The Steelers Dolphins game wasn’t pretty…The Steelers won; that’s all that matters. The Steelers offensive line played pretty well…A few astute posters pointed out that field conditions limited the pass rush…They would be correct…Colon Starks and Faneca played quality games regardless. Simmons and Mahan struggled. The Wide receivers made plays on the ball…Ben was 18-21; he threw an interception, you have to give the devil his due, Joey Porter made one helluva a play on the ball. Willie Parker made me proud on Monday night…The field conditions could not have been worse for his skill set…He ran hard and protected the ball. The Steelers defense was great…The Dolphins offense does suck…The Steelers defense made play after play.

The Bengal’s offensive skill position players are back to full strength with the returns of Rudi Johnson and Chris Henry. Willie Anderson is expected to miss this week’s game…His replacement Stacey Andrews is a quality run blocker; he has slow feet and poor balance in pass protection. The Bengal’s defense has taken advantage of some opportunistic turnovers over the past few weeks…They do not have the defensive personnel to get stops against quality offenses.

Steelers with the Ball.

I am going to make this simple…The Steelers run game will not be effective until the Steelers passing game proves it can make defenses pay…I would throw the ball until teams back out of 8 man fronts. Bruce Arians takes some heat…I admit I am one to strike the match and chop the wood to make that fire burn hotter…Arians needs to say screw it and call his game…Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll have left the building…It’s a new era of Steeler football…You can not win games in today’s NFL by out willing teams. The Steelers will be missing two key offensive weapons this week in Marvel Smith and Santonio Holmes. The Steelers can not turn the ball over or make mental mistakes. The Bengal’s defense really sucks.

Matchups

Max Starks and Justin Smith…This could be an ugly matchup for the Steelers…I don’t believe it will be. Starks will dominate the run game, Starks is just too big and strong for Smith. Justin Smith is relentless in his pursuit of the ball, Starks needs to keep his hands inside and his feet moving in the run game. Rushing the passer Justin Smith is a three move guy…He will speed rush to the edge, He will speed rush to the edge and Rip back inside, he will straight bull rush…If Starks get his big ass out of his stance he will stone all three rush moves by Smith. On paper this matchup should scare most Steelers fans….The game is not played on paper…Starks looked hungry and determined in his first start of the year…Being benched has two effects on a player…He will either hump the pooch or come out fighting…Starks looks like he choose the latter.

Alan Faneca and John Thornton…This matchup traditionally goes something like this…Thornton beats Faneca for a sack; Faneca then destroys Thornton for the rest of the game. Faneca is finally healthy; his play has improved steadily over the past three weeks. Faneca needs to concentrate on his balance and hand placement in pass pro. In the run game Faneca is fantastic if he gets off the ball…He doesn’t destroy defensive linemen like Logan Mankins or Leonard Davis…He walls the defender away from the ball carrier. On the move Faneca is like a heat seeking missile. This matchup should be a huge advantage to Faneca and the Steelers.

Sean Mahan…After weeks of attempting to defend the play of Mahan…I have given up. Mahan is a piece of crap. Mahan should be fine this week in pass protection, both Bengal’s defensive tackles are average pass rushers with below average explosiveness and quickness…In the run game the Bengal’s have undersized Landon Johnson playing the “Mike” linebacker…Johnson struggles to disengage from blocks…There is no reason Mahan can not block any linebacker at the second level…Mahan missed a ton of blocks at the second level against the Cards and Ravens…That can’t happen…I have one question… Where have you gone Jeff Hartings?

Kendoll Simmons and Demato Peko…Both players suck…I believe Simmons can handle Peko enough in the run game that Mahan should have a free release to the second level. Simmons needs to get off the ball…He needs to move the line of scrimmage. If Simmons wins this matchup the run game should open up. In the passing game Peko has two rush moves…Straight bull rush, and a Swim move to the inside foot of the Right tackle…Simmons needs to keep his balance and trust his technique…No poster enjoys calling Simmons a piece of crap more then me…Simmons takes a bum rap in pass pro at times…Ben must give up on the play and chuck the ball out of bounds.

Willie Colon and Robert Geathers…Geathers has played all over the field for the Bengal’s defense. Colon did a decent job in the run game against Geathers in their first meeting. I believe the light is coming on for Colon…Colon needs to dominate this matchup in the run game…Colon needs to drive through defenders. Colon struggles big time at the second level…He needs to work keeping his weight back on his heels instead of on his toes so he can bring some ass when attacking backers…He overextends, grabs a face full of mud while missing the block. In Pass Pro Colon needs to understand defensive line stunts and games…Colon is rarely beat with skill…He usually beats himself with poor technique or bone head plays.

Skill position matchups.

Ben Roethlisberger is everything I ask for in a quarterback; he is mobile with a strong accurate arm and a fearless disposition…Ben is also a great leader…Ben leads with his play not with is mouth. Ben tries to make too many plays...As a result he takes some shots and makes some questionable decisions with the ball. Ben needs to protect the ball and attack the defense…Take what’s there. Willie Parker made me proud Monday night. Willie needs to run with his eyes… the boys upfront are starting to come around. Parker needs to continue to protect the ball. The Bengal’s linebackers are undersized and not very skilled. The Steelers offensive line and Tight ends must dominate the Bengal’s front seven. Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth should be able to dominate Dhani Jones and Rashard Jeanty in both the running and passing games. No Santonio Holmes could be a huge loss this week. Cedric Wilson and Nate Washington must make plays in Holmes absence. Hines Ward has killed the Bengal’s throughout his career. Delta O’Neal and Jonathan Joseph the Bengal’s starting corners both gamble…Both are very susceptible to double moves, both struggle with physical wide receivers that attack the jam. Leon Hall the Bengal’s nickel corner has been awful in coverage…Strong whispers that he will be a bust. The Bengal’s dime corner Kewain Ratliff makes his fair share of plays against the Steelers. The Bengal’s safeties are polar opposites… Strong safety Dexter Jackson is a hammer who wants to kill everything on the field…He hits like a linebacker; the problem is he also runs like one. Free Safety Madieu Williams is softer than yogurt and wants no parts of the physical aspects of the game…He can make plays on the ball and he is a Bengal’s defender who concerns me.

Bengal’s with the Ball.

The Bengal’s key offensive package is a 3 Wr set (Johnson Shoe Bomber Henry) Single back (Rudi Johnson) one TE (Kelly). The Bengal’s believe they can run or pass against any team in the NFL when healthy; If a defense plays nickel they will run Johnson, if a team plays base defense, the Bengal’s will throw the ball; The Talent level is there…Carson Palmer is a deadly quarterback when he has time in the pocket to set his feet and read a defense. Rudi Johnson runs hard. The Bengal’s trio of Wr may be the best in the NFL. The Bengal’s offensive line has struggled. I believe all 5 players are average at best…They can run block...They struggle with speedy attacking defenses. I believe the Steelers defense will have some success…I do not believe they will dominate the Bengal’s offense. No Troy this week means Carter will get the start. Lil Evil is solid…He struggles at times with the deep ball…He is a solid tackler who will look for the kill shot against any player…Reggie Kelly, Rudi Johnson, Chris Henry it doesn’t matter…If the player is wearing an orange helmet he is going to get killed...Anthony Smith kills the Bengal’s…Ike Taylor plays lights out against Chad Johnson. The Steelers will force the Bengal’s to throw the ball…I am not sure if the Bengal’s Wr’s can take the beating from the Steelers back 4.

Matchups

Levi Jones and Brett Kiesel in the run game…Kiesel owned the Bengal’s in the run game in the last meeting. Kiesel is really coming on as the season continues. The biggest improvement in Kiesel’s game is hand placement…He get his hands inside the offensive tackles chest and controls him. Kiesel can be exposed against the run on the inside…He doesn’t have the bulk or power to hold up…The Steelers should look to substitute in Kierschke or Eason more in the base defense this week.

Levi Jones and Silverback Harrison in pass pro….Silverback continues to have success because he is relentless and very strong. I believe Harrison will give Jones fits. Harrison just makes plays all over the field…He is a far better player then I ever expected. I have never been happier to be wrong about a player.

Andrew Whitworth and Brett Kiesel in the passing game….One of the main reasons I want to sub in for Kiesel is simple…Kiesel is on fire rushing the passer…4 sacks in his past 4 games. Kiesel is an effective interior pass rusher when fresh…Kiesel is dragging ass in the second and fourth quarters from playing the run…I believe Eason or Kierschke can give the Steelers ten to fifteen more plays against the run…The result will be an increased pass rush from Kiesel and Smith. Whitworth is a big hoss…He struggles to slide his feet and pick up interior pass rush games…Kiesel could have a field day against Whitworth rushing the passer.

Whitworth in the run game…He is a six foot five three hundred and forty five pound beast. He did a nice job moving Casey Hampton off the ball with down blocks in the first game. Whitworth won’t get to the second level against the Steelers and pick off linebackers…He will destroy any Steelers defender in his sights in the run game…Casey Hampton better bring his “A” game….He must feel the down block and hold his ground. Whitworth has horrible balance…When he locks on he wins. Whitworth holds every freaking play…Something the Steelers coaching staff should make the referees aware of.

Eric Ghiaciuc and Casey Hampton…The Bengal’s will attempt to down block Casey Hampton with the play side guard…Something they had some success with in the first game…The Steelers will be prepared this week and they will bring both inside linebackers…I believe the only way the Bengal’s can block both Steelers inside linebackers will be with their guards, Ghiaciuc will be forced to block Hampton without help… Ghiaciuc has ZERO chance of moving or even “kind of blocking” Hampton without help. Casey looks like he is carrying a 4^th grader in his belly…Casey needs to be able to play 70% of the defensive snaps at a high level…At this time I believe he can play 45% of the snaps at a high level.

Bobby Williams in the run game…Williams is a fat slob…Read above for blocking schemes.

Williams and Aaron in pass pro….Aaron Smith is a wrecking machine rushing the passer…He has zero finesse to his rush game. He is straight bull rush, He is a straight Rip…Smith will collapse the pocket…He will close the deal with hustle…It will never look pretty but it is effective.

Andrews and Smith in the run game…Andrews is a house…He struggles with technique. Aaron Smith should be able to play with his pads under Andrews most of the game…Smith won’t make plays behind the line of scrimmage…I doubt he is blown off the ball. I expect a ton of stalemates which equate to Steelers wins in the run game.

Andrews and Clark Haggans in pass pro….The Steelers need to make some noise from the left outside linebacker slot…Clark Haggans started the season hot…He hasn’t sniffed the quarterback recently. I expect Wood to sit out this week. Arnold Harrison did a nice job last week rushing the QB to give Haggans a blow.

Skill position matchups….

I discussed most in my opening…Things I would look for.

-Lawrence Timmons to continue to make plays. He is always around the ball. His arm length and explosiveness will make him special.

-Tyrone Carter to continue to play well…Carter is a great system player…He happens to fit the Steelers defense to a “T”

-The Steelers linebackers will play lights out in this game.

-Bryant McFadden’s return is huge for this defense. Fad looked great breaking on the ball.

-Townsend will sack Palmer…Townsend slid over the slot last week…Shea is a great Blitzer.

The Steelers will hurry Palmer…Palmer will panic and head into the tank.

Special Teams

Reed is a quality kicker

Speds is a stud.

The Steelers coverage and return units suck…So do the Bengal’s.

Score

Steelers 30

Bengal’s 24