Browns Beat Steelers For First Time Since 2009
There's going a lot to be written about this game in the coming hours. I sense most reviews will focus on the overall sloppy play of the Steelers. All four Steelers running backs fumbled. And Charlie Batch threw three interceptions. Cleveland scored 17 or their 20 points of off Steeler turnovers. The following numbers tell the entire story:
- Steelers managed only 213 offensive yards.
- Batch was 20 for 34 for 199 yards.
- Browns edged out the Steelers in first downs 14-13.
- Steelers only rushed 37% of the time.
- Brown had a huge advantage in Time of Possession with 33:30 to Pittsburgh's 26:30.
- Rainey, Dwyer and Redman combined for a total of 43 rushing yards in 16 attempts.
- To illustrate how much the Steelers miss Roethlisberger, third down efficiency was a pathetic 11%.
Steelers are now sitting on 6-5. It's imperative they win four of their final five games. If not, Sunday, Dec. 30 (against Cleveland) could be the end of their season. Things can also change for the better quickly for the Steelers if Ben and Troy get back in the lineup. In addition, it would help immeasurably if the running backs can hold on to the ball.
Steelers (6-4) @ Cleveland (2-8) Sunday, Nov. 25, 1 p.m.
While the Steelers have dominated the Browns by winning 16 of the last 17 games, Steelers face some unique challenges Sunday.
Charlie Batch, 37 years old, will be under center with Roethlisberger and Leftwich out with injuries. All three QB's have a combined 21-2 record against Cleveland. In addition, Troy Polamalu is still recuperating from his calf injury although he did practice this week.
Charlie has extensive experience in the league with 15 years under center. He's appeared in 79 career games with 53 career starts. The Steelers have a high degree of confidence in Batch."He has command in this huddle, " said tackle Max Starks. "We have the utmost trust in him, " he added. Charlie has a 5-2 record as a starter with the Steelers.
Steelers Fall To 6-4 With Loss To Ravens
When a team's franchise quarterback is sitting on the sidelines with two pro bowlers like Polamalu and Antonio Brown, perhaps, as fans, we shouldn't be surprised at the outcome of this game. Add to this, Byron Leftwich making his first start in three years was sacked 3 times and intercepted once.
Leftwich started out of the blocks fast running for 31 yards for a touchdown giving the Steelers a 7-0 lead early in the game. Unfortunately, he spent most of the rest of the game picking himself up off the turf. With Leftwich, "fast" is all relative.
Even with Redman, Mendenhall and Dwyer, the Steelers couldn't get the train moving. Mendenhall showed he's still rusty around the edges. Redman left with a concussion and Dwyer only had 12 carries.
The bright spot remained with the defense. Ray Rice average a "whopping" 2 yards per carry while Torrey Smith had one catch for 7 yards. Ravens ended the game with only 200 net yards. In fact, Joe Flacco was not much better than Leftwich. He was 20 for 32 with 164 yards.
The loss dropped the Steelers two behind the Ravens in the division. The loss also marked the 6th time the Steelers lost to the Ravens when Roethlisberger was not leading the team. In that scenario, the Steelers are now 0-6.
The Numbers (If stats won games, Steelers would be winners today):
Steelers (6-3)-Ravens (7-2): Sunday, Nov. 18 @ Heinz Field 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
Steelers host Ravens tomorrow night at home. Steelers history with Ravens goes back to 1996. Steelers lead in the series 18-14. Their last regular season meeting took place on November 6, 2011, with Baltimore edging out Steelers 23-20.
In the 16 years, these two teams have battled, Steelers beat the Ravens 10 times in their first meeting. The Steelers are 8-3 at home against Baltimore during the regular season. 2011 marked the first time the Ravens swept the Steelers since 2006. Steelers are 0-4 without Roethlisberger against the Ravens.
If Steelers win, they will be 19-18 all time on Sunday Night Football including 7-5 at home. Ravens have won 11 straight AFC North Games. Their last divisional loss was to the Steelers in December of 2010.
Steelers, once again, will be wearing the 1934 throwback uniforms.
Leftwich and Mendenhall To Play Sunday
With Roethlisberger out due to injury (shoulder/rib), Byron Leftwich will start Sunday. Leftwich relieved Big Ben last week against Kansas City where they won 16-13 in OT. He was 7-14 for 73 yards.
Tomorrow night Pittsburgh will be relying on a quarterback who has not stated since 2009 when Leftwich was with Tampa Bay. He's been 0-6 as a starter.
"I feel good," said Leftwich earlier this week. "I feel like I got more reps with the guys. I feel as though I'm ready to roll...I'm excited. We all understand the importance of this football game."
Leftwich is likely to have Rashard Mendenall in the backfield. Mendenhall missed the last four games with the Steelers due to an Achilles injury. He will likely be splitting playing time with Redman and Dwyer.
In addition to Roethlisberger being out, Polamalu (calf), Antonio Brown (ankle), and Marcus Gilbert (ankle) are not expected to play Sunday. FS Ryan Clark, despite two concussions, is expected to play. "They said I'm cleared to play," said Clark. Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring) is questionable.
Steelers next meet Ravens at Baltimore on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at 4:25 p.m.
Steelers.com, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, ProSports Daily
Steelers Beat Chiefs 16-13 In Overtime: Big Ben Injured
Steelers edged out the Chiefs in OT last night but at a high cost. Roethlisberger suffered a right-shoulder injury in the third quarter. At the time of the injury, Ben was 9-18 for 84 yards and one touchdown.
Wallace caught a TD pass from Roethlisberger in the corner of the end zone with one hand that is today one of the 10 top plays on ESPN.
Steelers announced today Ben has a SC sprained , right throwing shoulder. According to Coach Tomlin, Roethlisberger is questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ryan Clark is being evaluated to determine if he suffered a concussion.
When Coach Tomlin was asked about Ben's injury and his concern: "...I don't live in a hypothetical world. I wait until I get information and then I respond accordingly to that information."
The Numbers:
- Steelers won their 15th consecutive Monday night game at home.
- Mike Tomlin is 4-0. (Cowher was 11-0 and Chuck Noll was 9-5).
- Steelers record now: 6-3. Last year: 6-3.
- Steelers won their 4th straight game.
- Byron Leftwich, playing for the first time in nearly two years. was 7 for 14 for 73 yards. Leftwich has a career record of 24-25 as a starter. He has not started since 2009 when he played at Tampa.
Next Game:
Steelers @Ravens Sunday, Nov. 18. 8:20 p.m. (may change due to flexible scheduling).
Steelers.com, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Sify News
Kansas City Chiefs @ Steelers Monday Nov. 12 8:30 p.m.
Series History:
- Series began in 1970.
- Steelers lead 18-9. At home, Steelers are 8-4 against Chiefs.
- Last regular season meeting: Nov. 27, 2011. Steelers 13-9.
Pre-Game Notes:
- Steelers have not lost at home on Monday night since 1991.
- Chiefs have not led during regulation time in this season's first half.
- Chiefs give up 126 rushing yards per game.
- Steelers are looking for their 11 win in last 12 home games.
- Steelers are looking to keeping their 8th opponent this season under 100 yards rushing.
- WR Antonio Brown officially out for this game (ankle) as are T Marcus Gilbert (ankle), S Troy Polamalu (calf), LB Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring).
- RB Mendenhall is doubtful (Achilles). LB Chris Carter is questionable (abdomen).
- Dwyer and Rainey are probable.
Steelers To Honor Veterans Monday Night
The "Salute To Service" game on Monday night will honor our nation's veterans. Events will include a "flyover." Fireworks will be on display prior to and after the flyover. On field presentations will be held honoring veterans from WWII to Afghanistan including Tuskegee Airmen and a Pearl Harbor survivor.
Steelers will be holding their annual "Salvation Army Red Kettle Collection" Monday night for disaster relief.
USA TODAY, Steelers.com, NY Post
Overcoming Penalties, Steelers Manage To Win
Depending how one defines "ugly" wins, this win just might fit that description. Despite racking up 87 yards in pass interference penalties including a personal foul penalty by Ryan Clark in the end zone, Steelers were able to rally back and beat the New York Giants 24-20.
Kudos are due to third-string back, Isaac Redman, who manged to run for 147 yards and scoring the winning touchdown with 4:02 left on the clock. He also found the Giant's soft spot by running up the middle all day. Mike Wallace (51 yards) and Emmanuel Sanders (4 yards) also scored touchdowns from Ben Roethlisberger. Wallace's touchdown appeared to give the Steelers the momentum they needed to pull the game out.
Steeler Corner, Steve McLendon, pressured Manning relentlessly. Ike Taylor's interception was the first interception by a Steeler corner this season. Chris Rainey had a respectable return of 68 yards.
This Steelers win snapped a Giants four game winning streak.
The Numbers:
- Time of Possession: Steelers 35:15 to Giants 24:45.
- Play Selection for Steelers: 46% PASSING and 54% RUSHING.
- Roethlisberger: 21/30 for 216 yards. Two TD's and 1 Interception.
- Redman: 147 yards on 26 attempts. 1 touchdown.
- Wallace: 66 yards on 3 receptions. 1 touchdown.
- Cotchery: 50 yards on 4 receptions.
- Heath Miller: 48 yards on 4 receptions.
- Sanders: 20 yards on 2 receptions. 1 touchdown.
- Antonio Brown: 19 yards on 2 receptions.
- Steelers: 109 yards on five penalties.
- Steelers now: 5-3. One year ago: 6-2
Next Game:
Monday, Nov. 12 Steelers @ home Against Kansas City 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Fox Sports, ESPN, Steelers.com
Steelers (4-3) At New York Giants (6-2)
Sunday. 4:25 p.m. CBS
Pre-Game Report
- Palomalu, Gilbert and Sylvester ruled out for tomorrow's game.
- Dwyer and Mendenhall doubtful at this time.
- Redman, Woodley and Clark probable.
- History: Giants lead 46-29-3
- Last Regular Season Meeting: Oct. 2008, Giants rallied from behind to beat Steelers 21-14.
- Eli Manning has won 8 consecutive games against AFC teams.
- Steelers are looking to improve to 3-0 against NFC teams.
- Tomorrow is only the fifth time both teams played each other since 1994.
- This game features two of three active quarterbacks who have won more than one Super Bowl.
- Steelers defense is looking to keep its seventh opponent in the last eight games to under 100 yards rushing.
- Roethlisberger looking to improve to 24-7 against NFC teams during the regular season.
- Roethlisgerger looking to record a passing rating of 120.0 for the fourth time this season.
- Steelers lead the league with a 51.9% third-down conversion rate.
- Steelers are first in the league in defense even with the lack of sacks and takeaways. Giants have 13 sacks and 13 takeaways.
- Steelers compensating more with nickel defense with the absence of Polamalu.
- Steelers ranked in the top five in pass defense, third-down defense and red-zone defense.
Steelers.com, USA TODAY, Pro-Sports Daily, Fox Sports
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