The Steelers exposed the diminished run and pass defense of the Cincinnati Bungles, eh hem, I mean Bengals Sunday, leading to a 24-13 victory. Big Ben opened up their passing game a little more, hitting a returned and rejuvinated Hines Ward for 2 Touchdowns and 88 receiving yards on 8 catches. Ward, who has missed a couple games this season due to a knee injury, looked to be his old self again, that posession/ hard hitting reciever that the black and gold nation has come to love. Roethlisberger made only one mistake throughout the game which was intercepted, but other than that he seemed flawless. Willie Parker controlled the line of scrimmage on the ground, rushing for 126 yards and a score, and earning another nomination for the Fed-Ex Ground Player of the week. ( http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=players-air-and-ground ). You can vote for him there, or Joseph Addai (IND) and Kevin Jones (DET). The Steelers were able to contain the high-powered offense of the Bengals, holding them to only 13 points, which ties a season low (13 against New England). Big Ben is still undefeated in his home state of OHio, improving to 7-0 for his career.
Next week, the Steelers will play one of their most anticipated games, as they face their hated rival, the egotistical, stingy Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football on ESPN. Obviousley you can tell my feelings towards the Ravens, as I have become just as disgusted with their fans as much as their football team (aka arrogant fools). Last year, the Steelers were beaten up by a much better Baltimore team in Raven-ville. They sacked Roethlisberger 9 times in that game. This year though, is a whole new year, and things look different for the Steelers. The Ravens are not the team they were last year, and are coming off a loss to one of the worst teams in the league, Buffalo, who the Steelers beat 26-3 earlier in the season. If this game were to be played on a Monday night in Baltimore, I might actually give the Ravens and their semi-brain-dead fans the advantage. However, Heinz Field might be louder than it has ever been before (including the playoffs and Darell Revis' punt return for Pitt against West Virginia last year) when the Steelers run out onto the field in their throwback uniforms under the lights. So, prepare for defense, prepare for some serious smack talk, and prepare for the Steelers to come out on top in this meeting of divisional foes.
Prediction: Steelers 20, Ravens 10
(Don't worry, I will pick against the Steelers this season! I promise!... (Week 14 @ Tom Brady))
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