After getting burned last week by the Bengals, the Steelers should be smarting a bit this week against Kansas City.
The Chiefs just aren't very good offensively and even though Troy Polamalu and Travis Kirschke won't play for the Steelers, their defense should have no trouble locking them down.
Defensively, Kansas City is very young in the secondary and that's something the Steelers will exploit, Kansas City also has just 12 sacks this season.
Take Pittsburgh, 31-10.
© Linebacker James Harrison was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his personal foul Sunday against Cincinnati offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Kirschke suffers setback
After going through some individual drills on Wednesday, defensive end Travis Kirschke sat out Thursday as he continues to attempt to come back from a calf injury that has sidelined him the past two games.
Kirschke, of course, had been thrust into a starting role after Aaron Smith was lost for the season.
Nick Eason has started the past two games at defensive end with Smith and Kirschke out.
Kirschke, of course, had been thrust into a starting role after Aaron Smith was lost for the season.
Nick Eason has started the past two games at defensive end with Smith and Kirschke out.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Polamalu in knee brace
Strong safety Troy Polamalu was at the Steelers practice today, but was wearing a large knee brace and did not participate.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu is "very questionable" to play this week against Kansas City. By the looks of things, Polamalu may be out even longer than that.
Considering the Steelers play in Baltimore in two weeks, that's not a good thing for Pittsburgh, which is 2-2 in games that Polamalu has missed.
© I keep hearing the stat that the Steelers haven't won this season without Polamalu. Paul Alexander said it following the Mike Tomlin press conference Tuesday. It was repeated on an ESPN 1250 radio show Wednesday afternoon as something that's a fact.
I'm sure they probably read it somewhere, even though it's false. Don't these people do any research of their own?
© Carey Davis and Travis Kirschke were back at practice on a limited basis today and look like they could be back against Kansas City.
© Mike Wallace was out today with an undisclosed illness.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu is "very questionable" to play this week against Kansas City. By the looks of things, Polamalu may be out even longer than that.
Considering the Steelers play in Baltimore in two weeks, that's not a good thing for Pittsburgh, which is 2-2 in games that Polamalu has missed.
© I keep hearing the stat that the Steelers haven't won this season without Polamalu. Paul Alexander said it following the Mike Tomlin press conference Tuesday. It was repeated on an ESPN 1250 radio show Wednesday afternoon as something that's a fact.
I'm sure they probably read it somewhere, even though it's false. Don't these people do any research of their own?
© Carey Davis and Travis Kirschke were back at practice on a limited basis today and look like they could be back against Kansas City.
© Mike Wallace was out today with an undisclosed illness.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kansas City's Bowe suspended
As if the Steelers needed any more help defeating the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, now wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the team's top receiver, has been suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the performance enhancing substances policy.
This leaves the Chiefs very thin at wide receiver.
This leaves the Chiefs very thin at wide receiver.
Tuesday with Tomlin-Polamalu update
Mike Tomlin said the injury to All-Pro strong safety Troy Polamalu is not as serious as the team feared when he left Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.
Tomlin said Tuesday that Polamalu's injury is a PCL strain as opposed to a re-injury to the MCL that forced him to miss four games earlier this season.
"Troy's status for this game is questionable, at best," said Tomlin as the Steelers prepare to play at Kansas City Sunday. "Although we have had some favorable information in regards to where he is from a health standpoint. We're going to take it day-to-day with him."
In other injury-related news, Tomlin said defensive end Travis Kirschke will work in individual drills Wednesday, as will fullback Carey Davis.
Both have missed the past two games, Kirschke with a calf injury, Davis with a hamstring pull.
© The Steelers have also signed linebacker Donovan Woods from their practice squad, releasing linebacker Arnold Harrison.
Woods is expected to help the team's kickoff coverage problems.
Tomlin said Tuesday that Polamalu's injury is a PCL strain as opposed to a re-injury to the MCL that forced him to miss four games earlier this season.
"Troy's status for this game is questionable, at best," said Tomlin as the Steelers prepare to play at Kansas City Sunday. "Although we have had some favorable information in regards to where he is from a health standpoint. We're going to take it day-to-day with him."
In other injury-related news, Tomlin said defensive end Travis Kirschke will work in individual drills Wednesday, as will fullback Carey Davis.
Both have missed the past two games, Kirschke with a calf injury, Davis with a hamstring pull.
© The Steelers have also signed linebacker Donovan Woods from their practice squad, releasing linebacker Arnold Harrison.
Woods is expected to help the team's kickoff coverage problems.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Post-Cincinnati part II thoughts
Give credit where credit is due, Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer coached himself a heck of a ball game Sunday.
Individually, Cincinnati's defenders aren't all that good. In fact, they're largely the same group that has lined up for the Bengals the past few years - with a few notable exceptions.
But people have said that about the Steelers for years as well.
Sometimes scheme can outperform ability.
It did Sunday for Cincinnati.
© Cincinnati's offense didn't do a whole lot again against the Steelers, picking up 218 yards.
That's why it's kind of funny that quarterback Carson Palmer spoke after the game about how they outschemed the Steelers in the run game and in the play-action game.
Hey Carson, you outschemed the Steelers to the tune of 61 rushing yards, 157 passing and four field goals.
No, this day belonged to Zimmer.
© Ben Roethlisberger was off all day long in this one, overthrowing open receivers on a number of occasions.
Many of his throws were high. Again, credit Zimmer for keeping Roethlisberger in the pocket and for some well-timed delayed blitzes that kept Roethlisberger from stepping into his throws.
© The injury to Troy Polamalu is troubling.
Including Sunday's loss in which he played exactly one defensive series, the Steelers have won 13 of of the past 15 games he's started.
They're 2-2 when he doesn't play.
There's no word yet on Polamalu's status, but he pulled himself out of the game, so obviously he felt something wasn't right.
© That's seven consecutive games the Steelers have allowed a return touchdown, including three-straight home games that they've given up a kickoff return touchdown.
The defense has allowed 11 touchdowns all season.
Mike Tomlin joked following the game that he'd put himself out there if he thought it would help the kickoff coverage team.
But a call to Anthony Madison, who's unemployed right now, might be in order.
Keiwan Ratliff was inactive Sunday and rookie Keenan Lewis went down with a rib injury.
Ratliff could be released or Lewis could go on IR to make room for Madison, who was the Steelers' leader in special teams tackles in 2008.
© Chris Kemoeatu was the only Steelers player named to Sports Illustrated's midseason All-Pro team by Peter King.
Sunday, Kemoeatu gave up a pair of sacks to somebody named Johnathan Fanene. He also was penalized once for holding Fanene.
I'm pretty sure Fanene was not on King's All-Pro team.
Just saying.
© I'm sure Steelers fans are hitting the panic button right now after being swept by the Bengals.
But really, the Steelers still control their own destiny.
Sunday's loss will likely cost the Steelers any chance of a bye in the playoffs and could mean they might have to settle for a wildcard spot, but outside of Indianapolis and New England, who in the AFC playoff picture scares anyone?
Don't think for a second the Steelers wouldn't welcome a third game with Cincinnati.
Individually, Cincinnati's defenders aren't all that good. In fact, they're largely the same group that has lined up for the Bengals the past few years - with a few notable exceptions.
But people have said that about the Steelers for years as well.
Sometimes scheme can outperform ability.
It did Sunday for Cincinnati.
© Cincinnati's offense didn't do a whole lot again against the Steelers, picking up 218 yards.
That's why it's kind of funny that quarterback Carson Palmer spoke after the game about how they outschemed the Steelers in the run game and in the play-action game.
Hey Carson, you outschemed the Steelers to the tune of 61 rushing yards, 157 passing and four field goals.
No, this day belonged to Zimmer.
© Ben Roethlisberger was off all day long in this one, overthrowing open receivers on a number of occasions.
Many of his throws were high. Again, credit Zimmer for keeping Roethlisberger in the pocket and for some well-timed delayed blitzes that kept Roethlisberger from stepping into his throws.
© The injury to Troy Polamalu is troubling.
Including Sunday's loss in which he played exactly one defensive series, the Steelers have won 13 of of the past 15 games he's started.
They're 2-2 when he doesn't play.
There's no word yet on Polamalu's status, but he pulled himself out of the game, so obviously he felt something wasn't right.
© That's seven consecutive games the Steelers have allowed a return touchdown, including three-straight home games that they've given up a kickoff return touchdown.
The defense has allowed 11 touchdowns all season.
Mike Tomlin joked following the game that he'd put himself out there if he thought it would help the kickoff coverage team.
But a call to Anthony Madison, who's unemployed right now, might be in order.
Keiwan Ratliff was inactive Sunday and rookie Keenan Lewis went down with a rib injury.
Ratliff could be released or Lewis could go on IR to make room for Madison, who was the Steelers' leader in special teams tackles in 2008.
© Chris Kemoeatu was the only Steelers player named to Sports Illustrated's midseason All-Pro team by Peter King.
Sunday, Kemoeatu gave up a pair of sacks to somebody named Johnathan Fanene. He also was penalized once for holding Fanene.
I'm pretty sure Fanene was not on King's All-Pro team.
Just saying.
© I'm sure Steelers fans are hitting the panic button right now after being swept by the Bengals.
But really, the Steelers still control their own destiny.
Sunday's loss will likely cost the Steelers any chance of a bye in the playoffs and could mean they might have to settle for a wildcard spot, but outside of Indianapolis and New England, who in the AFC playoff picture scares anyone?
Don't think for a second the Steelers wouldn't welcome a third game with Cincinnati.
Steelers-Bengals inactives
Keiwan Ratliff, Carey Davis, Urbik, Hills, Sunny Harris, Shaun McDonald and Travis Kirschke are inactive for the Steelers.
Keith Rivers is down for Cincinnati.
Brandon Johnson will start in his place.
Keith Rivers is down for Cincinnati.
Brandon Johnson will start in his place.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Who I like
Really, this is one of the easier picks I've made this season. The Bengals are a legitimate playoff contender, but they aren't coming into Heinz Field and winning. It's just not going to happen.
And if you think back to the first meeting, the Steelers dominated it for about 3 1/2 quarters. Even with Cincinnati's two late TD drives, the Steelers still outgained the Bengals by 100 yards.
An interception return for a touchdown caused by Santonio Holmes and botched snap on a PAT made a big difference.
How did the botched PAT make a difference. Had the Bengals made the PAT after the interception return in the third quarter, they'd have been behind 20-17 and facing fourth-and-11 with under a minute remaining. Marvin Lewis would have kicked the tying field goal instead of going for the first down.
And who knows what happens after that.
Add in Limas Sweed's dropped touchdown pass and a Jeff Reed missed field goal and you just had the perfect storm for the Bengals.
Won't happen again this time.
Take Pittsburgh, 27-13
And if you think back to the first meeting, the Steelers dominated it for about 3 1/2 quarters. Even with Cincinnati's two late TD drives, the Steelers still outgained the Bengals by 100 yards.
An interception return for a touchdown caused by Santonio Holmes and botched snap on a PAT made a big difference.
How did the botched PAT make a difference. Had the Bengals made the PAT after the interception return in the third quarter, they'd have been behind 20-17 and facing fourth-and-11 with under a minute remaining. Marvin Lewis would have kicked the tying field goal instead of going for the first down.
And who knows what happens after that.
Add in Limas Sweed's dropped touchdown pass and a Jeff Reed missed field goal and you just had the perfect storm for the Bengals.
Won't happen again this time.
Take Pittsburgh, 27-13
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Timmons back at practice
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons was back at practice Wednesday and looked good moving around on his sprained ankle.
All signs point to Timmons returning to play after sitting out the Steelers' victory over Denver.
Travis Kirschke and Carey Davis sat out.
© Chad Ochocinco wrote on his Twitter page that he was going to send the Steelers defensive backs mustard in the mail this week because, "they weren't going to be able to ketchup" on Sunday.
It's really not that big of a deal for the Steelers, who seem to like Ochocinco's playful little digs.
Ochocinco is just 5-12 in 17 career games against the Steelers, so I guess they get the last laugh.
Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis, though, apparently nixed Ochocinco's plans and told him not to send the package.
All signs point to Timmons returning to play after sitting out the Steelers' victory over Denver.
Travis Kirschke and Carey Davis sat out.
© Chad Ochocinco wrote on his Twitter page that he was going to send the Steelers defensive backs mustard in the mail this week because, "they weren't going to be able to ketchup" on Sunday.
It's really not that big of a deal for the Steelers, who seem to like Ochocinco's playful little digs.
Ochocinco is just 5-12 in 17 career games against the Steelers, so I guess they get the last laugh.
Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis, though, apparently nixed Ochocinco's plans and told him not to send the package.
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