Big Ben to start vs. AFC North-leading Bengals

[rizzy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

A big game for the Pittsburgh Steelers means, of course, Big Ben for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After sitting out the overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a bruised and hyperextended left knee last weekend, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for an important AFC North matchup with the upstart and division-leading Bengals.

For the second time in his brief career, Roethlisberger will bump Tommy Maddox from the lineup. Maddox started last week in place of the injured Roethlisberger and completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with three interceptions and just one touchdown pass. The veteran fumbled away a field goal opportunity early in overtime and then, one series later, threw an interception that Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

It was only the 15th game-ending interception in overtime history.

Maddox apparently injured his right shoulder in the game. After the game, coach Bill Cowher acknowledged he nearly replaced the struggling quarterback with Charlie Batch, No. 3 on the depth chart. If Maddox's shoulder does not improve during the week, he could be the third quarterback at Cincinnati, with Batch moving up to the No. 2 spot.

The resurgent Bengals lead the division with a 5-1 record. The 3-2 Steelers are second. The game will be the first meeting between the franchises since November '90 in which both teams come in with winning records. Roethlisberger, whose knee began to feel better late last week and who lobbied Cowher to allow him to play, will encounter a Cincinnati defense that has been opportunistic this season.

Pittsburgh has won a league best nine straight road games dating back to last season and Roethlisberger, who is 17-2 as the Steelers' starter counting playoff games, has never lost a road start. In fact, the only team to which Roethisberger has lost is New England, in last year's AFC championship game, and earlier this season at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the final minutes of a win Oct. 10 at San Diego when Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo rolled into the quarterback's plant leg. The injury originally appeared to be season-threatening, but an MRI exam the next morning showed no structural damage.

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

We just need Odell to hit Ben so hard on the first drive he reconsiders playing.

[Steel Legends]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

A big game for the Pittsburgh Steelers means, of course, Big Ben for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After sitting out the overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a bruised and hyperextended left knee last weekend, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for an important AFC North matchup with the upstart and division-leading Bengals.

For the second time in his brief career, Roethlisberger will bump Tommy Maddox from the lineup. Maddox started last week in place of the injured Roethlisberger and completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with three interceptions and just one touchdown pass. The veteran fumbled away a field goal opportunity early in overtime and then, one series later, threw an interception that Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

It was only the 15th game-ending interception in overtime history.

Maddox apparently injured his right shoulder in the game. After the game, coach Bill Cowher acknowledged he nearly replaced the struggling quarterback with Charlie Batch, No. 3 on the depth chart. If Maddox's shoulder does not improve during the week, he could be the third quarterback at Cincinnati, with Batch moving up to the No. 2 spot.

The resurgent Bengals lead the division with a 5-1 record. The 3-2 Steelers are second. The game will be the first meeting between the franchises since November '90 in which both teams come in with winning records. Roethlisberger, whose knee began to feel better late last week and who lobbied Cowher to allow him to play, will encounter a Cincinnati defense that has been opportunistic this season.

Pittsburgh has won a league best nine straight road games dating back to last season and Roethlisberger, who is 17-2 as the Steelers' starter counting playoff games, has never lost a road start. In fact, the only team to which Roethisberger has lost is New England, in last year's AFC championship game, and earlier this season at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the final minutes of a win Oct. 10 at San Diego when Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo rolled into the quarterback's plant leg. The injury originally appeared to be season-threatening, but an MRI exam the next morning showed no structural damage.

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

We want Odell Thurman to play because I like to see when rookies run their mouths like he has. He won't be able to deal with our offense like he has with Titans, Texans, Bears, LOL!

Ben is fine and he makes plays back there. Don't forget about our great rookie TE, Heath Miller. This guy is going to be the best TE in the division.

[Columbusbengal]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

Well, if TJ can't play, Ward and TJ not playing would be a push. I suspect they'll both play at less than 100%

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Tickets for the game I heard are going for $250-$350 - I'm sure desperate Squealer fans will buy what few that can. It won't be like years past with tons of Squealer fans in PBS at least.

Can't wait for Sunday myself...

[redsbengalsbucks]

We want Odell Thurman to play because I like to see when rookies run their mouths like he has. He won't be able to deal with our offense like he has with Titans, Texans, Bears, LOL!

Can you produce any comment that Odell has made that would be considered running his mouth? It seems to me that Odell, the Rookie of the year candidate, has held up against any offense that he has seen so far ,including the Jags, as well as your so-called great defense has.

[Jet23]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

A big game for the Pittsburgh Steelers means, of course, Big Ben for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After sitting out the overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a bruised and hyperextended left knee last weekend, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for an important AFC North matchup with the upstart and division-leading Bengals.

For the second time in his brief career, Roethlisberger will bump Tommy Maddox from the lineup. Maddox started last week in place of the injured Roethlisberger and completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with three interceptions and just one touchdown pass. The veteran fumbled away a field goal opportunity early in overtime and then, one series later, threw an interception that Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

It was only the 15th game-ending interception in overtime history.

Maddox apparently injured his right shoulder in the game. After the game, coach Bill Cowher acknowledged he nearly replaced the struggling quarterback with Charlie Batch, No. 3 on the depth chart. If Maddox's shoulder does not improve during the week, he could be the third quarterback at Cincinnati, with Batch moving up to the No. 2 spot.

The resurgent Bengals lead the division with a 5-1 record. The 3-2 Steelers are second. The game will be the first meeting between the franchises since November '90 in which both teams come in with winning records. Roethlisberger, whose knee began to feel better late last week and who lobbied Cowher to allow him to play, will encounter a Cincinnati defense that has been opportunistic this season.

Pittsburgh has won a league best nine straight road games dating back to last season and Roethlisberger, who is 17-2 as the Steelers' starter counting playoff games, has never lost a road start. In fact, the only team to which Roethisberger has lost is New England, in last year's AFC championship game, and earlier this season at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the final minutes of a win Oct. 10 at San Diego when Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo rolled into the quarterback's plant leg. The injury originally appeared to be season-threatening, but an MRI exam the next morning showed no structural damage.

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

We want Odell Thurman to play because I like to see when rookies run their mouths like he has. He won't be able to deal with our offense like he has with Titans, Texans, Bears, LOL!

Ben is fine and he makes plays back there. Don't forget about our great rookie TE, Heath Miller. This guy is going to be the best TE in the division.

Oh yeah, you guys are sitting on an offensive juggernaut there in Pittsburgh. But with a D that good, all you need is what Big Ben has been giving you, no mistakes. You may be right about Heath, don't let him ride Big Ben's motorcycle...

[Steel Legends]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

A big game for the Pittsburgh Steelers means, of course, Big Ben for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After sitting out the overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a bruised and hyperextended left knee last weekend, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for an important AFC North matchup with the upstart and division-leading Bengals.

For the second time in his brief career, Roethlisberger will bump Tommy Maddox from the lineup. Maddox started last week in place of the injured Roethlisberger and completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with three interceptions and just one touchdown pass. The veteran fumbled away a field goal opportunity early in overtime and then, one series later, threw an interception that Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

It was only the 15th game-ending interception in overtime history.

Maddox apparently injured his right shoulder in the game. After the game, coach Bill Cowher acknowledged he nearly replaced the struggling quarterback with Charlie Batch, No. 3 on the depth chart. If Maddox's shoulder does not improve during the week, he could be the third quarterback at Cincinnati, with Batch moving up to the No. 2 spot.

The resurgent Bengals lead the division with a 5-1 record. The 3-2 Steelers are second. The game will be the first meeting between the franchises since November '90 in which both teams come in with winning records. Roethlisberger, whose knee began to feel better late last week and who lobbied Cowher to allow him to play, will encounter a Cincinnati defense that has been opportunistic this season.

Pittsburgh has won a league best nine straight road games dating back to last season and Roethlisberger, who is 17-2 as the Steelers' starter counting playoff games, has never lost a road start. In fact, the only team to which Roethisberger has lost is New England, in last year's AFC championship game, and earlier this season at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the final minutes of a win Oct. 10 at San Diego when Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo rolled into the quarterback's plant leg. The injury originally appeared to be season-threatening, but an MRI exam the next morning showed no structural damage.

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

We want Odell Thurman to play because I like to see when rookies run their mouths like he has. He won't be able to deal with our offense like he has with Titans, Texans, Bears, LOL!

Ben is fine and he makes plays back there. Don't forget about our great rookie TE, Heath Miller. This guy is going to be the best TE in the division.

Oh yeah, you guys are sitting on an offensive juggernaut there in Pittsburgh. But with a D that good, all you need is what Big Ben has been giving you, no mistakes. You may be right about Heath, don't let him ride Big Ben's motorcycle...

If this offense plays like it did prior to Ben getting hurt, no question we are going to beat up the Bengals. I respect the Bengals' offense, but I just don't feel the same about their defense. I will give credit to Thurman because I knew he'd be a good ILB (see NFLSD's 2004 Mock Draft), and your secondary is really underrated, but your DL is weak, and I think the Steelers exploit it in the running game.

This is too much fun!

[duus]

Curious what you think of your own defense though. I know they are always strong, but they have surely given up more 7-10+ yard running plays this year than previously. And they seem to be giving up 3rd down more than in the past. Also, a big thing the Steelers don't hold that they would have in the past is time of possession. Weekly this year, they have been on the losing end of this important statistic. Seems to me things might be more of a wash than you are giving credit for ... "If this offense plays like it did prior to Ben getting hurt, no question we are going to beat up the Bengals."

[Humanzee 5000]

Um, about heath miller, Every single one of our linebackers are quick enough to cover him, I'm not worried about him!

[gobengals19]

If this offense plays like it did prior to Ben getting hurt, no question we are going to beat up the Bengals. I respect the Bengals' offense, but I just don't feel the same about their defense. I will give credit to Thurman because I knew he'd be a good ILB (see NFLSD's 2004 Mock Draft), and your secondary is really underrated, but your DL is weak, and I think the Steelers exploit it in the running game.

This is too much fun!

I am also curious as to what is so much better about your offense this year as compared to last year when Pitt scored a whopping 21pts at home and a stellar 12 pts on the road against our DEF. Other than Ben is in his second year of course.

[membengal]

I like happy homers as much as the next guy, but, steel person, Heath Miller is NOT in Todd Heap's class at TE in this division. Maybe some day, but not now.

[Kazkal]

I like happy homers as much as the next guy, but, steel person, Heath Miller is NOT in Todd Heap's class at TE in this division. Maybe some day, but not now.

hopfully he can remain healthier then todd heap

[PMThor]

I gotta ask, is Ben going to be playing at 100%? I doubt it. Heh, heh, heh.

[HoosierCat]

If this offense plays like it did prior to Ben getting hurt, no question we are going to beat up the Bengals.

IMHO, if the Bengals bring their "A game," it isn't going to matter how the Steelers play. Bengals will roll. Steelers are good, no doubt...but the Bengals are better. Only question that remains is, will they play up to their abilities...or make the same kind of dumb penalty/mental mistakes that have been all too common lately?

Marvin's moves to sequester the team, at least from the Pitt media, tell me this is precisely the issue at hand.

Bottom line: Sunday should be a hell of a game.

[Jet23]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2194816

A big game for the Pittsburgh Steelers means, of course, Big Ben for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After sitting out the overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a bruised and hyperextended left knee last weekend, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for an important AFC North matchup with the upstart and division-leading Bengals.

For the second time in his brief career, Roethlisberger will bump Tommy Maddox from the lineup. Maddox started last week in place of the injured Roethlisberger and completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with three interceptions and just one touchdown pass. The veteran fumbled away a field goal opportunity early in overtime and then, one series later, threw an interception that Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

It was only the 15th game-ending interception in overtime history.

Maddox apparently injured his right shoulder in the game. After the game, coach Bill Cowher acknowledged he nearly replaced the struggling quarterback with Charlie Batch, No. 3 on the depth chart. If Maddox's shoulder does not improve during the week, he could be the third quarterback at Cincinnati, with Batch moving up to the No. 2 spot.

The resurgent Bengals lead the division with a 5-1 record. The 3-2 Steelers are second. The game will be the first meeting between the franchises since November '90 in which both teams come in with winning records. Roethlisberger, whose knee began to feel better late last week and who lobbied Cowher to allow him to play, will encounter a Cincinnati defense that has been opportunistic this season.

Pittsburgh has won a league best nine straight road games dating back to last season and Roethlisberger, who is 17-2 as the Steelers' starter counting playoff games, has never lost a road start. In fact, the only team to which Roethisberger has lost is New England, in last year's AFC championship game, and earlier this season at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the final minutes of a win Oct. 10 at San Diego when Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo rolled into the quarterback's plant leg. The injury originally appeared to be season-threatening, but an MRI exam the next morning showed no structural damage.

Now we just need Ward to play and then there can be no excuses.

We want Odell Thurman to play because I like to see when rookies run their mouths like he has. He won't be able to deal with our offense like he has with Titans, Texans, Bears, LOL!

Ben is fine and he makes plays back there. Don't forget about our great rookie TE, Heath Miller. This guy is going to be the best TE in the division.

Oh yeah, you guys are sitting on an offensive juggernaut there in Pittsburgh. But with a D that good, all you need is what Big Ben has been giving you, no mistakes. You may be right about Heath, don't let him ride Big Ben's motorcycle...

If this offense plays like it did prior to Ben getting hurt, no question we are going to beat up the Bengals. I respect the Bengals' offense, but I just don't feel the same about their defense. I will give credit to Thurman because I knew he'd be a good ILB (see NFLSD's 2004 Mock Draft), and your secondary is really underrated, but your DL is weak, and I think the Steelers exploit it in the running game.

This is too much fun!

I sure hope (for your sake) that Ben is ready to play, because I think Marvin and Chucky B. are going to make him beat the cats. I hope he likes 8 in the box. And you better hope that Ward is ready, because without him Ben will struggle. There is only so much A R E and that rookie TE of yours can do.