Black and Gold Report: Pit/Cincy Preview

by Behbigben15

Second Edition of Behbigben15's Steelers Beat :

Tomorrow the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) are facing off with their Division Rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4).  It is a big game for both teams, the Bengals need a win to get their confidence back, as well as momentum.  The Steelers, right now, are winning the AFC North, while Cincinnati is fourth place, behind the Cleveland Browns.

STATS (Rankings in NFL)

PIT:

Overall Offense- 6th

Overal Defense- 1st

Pass Offense- 23rd

Rush Offense- 2nd

Pass Defense- 3rd

Rush Defense- 2nd

CINCY:

Overall Offense- 10th

Overall Defense- 29th

Pass Offense- 2nd (T)

Rush Offense- 24th

Pass Defense- 28th

Rush Defense- 22nd

The Steelers have a huge edge in this game.  The Steelers gameplan is to run, run, pass, run.  Out of 38 games when Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 30 or less passes, the Steelers have won 33 of them.  That really says something about their run game, expect Coach Tomlin to pound the very weak Bengals run D, and Parker will rush for 150+ yards, and a few TD's.  On the other side of the ball for Pittsburgh, look for them to blitz Palmer allot, the Steelers know the Bengals will be passing the ball, and if Pittsburgh can blitz five or six guys, they will eventually get to Palmer, and it will affect his rhythm.  The Bengals have no shot at running the ball, their top fantasy back from last year, Rudi Johnson, has been out with an injury, and has carried the ball just 62 times this year (for 185 yards).  SO, starting for Cincy at RB is 29-year old Kenny Watson (66 ATT, 313 Yards, 4 TD, 4.7 YPC this year).  Watson is great at running screen passes, and the Bengals may have to pick apart the Steelers D if they get banged up early, so look for Cincy to throw shorter passes.

My Prediction :  I really don't see Cincinnati winning this game, the Steelers have done a nice job of bouncing back after a loss this year (considering they have only lost two games).  The Steelers D will shut down the run game, and will limit the Bengals passing game with their speedy defenders.  On Offense, the Steelers will dominate on the ground, and Big Ben will throw under 30 passes, Pittsburgh wins 31-21.

My Bold Prediction:  Bengals throw 3 INT's, and Willie Parker runs for 150+ yards, and 2 TD's.

In Other News:

Safety Ryan Clark’s status for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati will not be known until later in the week after he suffered from inflammation in his spleen following the Broncos game.

Clark has a pre-existing blood condition where the high mountain altitude combined with dehydration caused the inflammation.

He did not return to Pittsburgh with the Steelers on Sunday night after the game as a precaution. He did return to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

“All indications are that Ryan is going to be okay,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “We erred on the side of caution in terms of putting him on the airplane after the football game. His spirits are good.

“We are going to evaluate him the early part of this week and we will know more information about his availability later in the week. There is a good chance that he could play provided he passes the battery of tests we are going to put him through later in the week.”

 Defensive end Aaron Smith suffered a sprained knee in the Steelers first defensive series against the Broncos and missed the remainder of the game. Tomlin classified him as “doubtful at best” for the Bengals game and said it could be a week-to-week evaluation.   The Steelers have not ruled out signing a defensive lineman but also could go with the five they currently have on the active roster if Smith can not go on Sunday.     “Aaron is as good a player as we have on this football team,” said Tomlin. “You know what you are going to get from him.  The level of his play is extremely consistent and consistently high. If he doesn’t play that will be a blow to us, but not one that we are going to make excuses about. “

Also on the injury front linebacker Clink Kriewaldt has been having shoulder problems that will keep him out of practice early in the week, but he could play. Tight end Jerame Tuman, who missed the Broncos game with back issues, is expected to play on Sunday.   The secondary could get a boost if cornerback Bryant McFadden, who has missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain, returns to play.

“Bryant has a chance to play this week,” said Tomlin. “We’ll see how he performs in practice. It’s been a couple of weeks. It’s time now. It’s getting close. We’ll see where he is.”

Steelers Announce All-Time Team:

OFFENSE

Terry Bradshaw - Quarterback (1970-83)

Jerome Bettis - Running Back (1996-05)

Rocky Bleier - Running Back (1968, 1970-80)

Franco Harris - Running Back (1972-83)

Bennie Cunningham - Tight End (1976-85)

Elbie Nickel - Tight End (1947-57)

John Stallworth - Wide Receiver (1974-87)

Lynn Swann - Wide Receiver (1974-82)

Hines Ward - Wide Receiver (1998-Present)

Larry Brown – Offensive Tackle (1971-84)

Dermontti Dawson – Center (1988-00)

Alan Faneca – Guard (1998-Present)

Tunch Ilkin – Offensive Tackle (1980-92)

Jon Kolb – Offensive Tackle (1969-81)

Mike Webster – Center (1974-88)

DEFENSE

Joe Greene – Defensive Tackle (1969-81)

L.C. Greenwood – Defensive End (1969-81)

Casey Hampton – Nose Tackle (2001-Present)

Ernie Stautner – Defensive Tackle (1950-63)

Dwight White – Defensive End (1971-80) Jack Ham – Outside Linebacker (1971-82)

Jack Lambert – Middle Linebacker (1974-84)

Greg Lloyd – Outside Linebacker (1988-97)

Joey Porter – Outside Linebacker (1999-2006) Andy Russell – Outside Linebacker (1963, 1966-76)

Mel Blount – Cornerback (1970-83)

Jack Butler – Defensive Back (1951-59)

Carnell Lake – Safety (1989-98)

Troy Polamalu – Safety (2003-Present)

Donnie Shell – Safety (1974-87)

Rod Woodson – Cornerback (1987-96)

SPECIALISTS

Gary Anderson – Kicker (1982-94)

Bobby Walden – Punter (1968-77