Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Gameday Open Thread

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 6:24 PM EST in News

Just about game time Steelers' fans. You know the time and place, you know what we'd like to see out of the team, and you know what's at stake. With the Brownies struggling out in Arizona, Pittsburgh can lower their Magic Number in the AFC North to 1 with a victory tonight at Heinz Field.

Speaking of Heinz Field, looks like we may be in for another sloppy night in Pittsburgh, with precipitation a strong possibility. That may actually favor the Steelers, but it may also prevent our offense from getting back in the kind of rhythm that's been missing for quite some time.

Marvel Smith and Troy Polamalu are both listed as doubtful, and I'd suspect neither play tonight after missing all of this week's practice sessions. That means T Max Starks gets another chance to prove he should be a part of the rotation on the line during the stretch run. Cincinnati's got a long list of starters listed as probable tonight, including TJ Housh, Chad Johnson, CB Deltha O'Neal and S Dexter Jackson. From what I can gather, all should be dressed and ready to play tonight.

Only 5 games left Steelers fans. This is our team - through the good and the bad. Although flawed, this team is 8-3 and about to enter the gauntlet of its schedule. Tonight presents a fantastic opportunity to dictate the tempo and level of physicality against a Bengals team that would rather engage in a track meet than a 12-round prize fight.

Gather round with friends, get some food and drink in ya, and get out them Towels. Join me throughout the game as we look to remain perfect in the division before heading off to New England next weekend.

Go Steelers!

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Browns

Back within 3. Looking like another wild ending for a Browns game.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 6:26 PM EST reply actions

YES

good job ARI and the Whis. Cleveland can't pull it out, PIT with a great chance to put another nail in the AFC North coffin tonight.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

saints - bucs

Wow, John Gruden went for it on 4th and 1 from the NO 30 yard line down by 3 with 2 minutes left. They got the 1st down the went down for the go-ahead TD. Plenty to be said for not always playing by the book and being less conservative. I think lots of NFL coaches make that mistake far too often.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 7:35 PM EST reply actions

Predictions anyone??

PITT 24-13 --- there's my two cents

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:19 PM EST reply actions

nice call

by schnifin on Dec 3, 2007 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

Najeh out as well

it'll be interesting to see who gets the #2 carries. Even the broadcastors are saying it's a odd injury (maybe not football related).

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:26 PM EST reply actions

damn talk about no pass rush at all

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:34 PM EST reply actions

d looked a little rusty on that drive

some missed assignments on the td run too

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 8:40 PM EST reply actions

wow

they beasted us on that drive. We tend to let teams go far on first drives though, I swear. No numbers to back that up, just always seems that way to me.

by Mikey on Dec 2, 2007 8:40 PM EST reply actions

why oh why...

doesn't he even just run forward anymore! that was an easy first down man! C'mon Ben.

by Mikey on Dec 2, 2007 8:47 PM EST reply actions

damn why can't Ben just tuck that ball

and run for 6?

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Ben

doesn't have much command of those throws. Hope he can get them under control.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 2, 2007 8:48 PM EST reply actions

terrible pick

Ben chooses again to ignore the short, safe gain (he could've gotten at least 5 on the scramble) and instead try and hit a home run by throwing an ill-advised pass.

How many times will coaches see this same thing happen before he gets reined in a little?

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 8:49 PM EST reply actions

Ben

I think it was a good idea to throw. Hines was open, but the throw sailed lame duck style on him.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 2, 2007 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

Ben

Neeeds to tuck it and run more.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 8:56 PM EST reply actions

Another drop...

STICK 'EM boys, STICK 'Em

by Mikey on Dec 2, 2007 8:57 PM EST reply actions

at least ST coverage has been great so far

Gay had to pull up b/c he beat the ball on that punt

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 8:58 PM EST reply actions

Ok

So i'm sorry to post so much, im watching the game alone thus far, but a screen to the wideout when you are deep in your own zone and the defense is playing press?

by Mikey on Dec 2, 2007 9:05 PM EST reply actions

stupid ass penalties

i want to see Tomlin a little more fired up on the sidelines after stupid shit like that.

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 9:05 PM EST reply actions

now we're talkin

back on track now, fwp's breaking out a little, let's keep this up guys

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 9:18 PM EST reply actions

Yea!

Great drive. Great tempo, play calling, blocking, everything.

That's why Ben's got to take off and run. Sucks for Ben because he's going to get hit like he just did there, but we're just not going to be an elite offense unless he's willing to take off and run some of the time.

Let's keep it up guys! The defense has looked shaky, but made just enough plays on 3rd down to keep them out of FG range on two of their recent drives.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:23 PM EST reply actions

hoooly shit

i love carey davis

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 9:24 PM EST reply actions

To all the haters!

Anthony Mason earning his keep! Fuck yeah. Let's capitalize.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:24 PM EST reply actions

Anthony Madison*

Used to love A. Mason for the old-school Knicks.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

meh

Disappointing we didn't get 7 there, but momentum definitely on our side. Huge next 5 minutes. A stop and another FG or TD drive would make me feel pretty good about things after a real slow start.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:31 PM EST reply actions

good stop

I dont like Silverback trying to tackle like a CB, but nice stand.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:39 PM EST reply actions

willie's having a big night

and we know what happens when willie has big nights

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 9:41 PM EST reply actions

madden makes a rare relevant point

the o-line has seriously stepped up today. I don't know what happened in the locker room and in practice in the past week, but I'll be damned if it isn't encouraging as hell. Ben's been chilling in the pocket all night.

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 9:46 PM EST reply actions

guys

We should be really proud of this team for responding the way they did in the 2nd quarter. O-Line is playing pretty well, Ben's making plays, d is playing with attitude, special teams has contributed, and the play-calling has been much smarter imo.

Good stuff.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 9:54 PM EST reply actions

play calling

I really liked how the play calling was adjusted to a short passing game. When Ben gets ball out of his hand quickly this offense is nearly unstopable

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

o line

looking good but fast willie hasnt turned on the jets. with a 10 point lead and starting the 2nd half with the ball having scored 17 unanswered lets see if the o line can give willie some holes

by bohur on Dec 2, 2007 9:56 PM EST reply actions

who's your momma

still talking shit over a game five years ago. what a child

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 10:08 PM EST reply actions

son of a bitch

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 10:08 PM EST reply actions

guys

This is special stuff. Long post coming tonight about why this team has a chance to still do special things, and a lot of it has to do with the personality of Hines Ward and the kind of attitude he brings to this team. Congrats Hines on the record!

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 10:49 PM EST reply actions

Hines

Possibly the best game I've seen him play in a while. He caught everything thrown his way even when they weren't easy. What a 'Ward' night for him to break the record.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Hines

Do you think Hines will let this team be intimidated next week at NE? HELL NO. We're not as talented as NE from top to bottom, but when we;re on, we're still dangerous. Fantastic play calling from Arians tonight in the passing game. I don't know what it is with having Holmes as a deep threat, but Arians just seems to get way too excited and impatient trying to hit the HR to him, instead of playing to our strengths, which are the quick stuff to Heath and Hines, with the occasional deep ball to Nate and Santonio mixed in.

Like I said the past two weeks, there was still time to make adjustments. Huge, huge hurdle cleared tonight (or at least so far).

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 10:51 PM EST reply actions

3rd

finally we held on 3rd down

by bohur on Dec 2, 2007 10:58 PM EST reply actions

loose hands

pull fwp from the backfield
we cant afford to blow this.

by bohur on Dec 2, 2007 11:05 PM EST reply actions

Madden

I don't normally count on Madden for much but his point on the sleeves seems pretty valid. Seems pretty accurate at this point.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

take willie parker out of the game

these short yardage passes were working

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 11:05 PM EST reply actions

Is it too late to pull Bettis out of the booth?

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

stupid

we get a lifeline on a penalty then we ruin it on a dumb pick. i think we'll pull this out, but again, major issues to be addressed and it's december. time to get this shit fixed, coach t.

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 11:19 PM EST reply actions

then the d comes up with a crucial fucking stop

If we can keep our offense from making dumb mistakes and protect Ben as well as we have tonight, we will contend against NE. No doubt.

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

Well

Tomlin can't hold on to the ball out there and he can't be an intermediary between the communication of Ben and Cedrick/Hines. This team was ready to play tonight, and its unfortunate that some late sloppiness will distract many of us from the bigger picture, which was that we did a lot of good things. The sloppy play counts of course, but I think we need to fixate on two things about this game: 1) the play of the D backs 2) the play of the O-Line

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 11:25 PM EST reply actions

agreed completely

this has been a great game for us, this D has played as strong as any in the nfl today. And I liked where we were at offensively in the second quarter. Like I said above, if we can avoid stupid shit on offense and keep the D as strong as it has been (and will only get stronger with the return of Troy and friends) we will hold our own next week and for the rest of the season.

by dcfan85 on Dec 2, 2007 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

Randy Moss

I think we'll contain him, but Wes Welker scares the shit out of me. Our biggest weakness on D is against the slot guys. Notice C. Johnson hasnt done shit, but Henry has found some room over the middle.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 11:26 PM EST reply actions

fwp

why is he still getting the ball
hes not moving it bec hes scared he will fumble. and then we get stuck with 3rd and long

by bohur on Dec 2, 2007 11:28 PM EST reply actions

mistakes

Steelers have made some mistakes, but nothing retarded like an offsides on 4th and 3. I saw the Browns make multiple boneheaded penalties today that cost them dearly. Tomlin has some learning to do, but at least our team doesnt get flagged for a bunch of stupid penalties.

by Michael Bean on Dec 2, 2007 11:29 PM EST reply actions

stop 'em here

hold them to 10, and our defense stats will continue to look pretty good... monster game for the D as a unit.

by acrollet on Dec 2, 2007 11:37 PM EST reply actions

good game

really nice to see Ben regain his confidence after looking so frustrated and 'old ben' at the beginning of the game

by acrollet on Dec 2, 2007 11:43 PM EST reply actions

A Win

-3 in turnovers is really bad, but we won and played well when we had too. That drive at the end of the 1st half was huge. Hines was outstanding. He took a huge hit and got up smilin'. Of course he did. To Foxboro we go....

by Jack58 on Dec 2, 2007 11:52 PM EST reply actions

alot of great stuff

this team isn't perfect but they are a team and when they're playing they're game they're really good.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 2, 2007 11:56 PM EST reply actions

post game thoughts

If any of yall are going to be awake in an hour, check back in the next thirty minutes or so for my initial thoughts if interested. If not, check back tomorrow as we rejoice staying perfect in the division and prepare for NE!

by Michael Bean on Dec 3, 2007 12:12 AM EST reply actions

Now Bring On The Pats!

Quick thoughts, and Blitzburgh can follow-up:

This was a win that the team needed to get anyway that it could. The fact that it came against the Bungles made it that much sweeter.
I thought Tomlin should have sat Willie down for a little bit after that second fumble, nevertheless after the 4th. At the end of the game, Willie really just wanted to fall down, not fumble and get off the field. If Najeh's foot problem lingers, I think you will see Veron Hayes playing against the Patriots next week.
Hines is Hines. What more can you say?
Max Starks, you really do want to get paid next year. Keep playing like this, and I think you could be cashing Steelers checks next year. Man, if he plays like this, move Willie inside to guard, let Faneca go get his payday and draft their LT and RT of the future with their no. 1 and no. 2 picks. (I still believe in going back to back OL in this draft).
The first time the kickoff coverage caused a turnover all year and I missed it. I taped the game so I'll rewatch just to make sure it happened. Other than that, A. Frazier and Timmons were making plays on special teams all night.
My boy, Dale Lolley, said the Bengals WRs put on the worst show as a group of receivers that he has seen in his 15 years covering the NFL. Apparently, they wanted nothing to do with the brickhouse named Anthony Smith.
Lolley also said that Holmes, Palomula and Marvel Smith should all be ready to go next week.
Were any of you disappointed or even upset that Tomlin didn't pull FWP and at least give C. Davis and Russell a few carries? Also, it sounds like there is a little more to Davenport's foot problem than what's been said so far. Tomlin seemed to be miffed about it after the game.
The order for player paydays this offseason: 1. Big Ben 2. B. McFadden 3. Max Starks 4. Clark Haggans. Anyone agree or disagree? Let me know.
Foote already fired the first verbal shots about the Patriots. "I ain't a betting man, but I don't think they're going to put up 40 [or] 50 on us," Foote said.

You're right Cgolden, the most violent team will win next week. Let's get this party started right! Be blessed everyone.

by datruth4life on Dec 3, 2007 2:26 AM EST reply actions

Truth

Unless the Steelers bring back Cowher, I don't think we'll see Verron back either.

Starks is playing as well as any OL right now. I wonder is Colon is looking over his shoulder. I wouldn't mind seeing them shuffle Colon to guard and putting Starks at RT when Smith gets back. Simmons can ride the pine until he figures out how to pick up a blitz.

I was hoping to see more of Russell last night though with Najeh out.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 3, 2007 9:56 AM EST up reply actions