A brief look at some facts and figures heading into this weekends games. Enjoy! -Frank-
1- The number of all time loses the Steelers have had against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their career record all-time is 8-1. The one loss they suffered to Tampa Bay was in 1998 at Raymond James Stadium where the game will be held this Sunday.
3- The number of times the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost a game when the Troy Polamalu has intercepted a pass. Conversely they have won the other 18 games in which Troy has an interception.
3.8- The average number of punt return yards Antwaan Randel El is averaging in his return to Pittsburgh this season. While I certainly understand the need for no mistakes currently when our offense is so anemic, I will be very irritated if Randel El is the main returner after Ben Roethlisberger returns in a few weeks.
4- The number of field goals Steelers kicker Jeff Reed needs to be only the second ever kicker with at least 200 career field goals in Steelers history. The other player is Gary Anderson who has 309 career field goals as a Steeler.
5- Number of special teams tackles rookie Cody Grimm had in the preseason along with two additional special teams tackles in the first two games. The former Virginia Tech linebacker will receive his first NFL start at Safety this weekend against the Steelers.
7- The number of gears the world's fastest car has. The gears are as follows, 5, 6, and Isaac Redman.
9- The career number of interceptions Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has recorded in his career. Taylor is going on his eight season with the Steelers and has never recorded more three interceptions in a season. Quite an interesting stat for one of the most underrated corners in the league.
10- The number of consecutive games that LaMarr Woodley has recorded at least a half-sack.
13 - The number of losses the Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris had during his first season with the Buccaneers. In comparison Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has 17 regular season losses in his first three seasons in Pittsburgh.
26- The average age of the players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They are the second youngest team in the National Football League second only to the Carolina Panthers.
33- The cents on the dollar that Tampa Bay ownership could of paid to buy up the reported several thousand unsold seats to avoid a blackout for their local fans at Raymond James Stadium.
35- The number of players on the Steelers roster who were draft picks by the Steelers. 26 were Free Agent acquisitions and two players were acquired via trade.
53- The number of players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that wet themselves after watching game tape of the man, the myth, the legend, James "Deebo/Silverback" Harrison."
104- The total number of yards on the ground the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed so far this season through their first two games.
116- The number of receiving yards the Heath Miller needs to move into second place all time in terms of receiving yards for a tight end. Miller currently has 2,761 yards in his first six seasons in the NFL, he trails Bennie Cunningham (2,879) and Elbie Nickel (5,133). Miller had just three yards receiving last week against the Titans.
180- The number of consecutive games in which Hines Ward has recorded at least one catch. His streak is tied for the fifth longest in the NFL history with Tim Brown.
430- The number of rushing yards Hines Ward has over his career. He is the Steelers all time leader in rushing yards for a reciever.
1091- The number of days between the Antonio Brown's 89 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and the previous kickoff return for a touchdown by Allen Rossum on September 23, 2007.
5000- The number of dollars Hines Ward and Chris Kemoeatu were fined for their part in the early game ruckus in Tennessee last week. Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan who proclaimed his desire to be the dirtiest play in the NFL (that alone should draw a fine in my mind), also received a $5000 fine for his part. Tennessee defensive lineman Tony brown was also fined on the play, and Steelers James Harrison was fined $5000 as well for slamming Vince Young in the second half.
10075- The number of career passing yards for Charlie Batch. Batch has a career record of 19-27. In all fairness though, outside of four career starts (soon to be five) for Pittsburgh, Batch's other starts were with woeful Detroit Lions teams.