Pittsburgh, at 4-1, has a two-game lead in the AFC North Division as
the Steelers head to winless Cincinnati on Sunday.
The Bengals and Steelers were developing one of the more hotly
contested rivalries in the league in 2005, but it quickly fizzled out as
Cincinnati went into the dumper. There's plenty of animosity left, but
the most important thing confronting the Steelers this week is not to
look beyond the Bengals.
After they play at Cincinnati, where they have won seven straight,
they play a grueling four-game stretch that starts with the New York Giants on Oct. 26. Then it's off to Washington before home dates against
Indianapolis and San Diego.
The good news for the Steelers is they play four of five at home
after their trip to Cincinnati.
The Steelers won their past two games without some key injured
starters who should return this Sunday -- halfback Willie Parker,
defensive end Brett Keisel, nose tackle Casey Hampton and fullback
Carey Davis.
"Any time you have starters down and you're able to go in there and
do well and get your guys back without having too much damage done to
your record, it's good," linebacker James Harrison said.
Their past bye weekend came at an opportune time for Pittsburgh. Also
expected back is left tackle Marvel Smith, who left the last game in the
fourth quarter with cramps.
NOTES, QUOTES
--WR Limas Sweed, a second-round draft choice, still has not played
in a game and has dressed for only one of them. He preaches patience.
"Just tell 'em patience is a virtue," Sweed said. "I'm playing behind
some guys on fire right now. It's their time right now, and I'm the
younger guy. My time is coming."
--The Steelers say they are not concerned that they've had no rushing
touchdowns in their past four games.
"It's too early for that," WR Hines Ward said. "It's not a concern
for us. We're calling plays down there and scoring TDs in other areas."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
--RB Willie Parker went through his first practice Monday since he
sprained the MCL in his left knee Sept. 29. He said he's ready to resume
play in Cincinnati on Sunday.
--QB Ben Roethlisberger, who missed both practices in the bye week,
returned and went through a full practice Monday.
--K Jeff Reed, who came down with a calf injury in the Oct. 5 game
against Jacksonville, did not practice Monday but said he will kick
Wednesday and that he feels good.
--NT Casey Hampton (groin) did not practice Monday. He missed the
past two games but is expected to return this week.
--LT Marvel Smith, who left in the fourth quarter vs. Jacksonville
with cramps, did not practice Monday. He is expected back this week.
REPORT CARD AFTER 5 GAMES
PASSING OFFENSE: B -- The Steelers still do not throw much, so they
don't accumulate much yardage and won't be ranked high in the league
based on that. However, when they do throw, they're good at it. QB Ben
Roethlisberger has completed 63.7 percent of his passes, has a 95.7
rating and thrown seven TDs vs. three interceptions. The biggest
problem is he's been sacked 18 times.
RUSHING OFFENSE: B -- The team has been able to maintain after the
loss of RB Willie Parker and RB Rashard Mendenhall, who is out for the
season. The Steelers have only three rushing TDs, but Mewelde Moore ran
for 99 yards in a victory at Jacksonville in the last game, and Parker
and FB Carey Davis return this week. Parker was second in the AFC when
his knee was sprained in the third game.
PASS DEFENSE: B-plus -- The Steelers are off to a good pace with 18
sacks, half of their total from all of last season. Opposing
quarterbacks have a 71.2 passer rating and have thrown just four TD
passes while getting intercepted four times, three times by Troy Polamalu. Their average per attempt is just 5.87, and their longest
completion is 35 yards.
RUSH DEFENSE: A -- The Steelers continue to do a great job against
the run, even with Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton out the past two games and
DE Brett Keisel out of the past three. They've permitted only 2.8 yards
per rush, three touchdowns and a long run of 14 yards in their 334-yard
total against them in five games. Hampton and Keisel return this week,
which should boost that effort.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B -- Jeff Reed is a perfect 9-for-9 on field-goal
attempts, and their coverage teams have improved immensely since last
season. They've allowed just 3.8 yards per punt return and 20.1 on
kickoff returns, with no touchdowns. Conversely, they have no returns of
their own to speak of with a 3.8-yard average on punts and 19.6 on
kickoffs. Veteran P Mitch Berger, picked up this summer when Daniel
Sepulveda was lost with a torn ACL, has been inconsistent, although 10
of his 25 punts have wound up inside the 20.
COACHING: B -- Except for some terrible offensive strategy during
their only loss to Philadelphia, Mike Tomlin and his staff have done a
good job. Their best came when the Steelers upset the Jaguars in
Jacksonville despite having a handful of starters sidelined. "It shows
the dedication and preparation every player on this team has, no matter
if they're a starter or a backup," LB James Harrison said. And that
speaks well of the coaches.