establish a running or passing game early, they looked out of sorts most of the night leading to one very frustrated blogger today.

“It was a tough environment for us tonight,” coach Mike Tomlin said, implying that his team did not handle the crowd noise very well..   We looked ill prepared no doubt.

Game low lights

• I question Tomlin and staff’s decision making on plenty…  1) Went for it on fourth-and-4 at the 40 in the 3rd, but Roethlisberger’s pass on the right for Sanders was broken up.  Their decision to go on fourth down gavethe Saints good field position to start their next drive, and they took advantage of it to score the first touchdown.  2) GOAL-LINE GAFFES:  After replay overturned a 12-yard TD pass to Antwaan Randle El, the Steelers failed to score on three running plays from the Saints’ 1, losing 2 yards in the process and settling for a fg.  This failure to score on three running plays from the 1 has brought down an avalanche of criticism, much of it falling to offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.  How bout a QB sneak Arians?  HOLY TOLEDO!  We have a 6’5, 250 lb QB who can get one yard…  3)  Tomlin should have challenged Mendenhall’s carry seen in blog pic on the goal line as it did provide enough evidence that he got the ball over I thought.  Worth a shot for sure…
• Thumbs down to Roethlisberger had only 93 yards passing through three quarters….  Ben did not look sharp or in command of the offense.
• The offense never got into any kind of rhythm, whether because of the crowd noise or the Saints pressure.  And they didn’t attack deep to WR Mike Wallace, not even once.   The Saints weren’t going to let Wallace run past them for a big play, not after he had five catches of 41 yards or longer in the first six games.  But, even though they played a lot of two-deep zone to prevent the big play, the Steelers never even tried to attack deep, even though the Saints were playing without their two starting corners.
• Jeff Reed kicked a 19-yard field goal, but missed a 51 yarder near the end of the first half that was huge.  Someone tell me the last time he hit a big kick?  Please let me KNOW!  No wind, no weather, in a dome, he is paid to hit 51 yarders in that environment.  I’ve grown tired on this and on a team that is a top Super Bowl contender,  that is unacceptable and I’d bring in kickers to compete and send a message at very least.  Gary Anderson? 

We lick our wounds, like a dog named Tux , for a day, then we move on…..  The Saints are the defending champs and probably a playoff team, but that was not the Steelers best effort or execution clearly.

Next up: @ CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-5), 5:30 PM (pacific time) ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.

Preview on Friday.

It doesn’t get any better than this….  

Who:  Steelers (5-1) at Saints (4-3)

Where:  Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans

When:  Sunday 5:20 pm PT – NBC Prime time Game

The surging black and gold look to continue their terrific start in 2010, while the suddenly-struggling Saints try once again to recapture their 2009 form, as the two powerhouses collide this Sunday in the biggest game to date this year.

The Saints of course won the Super Bowl, and now are experiencing that defending the title ain’t easy..  “You’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” said Ben Roethlisberger, who’s thrown five TDs and posted a 122.4 passer rating since returning from his four-game suspension.

Here is my best shot for a Steelers win:

• Mendenhall needs to run well of course, but importantly, he and all other backs MUST pick up blitz as the Saints will be desperate to make things happen with their pressure.
• Smith and Keisel are out, so Ziggy Hood and Nick Eason will start on defensive line…  I’m not worried, Eason has played well and now it’s time for Ziggy to show his maturity.  Both need to hold their own for us…
• As defense carried us early in season, it’s time for Big Ben to take on heavier load..  I look for Ben to have his best game thus far in primetime, 2-3 TDs.
• Must pressure Saints QB Drew Brees given the talent he has around him to throw to..  Looks like Woodley will play, but look for a contribution from rookie LB Jason Worilds if not…  Steelers would like sacks, but signal caller pressure is a huge key on Brees Sunday, as he is just too good when given time.
• I like our receivers every week, but this game especially…  Wallace deep, Miller and Ward across the middle, maybe even a Sanders sighting.  Start them all you fantasy nerds out there!  (Joe Rob)

The Saints grossly underestimated the Browns last week in a loss.  It is very possible they were looking forward to this match-up and lost focus of the task at hand.  The most dangerous thing you can do when you get your schedule is to mark the sure wins.  The Browns at home might look like a slam dunk, but that is why they play all of the games.

The Saints will be desperate Sunday, and will be better prepared… HC Payton always tries to get tricky (play calling) and will on Halloween - tricky doesn’t work vs. us.  The environment will be rough, tough, and loud but…  that doesn’t phase us either, we will strive off that on Sunday night.

The best handout I’ll get on Halloween won’t be a Kit Kat, some M&M’s, Snickers, or even my favorite – Junior Mints, but a Steeler statement game WIN!

Steelers 31  Saints 17

Happy Halloween!  Boo…  Bang…  Bam!  Recap on Monday.

After the Steelers’ bizarre, 23-22 victory Sunday at Miami, their head coach was ready to flee….  “I just want to get out of town,” Tomlin declared.

They were fortunate to beat the Dolphins not necessarily because of “the fumble debacle” but because they did not play their best.

What “fumble debacle”?  Down 22-20, they ran twice to the 2, and then Big Ben, from the shotgun formation, took the snap and ran a quarterback draw.  As he dove for the goal line, safety Chris Clemons hit him and popped the ball loose.  The officials ruled it was a touchdown, then it was overturned on reply as he lost the ball before crossing goaline.  The officials had no clear replay of what team recovered ball so we kept it.  Jeff Reed then kicked an 18-yard field goal on 4^th down to put the Steelers ahead with 2:26 to go, and the Steelers defense held.

I honestly think we should have went for a touchdown on 4^th instead of settling for fg…  The way Miami was moving the ball, I’d rather take our shot from the half yard line with our 6’5 QB RAMMING a sneak for a td.  That would have put us up 4 pts (5 or 6 with conversion), and made Miami score a td.  If we don’t make it, the Phins were out of timeouts and backed up in own end zone, where safety ties game.  I didn’t agree with the call to kick the fg, but it worked…  My blog, my opinion!

Game day highlights (‘I’m legend‘ plays)

• Roethlisberger completed 19 of 27 passes for 302 yards, no interceptions and two touchdowns..  He has to hold on to that ball next time, but as predicted here, he was sharp.
• CB Ike Taylor followed Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall — a tactic the Steelers haven’t used this season — and held him to five catches for 57 yards..  Didn’t think we could do this, but done.
• Hines Ward had season-highs with seven catches and 131 yards and a td.. “He’s an incredible warrior and player,” Roethlisberger said.  DIDO!
• Defensive line was studly – the Dolphins’ usually productive ground game got freeze out (64 yards).

Tomlin always reminds his team that the standard of expectation doesn’t change, no matter who is in the game, and that message will need to resonate again after BIGTIME injuries to Aaron Smith, Lamar Woodley and Flozell Adams (their status uncertain moving forward).  The black and gold seem to thrive in these situations, and this mental toughness/grit/heart is a by-product of their head coach, no doubt.

NEXT UP

@  SAINTS – HALLOWEEN SUNDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME GAME ON NBC:  The Steelers have not played in the Superdome since 2002 and have lost four of their past six games in New Orleans.  Also matches the past two years Super Bowl Champs… Can not wait for this one, good bye early games, prime time ready!

Preview blog on Friday – Boo!

PS:  Ram loses

The Steelers (4-1) make their second trip to Florida in 2010, this time to take on the Miami Dolphins (3-2), a team they played in the season finale last year (and beat).  Pittsburgh has won all four meetings with Miami since 1998.

I’m not going to focus LB James Harrison’s fine for illegal hits last Sunday and his thoughts of retirement this week (yeah, right – emotional player who just made an emotional outburst).  We all act emotionally from time to time..  I’m going to focus mostly on the game.

Big Ben is back and now he’ll play on the road for the first time, and he expects a normal reception from opposing fans.  “No different than any time the Steelers go on the road anywhere,” Roethlisberger said.  “It’s always hostile wherever we go.  People love us or they hate us.  You band together as a group and play ball.  And I anticipate a lot of Steeler fans will be there.”  So true….

Maybe Scotty T, who must be trying to break the blog world record for daily views here, can write up an article on his hatred thoughts towards the Steelers, or is it just me that he hates, or is it just that he is bored with his own life …

Steeler keys for ‘a dub’:

• Lay the wood on Miami runners, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, who are putting up around 107 combined yards per game.  No running back has managed more than 42 yards against the Steelers this season, not even Tennessee’s Chris Johnson.  No one runs at us, move on… 
• Handle the Florida heat (forecast of 80 and sun)…  As I predicted, Miami is putting us in black jerseys while they wear white..  It’s a factor, but we will be fine as we have been thru this heat in Tampa and Tennessee this year.
• Roethlisberger must and will play sharper than he was last weekend.  “One thing about him – when you look into his eyes, you always know you have a chance to win ballgames,” receiver Hines Ward said.  He makes everyone better, even his haters can’t disagree.  TE Heath Miller will be big here in this game on underneath routes.
• Must contain Miami WR’s Marshall and Bess…  Marshall is a catching stud, and Bess catches everything under neath (think Wes Welker style).  Our secondary is playing better, but curious to see our game plan here as we can’t cover Marshall solo.   I think we give Miami different looks (man/zone/double Marshall, etc) to confuse Henne, that’s what I predict. 
• Know where Miami pass rusher Cameron Wake is, and help OL Flozell Adams consistently block him…  Adams is older and slower of course, but has played well so far..  He needs helps here as Miami needs sacks/pressure/turnovers to have any hope vs. us.
• Play your game Harrrison – I expect solid, aggressive play from him with a huge key play just because…

The Steelers will play mad this week for what happened to Harrison…  Miami will fight with improving team built under Bill Parcells, but ‘it’s a dub’ for us in a physical, and potentially ugly, football game.   Just the way Steeler Nation likes it….  mini Bang- Boom!

Burgh 23  Miami 16

Recap blog coming on Monday. 

PS:  Happy 40th to Mickey Ross today

Only got halfway to the 56 points I predicted…  but I really did that to spark some opinions…  Bang boom!

On a perfect autumn day, Ben Roethlisberger was not, but he did convert three touchdown passes against the Cleveland Browns in a 28-10 victory for the Steelers.  Nice, not perfect, and that was good news for one of his best targets.

“I didn’t really want him to be flawless coming back,” said Mike Wallace, who caught Roethlisberger’s first touchdown pass of the season and led the Steelers with 90 yards receiving.  “Then, we wouldn’t really have anything to work on.”

You either get better or worse in life daily…  and we got stuff to work on, but can work on it at a record of 4-1, tops in the division after a great Baltimore loss, and making mark on being the best overall team thus far in NFL.   I’m getting a feeling…. ahh – let’s hold off on that for now…

Game highlights / lowlights

• Ben made enough plays to make his return a success, including a 29-yard touchdown toss to Mike Wallace on the series following his interception.
• LB James Harrison took out two of the Browns’ top offensive players — wide receivers Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi — with debatable hits in the first half preventing the Browns from using their Wildcat package for 2^nd half.  I love Harrison’s tenacity and passion, but it’s all over the news today on his helmet to helmet hit on Cribbs…  
• It shouldn’t go unnoticed that OC Bruce Arians never got away from the game plan of trying to run (Mendenhall 27 carries, Redman 6 carries) even when yards were hard to come by.  WE DO NEED to run the rock to win title 7 this year Steeler Nation.  We instilled our will with run in 2nd half…
• Another fine defensive performance, solid across the board vs lesser talent however on Browns side.
• Decent debut for Browns’ rook QB Colt McCoy…  The vast majority of his yardage came in the 4th quarter with the Browns clearly in catch-up mode, but even before the late flurry, he looked impressive I have to admit.
• Uniform FYI – we have NOT put on away (white) jerseys yet all year…  My bet is next week Miami wears white at home to be more cooler.  So be it… 
• K Jeff Reed wasn’t involved in game…  didn’t attempt fg, we will need him BIG down the road, but I am concerned where his mind, body, and soul are after big misses this year already – make note.

A win is a win…  and I never ever fell sorry for Cleveland (only exception was the tv spectacle ‘The Decision’ by Lebron James – no class at all to throw Cleveland under the bus that way – weak).

The Steelers travel to Miami to take on the 3-2 Dolphins next Sunday.  A ‘Kaboom’ preview article coming Friday, followed by a 40^th birthday party for another local Steeler fanatic (Ross 1 Kash), moving overseas.  My hope is he finds a good Steelers bar.

I’m back!!….
I’m back in the saddle again!!!
I’m back!!….
I’m back in the saddle again!!!

Lyrics from Aerosmiths’s “Back in the Saddle” song from 1976 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIPS4LyveJs)  that bests describe the theme for the Steelers this week as BIG BEN is back leading the Steelers saddle again.

For those in hibernation, Roethisberger was suspended for four games dues to violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.  The Steelers went 3-1 without him and now it’s time to turn it up with him as he will start at QB against the Cleveland Browns (1-4), his first appearance in the 2010 season.

“I expect him to get a warm reception.  I really do,”  HC Mike Tomlin said during his news conference Tuesday.  “I really think that’s the nature of Steelers Nation.  I know we’re excited about having him back.  I know he’s excited about getting back with his teammates and performing for our fans at Heinz Field.”

I’m thinking positively, hoping Ben has made strides in changing his life for the better, and along with Steeler Nation, ready to give him another chance. 

Game keys vs. Cleveland

• Control early game emotions – Heinz Field will be pumped for Ben and the hated Browns, but doing the little things that got us to 3-1 must be focused on.  Browns can not match our talent level, but we must come out determined to lay the wood early and not give them any hope in any phase of the game.
• X out Cribbs (similar to a chic you don’t like) – Do not let WR/KR Josh Cribbs beat us…  I repeat do not like Cribbs beat us..  One more time, do not let Cribbs beat us.. The Steelers need to make sure to gang tackle and contain him every time he is around the ball.  He has hurt us in past with tds on kicks and in wildcat formations – we should be prepared for him.
• Defense attack – As always, our defense sets tone and should be attacking from the start like hungry lions after meat, as the Browns will start rookie QB Colt McCoy…  He hasn’t taken a real NFL snap yet in his career, enough said…  Go after him, confuse him, send it early and often, every blitz in the book.  I definitely see a ‘pick 6′ in our agenda on Sunday (good for my fantasy team as well).
• Big Ben it’s your show….  Do your thing…   I expect Ben to play well, not great, as his timing and chemistry will need some development.  Look for him to hit Hines a few times, make Heath relevant again, and 1-2 deep bombs to Wallace.  No gadget plays needed this week fans, sorry.

Bottom-line, The Steelers should rely on the run game to control game, play sound special teams (maybe Reed makes a few or else), and unleash the D on McCoy and the lackluster Browns offense.  That should be more than enough to get a win..  However, that ain’t good enough yinz know…  I feel a blowout.  KABOOM!  Most points scored in game for Steelers is 63 – 1952 season – when they beat the New York Giants 63-7.  (source: stat wiz/bath and beyond guru James Haberlen)

We come close to that record on Sunday!

Steelers 56  Browns 2 (the Steelers on a late 4^th quarter punt, have a bad snap that goes over head of the punter for the Browns safety)

Look for post game recap blog on Monday.

The Steelers were 32 seconds away from staying undefeated….  But close only counts in horseshoes and cricket I think…   Flacco shredded the Steel Curtain with four straight passes, the final one for a td, as Ravens win 17-14.

Steelers WR Hines Ward was down – “So this is going to hurt a little bit.  We let one slip through our hands.”   We will examine briefly…. INHALE

 High lights (very few) / low lights

• Specials Teams get F – The Steelers failed to take advantage of two takeaways inside the Ravens’ 35 when K Jeff Reed missed field goals from 49 and 45 yards in the 3^rd.  Special-teams captain Keyaron Fox was called for holding on Sepulveda’s final punt from the end zone, giving the Ravens another 10 yards to start their final drive and Steelers were hesitant on kickoff in the end zone on last possession..   Awful!!!!!
• Reed deserves another low light here…  Paid to make kicks, and he ain’t making them consistently and then complains about his contract…  I’m growing tired of this…  and I have his jersey.  I think it is time for a kicking competition with bye week….
• Focus get F – There is a certain lack of concentration when you commit as many penalties in one game (11 for 88 yards) than in the previous three combined (11 for 80). 
• Flacco was nothing short of sensational, throwing for 256 yards and completing all four pass attempts on the winning drive that took just 36 seconds.  Defense put very little pressure on Flacco, rushing only 3 a lot…  I don’t get that!
• Terrible sack:  After Lawrence Timmons recovered a fumble at the Ravens’ 27, Batch was sacked on third down for a 7-yard loss by DE Terrell Suggs. That forced Reed to attempt a 49-yard FG that missed..  I don’t think ‘throwing the ball away’ is an emphasis with the Steeler quarterbacks…  but it needs to be, as that 7 yards cost us in attempt.
• WR Randle El finally made a presence with a big catch (we will need him or Miller to)…  but almost fluffed a punt.

Now, Steeler Nation, let’s exhale…  we are in great shape!

The Steelers will look back on the 2010 season’s opening quarter some day with pleasant memories, that under the trying circumstances of losing their first two quarterbacks, they were able to win three of four games and turn over first place to Ben Roethlisberger when he returns to them today.   Yes, downer anytime we lose, but ask yourself if you would have taken a 3-1 record before we started this thang….   Boooo ya!  

Pittsburgh on bye next week, and returns to action vs. Cleveland at home October 17^th

Look for a blog this Friday on the return of Big Ben.

“This is a darn good football team.  They have a great defense.  They have a great running game.  They have dangerous wide receivers. Their special teams are much improved. We’re not surprised they’re 3-0, but we don’t care.  We’re still going to play the game.”   – Ravens head coach John Harbaugh states. 

Well, the Steelers are going to play the game also John….  I’m been researching this game all week and there seems to be a great respect through the player comments, but let’s be real – these teams do not like each other and are one of the great, if not, top rivalries in the world.  And it’s more than that, 5 have of the last 10 AFC Championships have featured at least either the Ravens or Steelers, if not both, and 3 of the last ten Super bowls belong to them as well. 

It’s a fight…  and not the kind where you may have had a few too many Yuenglings, someones calls you a ‘douche-bag’ and it’s on…  this is a fight that both want in SOBER!

Game keys

• Feed off the Steeler Nation crowd at Heinz field early…  Team that gets early lead as distant advantage in this type of game with two great defenses.
• Defense shows their our the NFL’s best…  Ravens think they are, we think we are… Just words, do it with actions on Sunday..  Tackle well, hit hard, be  opportunistic as always, pressure Flacco early and often.
• Steelers must be aware of Ravens WR Boldin…  Be physical with him, and do not back down all game.
• Stay with running game, pounding Mendenhall and others, even if not getting yardage early..  Work the clock and set them up for a deep one to Wallace.  Looking for OC Bruce Arians to call a great game here.  I would like to see a reserve, thanks.
• Hines Ward will be key…  Trust me..  Big players play big in big games and Hines will be the security blanket Batch needs this week.  Steelers peeps say he has lost a step which could be the case, but he makes up for it with his intangibles. 

I’m trying to stay professional here, but it’s hard and my blog is opinion anyway….  I HATE the Ravens!!  Legs are shaking just thinking about the game on Sunday, love playing them and going to love beating them.  Steelers have absolute nothing to lose as this is the last game Big Ben is suspendedfor (guest column to come by Todd JoJo Morin on Ben’s suspension), and no one thought they would be 3-0 at this point without him.  Yet Steelers are never SATISFIED…  too much city pride, too much character, too much heart, too much grit, too much tenacity, too much hard working values instilled in their tradition.  Love or hate it, it’s fact!

Steelers whip some Raven *&^% *!  20-10

Recap blog on Monday morning.