Steelers at Titans, 12/21

For all intents and purposes, the Steelers play for the top seed in the playoffs and home-field advantage when they meet the Titans today. The Steeelers are favored on the road against the Titans, who will be without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Crash on Smash and Dash. The Steelers' No. 2 rush defense has allowed just two teams to rush for more than 100 yards this season, though Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain had the most yards by an opposing back — 87 on 23 carries — last week. Their goal is to take away Chris Johnson and LenDale White and force Kerry Collins to beat them.

2. Harry Kerry. OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley did not have a sack against Baltimore, only the third time this season both players were shut out in the same game. One of the reasons is because the Steelers are dropping them more often in coverage, particularly in the first half. Not against Collins, who is not real mobile.

3. Set up the pass. Even though they didn't run for a lot of yards against the Ravens — 91 on 27 carries — the offensive line did a decent job creating seams for Willie Parker against a tough front seven. They will need to do that again to allow Ben Roethlisberger to make plays in the passing game, something he didn't do when necessary against the Ravens.

Prediction: Steelers 14, Titans 12

Steelers at Ravens, 12/14

Today, the Steelers will be in Baltimore to take on the Ravens. The Steelers are 10-3 and the Ravens are 9-4.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Stop the run. The Ravens are one of two teams to rush for more than 100 yards against the Steelers' No. 1 rush defense (the Patriots are the other), and they did it by pounding the ball with Le'Ron McClain. That allowed them to keep pressure off quarterback Joe Flacco, who was playing in his third game at the time.

2. Match the intensity. The first meeting between the teams was the most physical of the season for the Steelers, and it forced coach Mike Tomlin to curtail his practice schedule the following week. The Ravens will try to overwhelm the Steelers, something they always do at home, one reason the Steelers lost their past five games in Baltimore.

3. Confuse Flacco. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau tried to do that in the first meeting, but Flacco played. He is much further along now, and will not hesitate to attack downfield, something he didn't do much in September.

Game Prediction: Steelers 14, Ravens 10

Steelers vs Cowboys, 12/7

Today the Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys in a huge matchup with playoff implications. The Steelers have a one-game lead over the Ravens for the division lead and have a one-game lead over the Jets for #2 seed and a first-round bye. The Cowboys, on the other hand, lose the tie-breaker against the Falcons and would currently just miss the playoffs.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Put Romo on alert: The Cowboys will have to pick their poison, deciding if they want to control Harrison from the right side or Woodley from the left. They will need to use an extra back or tight end on Harrison, who uses his speed, strength and low center of gravity to get around every top tackle in the league. He is also very disruptive, forcing two more fumbles on sacks against the Patriots.

2. T.O. stands for Take Out: And that's what the Steelers will try to do with Owens, the Cownboys big-play receiver. The Steelers are the only team in the league to allow just one pass longer than 40 yards, and even that came on a deflected pass. In the past six games, they have done a good job of having CB Ike Taylor shadow the other team's top receiver and rotate their coverages to take away the big play. Owens is just another receiver without the big play.

3. Beware of Ware: QB Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked just twice in the past 10 quarters and has done a good job stepping away from pressure when it has come. Also, the backs did a good job in blitz pickup against the Patriots, something at which they will have to be even better against the Cowboys. It will be up to RT Willie Colon and TE Matt Spaeth to keep Ware away from the pocket. [note: Ware will be a game-time decision.]

Game Prediction: Steelers 28, Cowboys 17

Steelers at Patriots, 11/30

Today, the Steelers, who are 8-3 and a game ahead of the Ravens, take on the Patriots, who are 7-4 and a game behind the Jets. The game has huge importance for both teams.

The Ravens play the Bengals today so they should improve to 8-4. A Steelers loss would put them in a tie. On other hand, a win helps the Steelers keep pace with the Jets for the #2 seed and a potential first-round bye in the playoffs.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Roll Cassel. As he has developed, so has his team's reliance on him to make the offense look as productive as it was last season. Cassel has attempted 94 passes the past two games and thrown for over 400 yards in each, looking a lot like Tom Brady in the process. Shut him down, and the rest of the offense is tame.

2. Boss Moss. The Steelers have done a wonderful job of shutting down just about every top receiver in the league, everyone from Plaxico Burress to Santana Moss to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. And they just don't allow big pass plays. The longest pass against them this season is 65 yards, and that came on a deflection that should have been an interception.

3. Attack deep. The Patriots have had problems applying pressure on the quarterback, although most teams -- aside from the Bengals -- do not seem to have that problem against the Steelers. Roethlisberger should be able to make big plays against a weak Patriots secondary, if he gets the time.

Prediction: Steelers 14, Patriots 13

Willie Parker - Questionable vs Patriots

Willie Parker, swelling in his knee, is questionable for Sunday's game at New England.

Parker has played in 6 games this season and has missed 5 games. If Parker doesn't play Sunday, Mewelde Moore will start in his place.

On the season, Parker has 485 yards and 4 TDs on 126 carries. Moore has 432 yards and 5 TDs on 109 carries.

The Steelers are currently 8-3 and 1 game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who are in Cincinnati this weekend.

Steelers vs Chargers, 11/16

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the San Diego Chargers this afternoon. The Steelers are currently tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. The Chargers are 4-5 and a game behind the Broncos, but still have a ton of talent.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Try lightning-quick passes: One of the things Roethlisberger did well against the Colts last week was take shorter drops and convert quicker passes, something he needed to do to take the pressure off the pocket and limit the amount of hits on his sore right shoulder.

2. Prevent the big pass: The Steelers will be without two of their top three cornerbacks, Bryant McFadden (broken forearm) and Deshea Townsend (hamstring), forcing second-year corner William Gay to make his first start and elevating seldom-used Anthony Madison to nickel back. That could create a matchup problem with wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

3. Give Rivers the shivers: Heinz Field sits at the juncture where three rivers meet, but what the Steelers linebackers want to do is meet at Philip Rivers. The Steelers have a league-best 34 sacks, getting a combined 20.5 from outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, and they cannot let Rivers sit in the pocket and wait for his receivers to get open, not against a banged-up secondary.

Game Prediction: Steelers 28, Chargers 20

Steelers vs Colts, 11/9

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) host the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) Sunday. On the injury front, Willie Parker is out, but Ben Roethlisberger's status is uncertain.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Pressure Manning. The defense leads the league with 35 sacks, and the biggest reason is OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, who have combined for 19.5, the most by any tandem in the league. The Steelers do not want to give Manning time to set up and get comfortable in the pocket and will try to disrupt his timing with blitz pressure.

2. Prevent big plays. Despite missing two starters, the secondary has been very stingy and very effective, not allowing a pass play longer than 35 yards. One of the reasons is CB Ike Taylor, who has shadowed Plaxico Burress and Santana Moss the past two weeks and held them to a combined five catches for 29 yards.

3. Run, run, run. Willie Parker finally returned after missing four games with a sprained knee and, while his numbers were modest against the Redskins (70 yards on 21 carries), he showed no problem cutting and accelerating. The Colts have one of the worst rush defenses in the league, allowing an average of 143.6 yards per game.

Mewelde Moore will have to "run, run, run" as Willie Parker will be out this week.

Game Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Indianapolis Colts 17

Willie Parker out Sunday vs Colts

Willie Parker is out against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. Mewelde Moore will start in his place. Parker is only expected to miss one game.

Mewelde Moore is averaging 1 more yard per carry than Willie Parker on the season. Moore has 320 yards on 69 carries. Parker has 333 yards on 87 carries.

The Steelers are 3-1 in the games that Parker has played. They are 3-1 in games that he has missed.

Roethlisberger's status unknown for Colts game

As Ben Roethlisberger's replacement last night, Byron Leftwich filled in admirably. Leftwich completed 7/10 for 129 yards and threw a TD and no INTs.

"He made a lot of friends in there," coach Mike Tomlin said.

"He's an experienced player. He's not new to this," running back Willie Parker said. "Nobody was surprised by how well he came out and played. Ben went down and Byron seamlessly came in and did what he had to do."

Roethlisberger had an MRI on his reinjured shoulder today, but his status is still unknown for Sunday's game vs the Colts.

On the season, Roethlisberger has a 79.6 QB Rating and has thrown 10 TDs to 8 INTs.

Steelers vs Redskins, 11/3

After a heart-breaking loss to one NFC East team in primetime, the Steelers get ready to do battle with another on Monday Night Football. The Steelers head into the game at 5-2 in first place in the AFC North while the Washington Redskins are 6-2 and in 2nd-place in the NFC East.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Stop Portis. The Steelers haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, and only one team has rushed for over 100 yards against them. They also held the Giants' rushing offense, ranked No. 1 in the NFL, to just over half their per-game average. Portis has rushed for more than 120 yards in the past five games.

2. Pressure Campbell. The Redskins quarterback was very efficient and proficient against the Lions, and the Steelers defense, which has 25 sacks, needs to pressure him into poor throws. The Steelers did not have a sack against Eli Manning and he eventually hurt them with key plays.

3. Be the boss of Moss. The Steelers' coverage units -- on punts and kickoffs -- have been very good. Sure, the Giants had a 28-yard punt return against them, the longest Pittsburgh has allowed this season, but Santana Moss is the latest of solid returners the Steelers will attempt to stop.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Redskins 17

Holmes to start versus Redskins

Santonio Holmes, who wasn't suspended but instead inactive for last week's game vs the Giants after getting caught with marijuana, will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they face the Redskins. Holmes has a November 24th court date.

"As a football team and an organization, in terms of our view of the situation, we've laid it to bed," Tomlin said Tuesday. "Satisfactory action has been taken from our standpoint. ... For us, we're moving forward."

On the season, Holmes has 22 receptions for 360 yards and 1 TD.

Steelers vs Giants, 10/26

Today, the 5-1 Pittsburgh Steelers host the 5-1 New York Giants in the league's marquee match-up of the week.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Pressure Manning. The Steelers have been generating a lot of pressure on the quarterback, particularly with outside linebackers Harrison and Woodley. They are the top sack tandem in the league and have combined for 16 of the team's 25 sacks. In addition, they have forced six turnovers, one for a touchdown.

2. Be Giant killers on the O-line. The Steelers think they have tightened their pass protection. Last week was the first time they didn't allow a sack in a game. The protection will need to be tight against the Giants, who generate pressure on the quarterback with their defensive linemen.

3. Gum the run. The defense has done a good job eliminating big plays, especially in the running game. Opponents are averaging just 2.9 yards per attempt and haven't had a run longer than 15 yards. The Steelers are the only team to not allow a run longer than 20 yards this season.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Giants 20

Steelers vs Bengals, 10/19

Today, the 4-1 Pittsburgh Steelers take on the 0-6 Cincinnati Bungles Bengals. The Steelers are nearly 10-point favorites on the road, but is this a trap game?

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Run the ball. The best way for the offensive line to gain cohesion and increase efficiency is run the ball, something they were able to do in their last outing, even without Willie Parker. But Parker should be back against the Bengals, and Mewelde Moore has shown he can alleviate some of the workload.

2. Take shorter drops. Roethlisberger has been under a lot of pressure, but he discovered in the second half against the Jaguars he could have success -- and limit his hits -- by throwing off three-step drops. Part of the problem with some of his sacks has been holding on to the ball too long.

3. Prevent third downs. The defense is efficient shutting down the run and getting off the field on third down. One problem against the Bengals, though, is their ability to get third-down stops with wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who runs routes underneath the coverage.

Game Prediction: Steelers 35, Bengals 14 (no trap)

Steelers vs Jaguars, 10/5

After facing a tough, physical Ravens team, the Steelers head to the road to face another tough, physical team in Jacksonville. To make matters worse, they do so on a short week.

Here are the keys to tonight's game for the Steelers according to The Sporting News:

1. Make plays in the passing game. The Steelers will be without their top two running backs -- Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall -- and that will likely put more pressure on Ben Roethlisberger to make big plays similar to the ones he made in the second half against the Ravens. The Steelers believe they can attack the Jaguars secondary.

2. Reduce turnovers. In what is usually a tight defensive matchup, the Steelers must eliminate giveaways, which have plagued them the past two games. Roethlisberger committed five turnovers in three games, including three fumbles and two interceptions. The fumbles were a result of heavy pressure in the pocket.

3. Corral Garrard. The sight of Garrard scrambling 32 yards to set up the winning last-minute field goal in last year's playoff loss at Heinz Field is a disturbing memory. Garrard's ability to run will force the Steelers defensive lineman to play contain, which will limit their opportunities to pressure the pocket in passing situations.

Game Prediction: Steelers 17, Jaguars 13

Steelers lose Mendenhall/Simmons for season, sign Davenport

Last night's victory over the Baltimore Ravens was huge. However, in the process the Steelers lost some key players: 1st-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall and Kendall Simmons.

Rookie first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall and veteran guard Kendall Simmons will both go on injured reserve and will be out for the season. Mendenhall, who had his first NFL start in the win over the Ravens, has a fractured shoulder. Simmons has "an achilles" according to coach Mike Tomlin.

With Willie Parker already hurt and out week 5, the Steelers added Najeh Davenport today.

Big Ben's status for week 3

Roethlisberger played despite reports (erroneous according to HC Mike Tomlin) that Big Ben had a separated shoulder.

Tomlin says Roethlisberger has a sprained AC joint and that he will play Sunday vs the Eagles, even though he won't practice Wednesday.

"I have no idea where that report came from," Tomlin said. "It didn't come from me or my medical staff. If anybody in here has got any information about where that report came from, send them to me."

According to Tomlin, "he said it feels better than it did a week ago" so there's no reason to believe he won't play in week 3 after completing 12 of 19 passes in week 2.

Steelers Roster Moves to Get to 53-man Limit

The have placed back-up QB Charlie Batch on the Reserved/Injured List and placed the following the 3 players in the Waived/Injured List: LB Arnold Harrison, LB Mike Humpal and S Ryan Mundy.

Here are the other 18 players the Steelers cut yesterday:

LB Patrick Bailey, WR/KR Eddie Drummond, P Paul Ernster, FB Billy Latsko, OG Doug Legursky, OG Matt Lentz, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, DE Jordan Reffett, WR Willie Reid, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod, TE Lee Vickers, RB Justin Vincent and CB Travis Williams.

Marvin Allen was added to practice squad as an international player. The NFL allows 8 players to be added to the practice squad, but an international player can be added as well without counting towards the 8-player limit.

James Farrior gets 5-year extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers and James Farrior agreed to a 5-year contract extension that is more heavily weighted in the first 2 years ($10 million). The total value of the contract is $18.25 million.

"That's the game plan, to finish out my career here," Farrior said. "The Steelers have been good to me, and I have put all my heart and soul into this, so I'll just try to close it out."

"James has played at an extremely high level the entire time I have been here," second-year coach Mike Tomlin said. "Not only is he an outstanding player, he's also an outstanding professional and, of course, he's an outstanding leader for us."

Along with Timmons and Woodley, the Steelers have one of the best LB corps in the league. They will continue to do so for several years as Farrior should finish his career in Steel Town.

Steelers sign Byron Leftwich

Today, the Steelers signed Byron Leftwich to a 1-year, $605k deal. Only $445k of the $605k will count towards the Steelers cap, because it is a minimum exception contract.

The Steelers also looked at Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper is interested in a starting gig somewhere so I'm not sure why he came in. Nonetheless, Leftwich was chosen partly because of his willingness to accept the backup QB role.

Leftwich was taken in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft by Jacksonville, but he's battled injuries over the past couple of years. After the emergence of David Garrard, the Jaguars released Leftwich. He signed with Atlanta, only to be released by the Falcons in February.

Hefty Praise from Kevin Greene

How good is LaMarr Woodley going to be? If you ask Kevin Greene, he says "He's going to be better than me." Considering where Greene ranks on the All-time sacks list (#3), it would be tough to find more meaningful praise for Woodley.

Plus, the Steelers have Pro Bowler James Harrison on the other side.

"When James doesn't want to be blocked, it's very difficult to block him," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "He's a Pro Bowl player for a reason."

The 6-foot, 242-pounder was cut by the Steelers three times before sticking with the team, and he understands as well as anyone how tough it is to get to where he is -- and to stay there.

"If you're satisfied, then you might as well retire," said the 30-year-old Harrison, who was voted Steelers MVP by his teammates last season. "I want to improve on last year, so you look at those numbers, and you tell me."

When discussing the the duo, Greene says:

"You've got one who is a bona fide Pro Bowler already and the other has a great gift," Greene said. "I think they're going to be fine."

Couldn't agree more with Greene. Expect a lot more of these...

2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule

Looking at the Steelers 2008 schedule, which is the league's toughest on paper, there is not 1 gimme game on the schedule. Their opponents, which have a cumulative 153-103 record in 2007, fall into 2 categories: teams with at least a .500 record and/or division foes. The only 2 opponents that finished 2007 with a sub-.500 record are Cincinnati (7-9) and Baltimore (5-11). My guess is both teams will be better in 2008.

Here is the Steelers' schedule:

Sun. 9/7 - Houston
Sun. 9/14 - at Cleveland
Sun. 9/21 - at Philadelphia
Mon. 9/29 - Baltimore
Sun. 10/5 - at Jacksonville
bye week
Sun. 10/19 - at Cincinnati
Sun. 10/26 - NY Giants
Mon. 11/3 - at Washington
Sun. 11/9 - Indianapolis
Sun. 11/16 - San Diego
Thu. 11/20 - Cincinnati
Sun. 11/30 - at New England
Sun. 12/7 - Dallas
Sun. 12/14 - at Baltimore
Sun. 12/21 - at Tennessee
Sun. 12/28 - Cleveland

The Steelers' biggest test (toughest stretch) will be the period from 11/9 to 12/7, when the Steelers face the Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Cowboys. Those 4 teams are in the top 4-5 teams in the NFL in most Power Rankings.

Considering the other 3 AFC North teams have to face the NFC East and AFC South as well, I expect the division winner to win only 10 games this year. Provided the Steelers win the division (which I expect), the Steelers will be battle-tested heading into the playoffs. At least, that's the glass-half-full outlook I prefer to have.