Steelers Lose To The Titans 26-23
Another road trip, another loss. Reminds one of Ground Hog Day.
In my last piece, I posted the following: "Hasselbeck cannot be taken lightly by the Steelers. He's a 14-year veteran...He's also a three-time pro-bowler."
The Titans edged the Steelers not only in the final score, but in several other important categories. Titans managed 21 first downs to the Steelers 19. Titans edged the Steelers slightly in time of possession but surpassed the Steelers in total plays 69-63. And even though total for both teams was 22, Titans almost doubled the Steelers average yards-per rush, 4.3 to 2.5.
Batch had 22 yards rushing on 10 carries. Redman had 14 on 5 carries. Mendenhall had 6 yards on 6 carries.
Redman came up big with 105 yards on 4 receptions while Wallace had 94 yards on 2 receptions. Heath Miller added 67 yards on 6 receptions.
Once again, Ben outplayed his counterpart. He was 24 for 40 with 356 total net yards passing compared to Hasselbeck's 265 yards. Each QB had 1 TD and 1 interception.
Steelers @ Titans
The news is not good regarding Polamalu and Woodley. Both players are expect to be sitting out on Thursday night against the Tenn. Titans.
Polamalu re-aggravated his calf against the Eagles last week.
The good news is Mendenhall and Harrison will likely play.
Ben Roethlisberger is within 300 yards of besting Terry Bradshaw's 29,989 yards for completing the most yards in Steeler history.
Steelers: The Good and The Bad
Steelers Edge Eagles 16-14
The Steelers should get down on their knees and thank the Good Lord Mike Vick is prone to turning the ball over---a lot. Even more disturbing for the Eagles, he's a fumble machine in the Red Zone.
Big Ben was able to come through with another winning drive converting a pair of third downs during a 64-yard drive. All that was left was for Shawn Suisham to nail a 34-yard field goal as the clock ran out. Coach Tomlin said it best: "We had the ball last...such is life."
Mendenhall had the best performance for a Steeler back this season with 101 all purpose yards.
Wallace and Brown combined for four drops with Antonio Brown's dropping one in the end zone.
It appeared Troy Polamalu aggravated a previous calf injury that kept him out of the previous two games. Woodley also left the game with an injury.
Steelers Lose To Raiders 34-31 As Defense Is AWOL
What can one write when Ben Roethlisberger---exhibiting a wasted All Pro Day---throws for four touchdowns to 10 different receivers for 384 yards and the Steelers still lose? In addition, time-of-possession for the Steelers exceeded Oakland's time of possession by a full 13 minutes. WTF?
Well it does not take a genius to figure it out. Steelers defense was AWOL. It was a classic defensive breakdown for a team long known for having a history of great defenses. In fact, the Raiders offense was able to slice through the Steelers defense like a knife through warm butter.
How easy was Carson Palmer moving his offense? He simply guided his team to five straight scoring drives.
Adding to the misery were the penalties. Antonio Brown had a 73 yard touchdown run called back for two penalties---an illegal block and one for holding. It also didn't help that Brett Kiesel was caught in the neutral zone thereby giving the Raiders a 1st and Goal on the 3-yard line culminating in a touchdown to Darrius Bey. Steelers committed 10 penalties.
"Football is not a contact sport. It's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport." Lombardi
Steelers vs. Raiders: Pre-Game Notes
- Sunday. 4:25. CBS
- Line: Steelers 3 1/2
- Harrison and Polamalu will not be playing against Oakland.
- RB Mendenall and LB Sylvester also ruled out for the game.
- TE Heath Miller ruled probable (Miller has two TD for seven catches).
- Rookie Mike Adams questionable (back spasms).
- Steelers rank 30th in running game (Oakland 31st)
- Steeler's offensive line remains depleted with the loss of DeCastro.
- Roethlisberger can take aim at Oakland's depleted secondary with WR's Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown
- This game would be a good opportunity for the Steelers to open up their running game. Dwyer is currently averaging 3.4-yard average while Redman is averaging an anemic 2.0 average.
- Expect LaMarr Woodley and Ryan Clark should be able to take charge of the defense against the Raiders. Steelers defense is still looking for its first interception.
- Palmer has averaged 342.8 passing yards with a 93.6 passer rating in five home starts for the Raiders.
Steelers Roll Over Jets 27-10
Steelers offense and defense were in total control over their convincing win over the NY Jets yesterday.
The story can be told all in the numbers.
Roethlisberger's dominant performance was one example. He went 24-for-31 for 275 yards and two touchdowns. The balanced attack resulted in the Steelers holding on to the ball for 36:36. Roethlisberger was so confident, he spread the ball to 10 receivers distressing the Jets secondary throughout the entire game. In addition, when plays broke down, Roethlisberger was typical Roethlisberger shaking off attacking defenders with relative ease. On one play, he escaped a rush throwing a 37-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace. Wallace's beautiful catch put the Steelers ahead 20-10 at that point in the game.
The Todd Haley effect was in full gear as described by former Steelers great, Jerome Bettis. "You saw a lot of quicker passes designed to get the ball out of his hand quicker...And you still saw some vintage Ben."
Helping Roethlisberger were Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, both making key catches in key situations. And then there was reliable Health Miller putting together two good games in a row.
While Antonio Brown also proved effective finishing with seven catches for 79 yards. He also ran the ball once for 9 yards.
Amazingly, the Steelers barely had a running game. RB Redman had only 25 yards on 12 carries. RB Jonathan Dwyer gained only 28 yards on 12 carries. Both backs averaged just over 2 yards per carry.
And while the Steelers offense did much to help the defense, the defense, without Polamalu and Harrison, came to play as well. Cornerback Ike Taylor took it to his former teammate Santonio Holmes all afternoon.
End Notes:
- The Steelers have won 10 straight home openers, the longest winning streak in the league.
- Roethlisberger is within 900 yards of surpassing 27,898 yards held by Terry Bradshaw.
Next Game:
Steelers at Raiders. 4:25 EDT
(Sources: Steelers.com/Yahoo News/NY Post/USA TODAY)
Steelers vs. Jets: What's Trending?
- Harrison and Polamalu missed practice again this week. Harrison's left knee is still on the mend. Polamalu is dealing with a calf injury.
- According to Coach Tomlin, Roethlisberger appears comfortable in running a no-huddle. Roethlisberger has been advocating for the no-huddle for years. He used it as his primary offense at Miami University.
- Roethlisberger completed 22 passes for 245 yards last week, two TD's and one interception last week.
- Roethlisberger is 24-5 in his last 29 home games with a 62.9 completion percentage, 43 TD passes and a 97.7 QB rating. He's 3-1 against the Jets.
- Steelers appear to be ready to give Jonathan Dwyer more carries. Dwyer ran nine times for 43 yards, a 4.8 -yard per carry and one TD that was overruled by replay in the loss to Denver last week. Tomlin did not commit to starting Dwyer.
- Tomlin has not said what his plans are for Rashard Mendenhall although he did practice.
- Outside Linebacker, LaMarr Woodley said, "We won't be 0-2." If history is any indication, Steelers have never been 0-2 under Tomlin.
- Jets are 1-8 all-time against the Steelers.
- Ryan Clark will be back according to all reports. If so, he will definitely give the defense a boost.
- Power Rankings USA TODAY: Steelers 14th. Jets 15th
James Harrison Donates $100,000 To Kent State, His Almer Mater
Steelers James Harrison donated $100,000 to his former school Kent State.
"I had a good time at Kent...I wanted to do something to give something back to the school, " said Harrison.
The donation will be used for scholarships. Also, Kent State announced the field house weight room will be named in his honor.
"We are extremely grateful to James for his commitment to Kent State and the football program, " said Joel Nielson, Athletic Director.
(Sources: Steelers.com, Tribune, USA TODAY, PG,)
