Sunday, October 3, 2004
Bengals-Steelers: The Edge
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
The Bengals have split their past six games in Pittsburgh and won in 2003 for the first time at Heinz Field.
The Steelers don't intimidate the Bengals, and the Steelers are no longer the most physical team in the division. Baltimore is.
The Bengals can win if they stop the run and can pressure rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into a couple of mistakes. The Bengals defense should want to atone for its embarrassing 254-yard rush effort against the Ravens.
The good news for the Bengals is that Duce Staley is no Jamal Lewis and the new Jerome Bettis is not the same as the old Jerome Bettis.
The Bengals are nothing if not inconsistent. And they have rarely under Marvin Lewis followed one stinker with another.
Logic says no, but today feels - almost apologetically and inexplicably - like a Bengals victory.
---
QUARTERBACKS
Talk of benching Carson Palmer for Jon Kitna is nonsense. Kitna was not the reason the Bengals were 1-4 last season, and Palmer is not the reason the Bengals are 1-2 now. Palmer has an NFL-most 117 pass attempts after three games because the defense and the running game are not working. Palmer almost won the Jets game. He directed a game-winning drive against Miami. And he handled Baltimore's intense defensive
pressure as well as any young quarterback could.
Roethlisberger makes his first home start in Pittsburgh. He is a perfect fit in the Steel City but can be confused - at this stage of his career - by a defense. Look for the Bengals to borrow from Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and blitz frequently.
Edge: Bengals
---
|
THE ISOLATION BOOTH
|
|
LB Caleb Miller vs. C Jeff Hartings
The Bengals' rush defense is hemorrhaging yards at a clip of 166 a game, second worst in the league. Today, against a Steelers team determined to run the ball, the Bengals are applying a 225-pound tourniquet named Caleb Miller.
With the season-ending injury to middle linebacker Nate Webster, the Bengals will start rookie Miller at MLB.
But before he can try to deal with Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis, running backs who outweigh him handily, Miller will have to get away from the likes of center Jeff Hartings and fullback Dan Kreider.
Miller missed Game 2 after suffering an ankle injury in his opening-day start at outside linebacker. He played the inside in a 3-4 alignment in college and said he can think less playing the middle.
"I'm more comfortable there," Miller said. "Playing (outside), I wasn't as familiar with all the reads and responsibilities. ... I'm looking forward to being confident where I'm supposed to be."
If Bengals defensive tackles don't handle Hartings, the 301-center will fire off the line at Miller. A Pro Bowl alternate the past two years, Hartings is part of a line that blocked for 153 yards last week against Miami. Pittsburgh will run frequently to try to ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The 255-pound Kreider lifted Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis off his feet with a block two weeks ago.
Miller welcomes the challenge.
"Those are the most fun for a linebacker, going against a team that wants to run the ball instead of being bored dropping into protection all day," he said.
--Mark Curnutte
|
RUNNING BACKS
Staley has rushed 62 times for a 4-yard average. With Inspector Gadget offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey having moved on as coach in Buffalo, the Steelers are re-emphasizing the smash-mouth run game favored by Cowher. The Steelers have 96 rush attempts and have called 84 pass plays (77 attempts, seven sacks).
The Bengals have dropped to pass 127 times and run 83 times. Evening that ratio a bit today would be, as Lewis says, a good thing for the Bengals. Rudi Johnson has rushed 68 times for a 3.4-yard average. Rookie Chris Perry might have to wait again to make his debut, because Kenny Watson will be needed to help block blitzing Steelers linebackers.
Edge: Bengals
---
RECEIVERS
Two of the NFL's top receivers, Chad Johnson and the Steelers' Hines Ward, will resume a personal rivalry. But Johnson probably will be without his running mate, Peter Warrick, downgraded to doubtful Friday with a shin injury. T.J. Houshmandzadeh has emerged as a receiving threat with 11 catches for 167 yards.
Ward will benefit from the presence of second receiver Plaxico Burress, whose five receptions have averaged 20.6 yards.
Edge: Even
---
OFFENSIVE LINES
The Bengals will need a productive Levi Jones at left tackle to keep linebacker Joey Porter away from Palmer. If Jones' knee wears down again, Eric Steinbach will slide from guard to tackle with Larry Moore taking over at left guard.
The strength of the Steelers line is the left side in tackle Marvel Smith and guard Alan Faneca.
Edge: Steelers
---
DEFENSIVE LINES
The front three is the strength of the Steelers defense. Nose tackle Casey Hampton is a Pro Bowler. End Aaron Smith is good against the run. Kimo von Oelhoffen, the other end, is coming off an eight-sack season. The Steelers are ninth against the run.
Lewis constantly defends his front four, saying run defense requires 11 players. But it does start up front. The Bengals are second to last at 166 rushing yards allowed per game.
Edge: Steelers
---
LINEBACKERS
The loss of starting middle linebacker Nate Webster forces rookie Caleb Miller into the starting lineup. Outside linebacker Brian Simmons and Kevin Hardy must bring their "A" games if the Bengals are to stop the run.
James Farrior is Pittsburgh's most consistent linebacker. LeBeau has pumped life into the Steelers' linebacker-oriented defense.
Edge: Steelers
---
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The return of strong safety Rogers Beckett should help the run defense. Rookie Madieu Williams switches to free safety.
Strong safety Troy Polamalu is the Steelers' leading tackler with 27 and had his first interception last week. Free safety Chris Hope is a big hitter. The Bengals might go after cornerback Chad Scott with Chad Johnson.
Edge: Steelers
---
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Steelers might have their best coverage teams in years. The Bengals' reliable punt cover team gave up a game-breaking return against the Ravens. Advantage Bengals because of kicker Shayne Graham's production compared to Jeff Reed's.
Edge: Bengals
---
COACHES
Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher has re-assembled a strong staff. Lewis is trying to get the most out of a roster that is short on experience and - at this point - possibly talent.
Edge: Even
Who will win today's game at Heinz Field?
Results from our online poll of readers on the outcome of today's game:
