Is this week a “trap game” for the Steelers?
You know, when playing a team that has no running game, an injured starter QB, a defense like Swiss cheese, and a coaching staff that seems exhausted from the drama, media, etc…..it sounds like, as a player, you would love to go in there and steal a win right? I’m not so sure its going to be that easy. I hope it is, but I have to say I hope for our sake the Steelers don’t take the Bengals lightly because that would be embarrassing.
It would be nice to dominate and come out of the Queen City with a win, a healthy team, and a 5-1 record. On paper the Steelers should dominate this entire game, after all we are getting some starters back and resting our backups for the long haul as well. Brett Keisel is returning to the starting lineup, as is Willie Parker….perfect timing since Willie loves to run all over the Bengals defense.
My concern is that the Bengals always find a way to “get up” for the Steelers battle. They make it tough on us, and I don’t think that this weekend will be any exception. Marvin Lewis would love to rally his troops around Ryan Fitzpatrick (who?) and their offense and pull out a W to give them their first win, against their bitter rival no less. Despite all the disfunction in their locker room right now, we have seen the Bengals play the Cowboys pretty well, albeit with Carson Palmer at the helm.
I am sure that with a healthier Ben, a returning Willie Parker and a devastating defense we are more than equipped. However, look at the Redskins losing to the Rams on Sunday, Clinton Portis, who ran his butt off, admits that they overlooked the Rams, and ended up losing because of it. The Vikes barely beat the Lions, The Giants lost last night to Cleveland, and the Cowboys lost to the Cards. See a pattern? Yeah. Scary.
Tomlin is going to point out, I’m sure, that same message to his guys this weekend and hopefully we come home with a W!
Thanks for listening to me vent!
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Colleen Collins
October 15, 2008 at 10:00 am
Awesome article. You make some really excellent points. Lots of upsets this past week. Anything goes in the NFL. Should be an interesting game, but let’s hope not too interesting.
mark
October 15, 2008 at 5:21 pm
there is no question that this has all the markings for a “trap” game.However, with that being said, I believe that after the Steelers gutted out that win in Jax, I really dont think the Bengals will beat them. Its the type of game that if the Steelers get up on them right away, the Bengals may have a “here we go again” attitude. Division games are always unpredictable and hardly ever easy. Steelers have played well in Cincy and I think they will play well again. Im guessing a double digit win.
Tim
October 15, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I thought the Jacksonville game was a “trap” game. However, any time the Steelers play Cincinnati it scares me. It seems like the Bengals are always capable of putting up 25 or 30 points on the Steelers REGARDLESS of the situation.
Having said that, I predict a quality Steelers win:
Pittsburgh 34
Cincinnati 10
Look for “Fast Willie” to rush for 110 yards with a touchdown, “Big Ben” will toss 3 TDs (2 to Hines, 1 to Santonio) and Jeff Reed will kick 2 FGs…
HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
mark
October 16, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hey Tim, I hear Fast Willie isnt playing after tweaking his knee yesterday!!! They makes Moore the go to guy again. I still say the Steelers wont miss a beat and win buy double digits
Tim
October 16, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I heard about Fast Willie AFTER I made my bold prediction (oops – LOL!) Oh well, I agree with your prediction about Moore and the Steelers not missing a beat. I’ll still say 34-10!
I heard Fast Willie stepped in a hole in the field at practice!? Good grief! I’ll bet that hole got fixed pretty quick!
mark
October 17, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Tim, can you imagine losing your pro-bowl RB to a freak thing like that? I think your prediction is safe though. Even though I still have my doubts about Tomlin, He has done a good job in the face of injury this season. That being said, They better not look bad and have a let-down against a team like this! Not with the Giants, Redskins,Cowboys, Chargers,etc…. coming up.
Chad
October 18, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Hey everyone, thanks for your comments! I truly believe we can & will win this game, but you never know….Any Given Sunday…can hear that enough…barf…I look for Ben to put up big numbers b/c Moore is a great receiver out of the backfield and shifty in space. How much you wanna bet Leftwich is in @ 3rd qtr b/c Ben already has 4 TDs? haha….hate Carson