Reilly
10-18-2005, 09:53 PM
Pittsburgh (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?teamId=23) (3-2, 2-0 away) at Cincinnati (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?teamId=4) (5-1, 2-0 home)
Why To Watch
Cincinnati's Carson Palmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6337) and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6770) are quickly developing into two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Palmer has had a quarterback rating of 100 or higher in each of his past nine games and that ties Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4256) for a league record. The Steelers have lost just two regular-season games since Roethlisberger took over as the starter in early 2004. It appears that Pittsburgh will at least have the edge in the running game. After all, the Steelers' run defense hasn't surrendered a 100-yard rusher in nineteen games. The only problem for Pittsburgh fans is Cincinnati RB Rudi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5548) is the last back to have done it. Johnson needs to have another strong game if the Bengals are to win this critical AFC North matchup.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/pit_34_rf.jpg When the Steelers have the ball
Rushing: Rookie MLB Odell Thurman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7224) has excellent initial quickness and he is a reliable tackler that can limit backs' production after contact but he is obviously inexperienced and he gets caught out of position at times. That's not good news for Cincinnati fans because Pittsburgh has the personnel to exploit this weakness. Pittsburgh's offensive line does an excellent job of sustaining blocks and creating cut back lanes. RB Willie Parker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7073) shows good vision for such a young back and he will take advantage of any seams the offensive line creates for him. While No. 2 Jerome Bettis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2354) is best known for his ability to pick up the tough yards in short-yardage situations and run over defenders once in the open field, he has deceptively quick feet and good athletic ability. He also reads blocks well and can cut back when the opportunity presents itself. It's also important to note that the Bengals' front seven lacks ideal depth and it's vulnerable to wearing down over the course of the game. Players are most prone to making mistakes when they get tired so don't be surprised to see the Steelers' backs rip off some long runs late in the second half.
The expected return of Roethlisberger will have just as big an impact on the running game as it does on the passing game. With Roethlisberger in the lineup, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will have to respect Pittsburgh's ability to stretch the field more than he would if Tommy Maddox (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2018) were to get the start. As a result, Frazier would be far more hesitant to walk SS Kevin Kaesviharn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5831) up to the line of scrimmage.
Passing: Rookie TE Heath Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7206) appears to be getting better with every snap and he could have his most productive game working against the Bengals safeties, which have not played with great discipline. Both Kaesviharn and FS Madieu Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6815) fill the gaps hard when they read run, making them vulnerable to play action. While Miller doesn't have elite top-end speed, he reaches it quickly, he has excellent body control and he has the hands to make the acrobatic catch downfield. In addition, it's unknown at this point if WR Hines Ward (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4323), who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, will be available. Ward is a crisp route-runner that rarely gets pushed around and he consistently makes the tough catch in traffic, making him an excellent safety valve for Pittsburgh's quarterbacks. Miller is an excellent possession receiver as well and he will have to pick up some of the slack again if Ward can't go or he is less than 100 percent healthy.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/cin_34_rf.jpg When the Bengals have the ball
Rushing: Cincinnati's two keys to success running the ball are making the Steelers' front seven prove it is as good as everyone says it is and getting Johnson 20-plus carries. Pittsburgh's defense is already one of the most talented in the league so the Bengals' blockers cannot help it out by missing an assignment or failing to sustain a block once in position. They must be consistent and efficient because Cincinnati won't get great push up front working against the Steelers' front three and their linebackers will make some plays at the line of scrimmage consequently. However, SS Troy Polamalu (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6352) and Pittsburgh's linebackers can be overaggressive and they will over pursue in certain situations. The Bengals must get into position and sustain their blocks even if they don't get movement so Johnson can take advantage when Pittsburgh's front seven makes a mistake. Giving Johnson that many carries is important because he is a power back that gets better with each carry and he has the bulk to wear the Steelers' down over the course of the game. He carried the ball 24 times when he rushed for 124 yards against Pittsburgh in early 2004. The fact that his longest run went for 15 yards shows how consistently successful he was in that game.
There is one concern about Johnson however and that's his impatience. While he has improved in this area, Johnson doesn't always give his blockers time to get into position and backs tend to speed their play up when they face the Steelers' aggressive scheme. Johnson needs to stay patient and give the play time to develop or Pittsburgh's front seven will have success beating Cincinnati's blockers to the point of attack.
Passing: NT Casey Hampton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5466) is best known for his ability to stuff the run but he's in a position to make a substantial impact as a pass rusher this week. One of the reasons Palmer has been so successful is his footwork. He wastes no motion getting his feet set and that allows him to get rid of the ball quickly without sacrificing accuracy or velocity. Hampton is a powerful bull rusher that can collapse the pocket and that will force Palmer to roll to one side or another. Although Palmer is mobile enough to make plays on the move, the outside linebackers in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme have excellent outside leverage because of where they line up. That will make it difficult for Palmer to get outside the pocket. If Pittsburgh doesn't get good push up the middle, Palmer will be able to avoid the pressure coming off the edge by simply stepping up into the pocket.
The chess match between Palmer as well as offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be fun to watch and play a big role in the outcome of this game. Palmer has significantly improved his ability to prepare for defenses since entering the league and he is naturally more comfortable on game day as a result. However, LeBeau is one of the most creative and aggressive coordinators in the league. He will throw a few wrinkles at Palmer in an effort to confuse Palmer's reads and disrupt his timing. Palmer must be willing to throw the ball away when he isn't sure of the coverage and Bratkowski must help him make the sound adjustments when Palmer gets to the sideline.
Why To Watch
Cincinnati's Carson Palmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6337) and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6770) are quickly developing into two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Palmer has had a quarterback rating of 100 or higher in each of his past nine games and that ties Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4256) for a league record. The Steelers have lost just two regular-season games since Roethlisberger took over as the starter in early 2004. It appears that Pittsburgh will at least have the edge in the running game. After all, the Steelers' run defense hasn't surrendered a 100-yard rusher in nineteen games. The only problem for Pittsburgh fans is Cincinnati RB Rudi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5548) is the last back to have done it. Johnson needs to have another strong game if the Bengals are to win this critical AFC North matchup.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/pit_34_rf.jpg When the Steelers have the ball
Rushing: Rookie MLB Odell Thurman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7224) has excellent initial quickness and he is a reliable tackler that can limit backs' production after contact but he is obviously inexperienced and he gets caught out of position at times. That's not good news for Cincinnati fans because Pittsburgh has the personnel to exploit this weakness. Pittsburgh's offensive line does an excellent job of sustaining blocks and creating cut back lanes. RB Willie Parker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7073) shows good vision for such a young back and he will take advantage of any seams the offensive line creates for him. While No. 2 Jerome Bettis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2354) is best known for his ability to pick up the tough yards in short-yardage situations and run over defenders once in the open field, he has deceptively quick feet and good athletic ability. He also reads blocks well and can cut back when the opportunity presents itself. It's also important to note that the Bengals' front seven lacks ideal depth and it's vulnerable to wearing down over the course of the game. Players are most prone to making mistakes when they get tired so don't be surprised to see the Steelers' backs rip off some long runs late in the second half.
The expected return of Roethlisberger will have just as big an impact on the running game as it does on the passing game. With Roethlisberger in the lineup, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will have to respect Pittsburgh's ability to stretch the field more than he would if Tommy Maddox (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2018) were to get the start. As a result, Frazier would be far more hesitant to walk SS Kevin Kaesviharn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5831) up to the line of scrimmage.
Passing: Rookie TE Heath Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7206) appears to be getting better with every snap and he could have his most productive game working against the Bengals safeties, which have not played with great discipline. Both Kaesviharn and FS Madieu Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6815) fill the gaps hard when they read run, making them vulnerable to play action. While Miller doesn't have elite top-end speed, he reaches it quickly, he has excellent body control and he has the hands to make the acrobatic catch downfield. In addition, it's unknown at this point if WR Hines Ward (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4323), who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, will be available. Ward is a crisp route-runner that rarely gets pushed around and he consistently makes the tough catch in traffic, making him an excellent safety valve for Pittsburgh's quarterbacks. Miller is an excellent possession receiver as well and he will have to pick up some of the slack again if Ward can't go or he is less than 100 percent healthy.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/cin_34_rf.jpg When the Bengals have the ball
Rushing: Cincinnati's two keys to success running the ball are making the Steelers' front seven prove it is as good as everyone says it is and getting Johnson 20-plus carries. Pittsburgh's defense is already one of the most talented in the league so the Bengals' blockers cannot help it out by missing an assignment or failing to sustain a block once in position. They must be consistent and efficient because Cincinnati won't get great push up front working against the Steelers' front three and their linebackers will make some plays at the line of scrimmage consequently. However, SS Troy Polamalu (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6352) and Pittsburgh's linebackers can be overaggressive and they will over pursue in certain situations. The Bengals must get into position and sustain their blocks even if they don't get movement so Johnson can take advantage when Pittsburgh's front seven makes a mistake. Giving Johnson that many carries is important because he is a power back that gets better with each carry and he has the bulk to wear the Steelers' down over the course of the game. He carried the ball 24 times when he rushed for 124 yards against Pittsburgh in early 2004. The fact that his longest run went for 15 yards shows how consistently successful he was in that game.
There is one concern about Johnson however and that's his impatience. While he has improved in this area, Johnson doesn't always give his blockers time to get into position and backs tend to speed their play up when they face the Steelers' aggressive scheme. Johnson needs to stay patient and give the play time to develop or Pittsburgh's front seven will have success beating Cincinnati's blockers to the point of attack.
Passing: NT Casey Hampton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5466) is best known for his ability to stuff the run but he's in a position to make a substantial impact as a pass rusher this week. One of the reasons Palmer has been so successful is his footwork. He wastes no motion getting his feet set and that allows him to get rid of the ball quickly without sacrificing accuracy or velocity. Hampton is a powerful bull rusher that can collapse the pocket and that will force Palmer to roll to one side or another. Although Palmer is mobile enough to make plays on the move, the outside linebackers in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme have excellent outside leverage because of where they line up. That will make it difficult for Palmer to get outside the pocket. If Pittsburgh doesn't get good push up the middle, Palmer will be able to avoid the pressure coming off the edge by simply stepping up into the pocket.
The chess match between Palmer as well as offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be fun to watch and play a big role in the outcome of this game. Palmer has significantly improved his ability to prepare for defenses since entering the league and he is naturally more comfortable on game day as a result. However, LeBeau is one of the most creative and aggressive coordinators in the league. He will throw a few wrinkles at Palmer in an effort to confuse Palmer's reads and disrupt his timing. Palmer must be willing to throw the ball away when he isn't sure of the coverage and Bratkowski must help him make the sound adjustments when Palmer gets to the sideline.