BadCo

By Scouts, Inc.


Why To Watch
Cincinnati's Carson Palmer and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger are quickly developing into two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Palmer has had a quarterback rating of 100 or higher in each of his past nine games and that ties Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning for a league record. The Steelers have lost just two regular-season games since Roethlisberger took over as the starter in early 2004.
It appears that Pittsburgh will at least have the edge in the running game. After all, the Steelers' run defense hasn't surrendered a 100-yard rusher in nineteen games. The only problem for Pittsburgh fans is Cincinnati RB Rudi Johnson is the last back to have done it. Johnson needs to have another strong game if the Bengals are to win this critical AFC North matchup.


When the Steelers have the ball
Rushing: Rookie MLB Odell Thurman has excellent initial quickness and he is a reliable tackler that can limit backs' production after contact but he is obviously inexperienced and he gets caught out of position at times. That's not good news for Cincinnati fans because Pittsburgh has the personnel to exploit this weakness. Pittsburgh's offensive line does an excellent job of sustaining blocks and creating cut back lanes. RB Willie Parker shows good vision for such a young back and he will take advantage of any seams the offensive line creates for him. While No. 2 Jerome Bettis is best known for his ability to pick up the tough yards in short-yardage situations and run over defenders once in the open field, he has deceptively quick feet and good athletic ability. He also reads blocks well and can cut back when the opportunity presents itself. It's also important to note that the Bengals' front seven lacks ideal depth and it's vulnerable to wearing down over the course of the game. Players are most prone to making mistakes when they get tired so don't be surprised to see the Steelers' backs rip off some long runs late in the second half.

The expected return of Roethlisberger will have just as big an impact on the running game as it does on the passing game. With Roethlisberger in the lineup, defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan will have to respect Pittsburgh's ability to stretch the field more than he would if Tommy Maddox were to get the start. As a result, Bresnahan would be far more hesitant to walk SS Kevin Kaesviharn up to the line of scrimmage.

Passing: Rookie TE Heath Miller appears to be getting better with every snap and he could have his most productive game working against the Bengals safeties, which have not played with great discipline. Both Kaesviharn and FS Madieu Williams fill the gaps hard when they read run, making them vulnerable to play action. While Miller doesn't have elite top-end speed, he reaches it quickly, he has excellent body control and he has the hands to make the acrobatic catch downfield. In addition, it's unknown at this point if WR Hines Ward, who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, will be available. Ward is a crisp route-runner that rarely gets pushed around and he consistently makes the tough catch in traffic, making him an excellent safety valve for Pittsburgh's quarterbacks. Miller is an excellent possession receiver as well and he will have to pick up some of the slack again if Ward can't go or he is less than 100 percent healthy.

When the Bengals have the ball
Rushing: Cincinnati's two keys to success running the ball are making the Steelers' front seven prove it is as good as everyone says it is and getting Johnson 20-plus carries. Pittsburgh's defense is already one of the most talented in the league so the Bengals' blockers cannot help it out by missing an assignment or failing to sustain a block once in position. They must be consistent and efficient because Cincinnati won't get great push up front working against the Steelers' front three and their linebackers will make some plays at the line of scrimmage consequently. However, SS Troy Polamalu and Pittsburgh's linebackers can be overaggressive and they will over pursue in certain situations. The Bengals must get into position and sustain their blocks even if they don't get movement so Johnson can take advantage when Pittsburgh's front seven makes a mistake. Giving Johnson that many carries is important because he is a power back that gets better with each carry and he has the bulk to wear the Steelers' down over the course of the game. He carried the ball 24 times when he rushed for 124 yards against Pittsburgh in early 2004. The fact that his longest run went for 15 yards shows how consistently successful he was in that game.

There is one concern about Johnson however and that's his impatience. While he has improved in this area, Johnson doesn't always give his blockers time to get into position and backs tend to speed their play up when they face the Steelers' aggressive scheme. Johnson needs to stay patient and give the play time to develop or Pittsburgh's front seven will have success beating Cincinnati's blockers to the point of attack.

Passing: NT Casey Hampton is best known for his ability to stuff the run but he's in a position to make a substantial impact as a pass rusher this week. One of the reasons Palmer has been so successful is his footwork. He wastes no motion getting his feet set and that allows him to get rid of the ball quickly without sacrificing accuracy or velocity. Hampton is a powerful bull rusher that can collapse the pocket and that will force Palmer to roll to one side or another. Although Palmer is mobile enough to make plays on the move, the outside linebackers in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme have excellent outside leverage because of where they line up. That will make it difficult for Palmer to get outside the pocket. If Pittsburgh doesn't get good push up the middle, Palmer will be able to avoid the pressure coming off the edge by simply stepping up into the pocket.

The chess match between Palmer as well as offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be fun to watch and play a big role in the outcome of this game. Palmer has significantly improved his ability to prepare for defenses since entering the league and he is naturally more comfortable on game day as a result. However, LeBeau is one of the most creative and aggressive coordinators in the league. He will throw a few wrinkles at Palmer in an effort to confuse Palmer's reads and disrupt his timing. Palmer must be willing to throw the ball away when he isn't sure of the coverage and Bratkowski must help him make the sound adjustments when Palmer gets to the sideline









Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Steelers and Bengals. Now they're back with a second look.

• Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger (along with Eli Manning) have emerged as the future of the quarterback position. Both players were very high draft picks -- with Palmer going first overall -- and have quite a few similarities. Both have excellent size, see over the line of scrimmage easily and have the bulk to take hits and fend off tacklers.
They have two of the biggest arms in the NFL, can make all the throws asked of them and throw impressive deep balls. Both are mobile enough to make plays with their feet and elude the rush. Both players are also in very good situations; they're surrounded by a physical running attack, strong offensive lines and playmakers in the passing game.

These quarterbacks also are amongst the best in the business at protecting the football and rarely force the ball into coverage, a very impressive trait for such young players. The physical differences between the two are minimal. Palmer gets rid of the ball quicker and has a prototypical fluid over-the-top release that appears absolutely effortless. He already throws the football as well as anyone in the NFL.

Roethlisberger is better when the play breaks down and is forced to create on the fly. He is also the more physical player, doesn't shy away from contact with the ball in his hands and can be a load for defenders to bring down in the pocket. Watching these two play against each other at least twice a year for years to come will truly be a treat.

• Steelers' starting CB Deshea Townsend may not play due to a hamstring injury and second-year CB Ricardo Colclough is out. This leaves the Steelers with aging veteran Willie Williams, emerging player Ike Taylor, undersized special team ace Chidi Iwuoma and second-round pick Bryant McFadden. McFadden was inactive for the first four games of the season.

This could be a serious problem against the likes of Chad Johnson and the rest of the Bengals' big, talented receivers. Expect Cincinnati to do everything they can to exploit this mismatch and to try and get Johnson on Williams. Williams will really struggle from an athletic standpoint with the superstar Johnson. The Bengals should use quite a few three-WR sets to spread out the Steelers' 3-4, and allow Palmer to find mismatches against overmatched corners.

• Steelers' SS Troy Polamalu has emerged as one of the top defensive players in the NFL and is extremely disruptive. Carson Palmer must account for him on every snap, because he's adept playing deep in coverage, man-to-man and short underneath zones. He is an exceptional, explosive blitzer.

The Steelers' blitz him and other defensive backs from all angles on throwing downs, and get quite a few blind side shots on quarterbacks. Palmer needs to be quick to recognize the different blitz packages, find and account for Polamalu on every snap and get the ball out of his hands quickly.

• The Steelers' top three receivers are all listed as questionable. Hines Ward (hamstring), Antwaan Randle El (foot) and Cedrick Wilson (wrist) could all conceivably miss Sunday's game. This should put the onus on Quincy Morgan and TEs Jerame Tuman and Heath Miller to make plays in the passing game. Pittsburgh may split Miller out wide more than he has been accustomed to.

Keep an eye throughout the week to see the status of these three weapons. Hines Ward has only missed one football game in his career due to injury (last week), and his toughness is unquestionable. We're guessing that Ward starts the game in this crucial division contest.

• The Steelers rushed for over 150 yards in both contests last season against Cincinnati, and the Bengals have yet to see a power running attack like the one the Steelers will bring on Sunday. The Steelers will attack the middle of the Bengals' defense and make their defensive tackles prove they can be stout for 60 minutes at the point of attack. Pittsburgh will use RBs Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis. Bettis has been very productive over his career against Cincinnati, and although he was hardly used in last week's loss, expect a major dose of the Bus in Cincinnati.

The Bengals' young linebackers are prone to over-pursuing run plays and are not as gap-sound as needed against such a prominent rushing attack. Parker could exploit this for long runs on cutbacks. Especially, with the receiver injuries and a quarterback who isn't 100% healthy, the Steelers will run the ball an awful lot -- even by their standards. Expect them to begin to rip off long runs in the second half. They need to control the clock and keep the dangerous Bengals' offense off the field.

• The Bengals may struggle running the ball against the Steelers' defense. Pittsburgh has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 19 straight games, including the playoffs. The Steelers' front three has been very stout and NT Casey Hampton in particular is reasserting himself as one of the very best in the business.

Bengals' rookie OC Eric Ghiaciuc will need quite a bit of help trying to move the massive Hampton off the line of scrimmage. Hampton's extra attention will free up the Steelers' inside linebackers to attack downhill. If the Steelers make an offense one dimensional, they are relentless in attacking the quarterback and really thrive late in games after teams abandon the run.

The Bengals must keep pounding the ball with both of their running backs and could use Chris Perry a lot out of three-WR sets, where they could also throw him short, high-percentage passes to help slow down the Steelers' pass rush.

• The Steelers' rookie TE Heath Miller is becoming more of a factor in the Steelers' passing game each week, and this week he will be called upon more than ever. With the top three receivers hindered by injuries, Miller may line up wide on throwing downs and could become a prime target for Roethlisberger.

On early downs, the Steelers will motion Miller to get him against Bengals' SS Kevin Kaesviharn, who may have to crowd the line of scrimmage to help out against the run. Kaesviharn is notorious for biting on play action, and Miller may sneak behind him for a big play down the middle of the field. Bengals' starting FS Madieu Williams is also banged up with a shoulder injury, and the overall safety depth is a considerable weakness of their team.

• Like any big game, turnovers will be of the utmost importance. Roethlisberger has not thrown an INT this season, and Palmer also does an excellent job of protecting the football. Both of these defenses are very opportunistic and thrive on creating turnovers. Cincinnati in particular has excelled in this area this season. So, something will have to give. It is almost redundant to discuss positive turnover ratio resulting in wins, but in a game that has teams as evenly matched as these, the team that wins the turnover battle will win the game.

Special Teams
The Steelers' kickoff coverage has been suspect all year. They have allowed big returns at inopportune times late in close ball games. This is an area of their team that clearly needs to be firmed up and can cost Pittsburgh valuable field position in what should be a very close game.

Both of Pittsburgh's returners, Randle El and Morgan, broke long returns last week against the Jaguars. Randle El was explosive on a punt return for a TD, but has a foot issue and is questionable for this game. Morgan broke a 74-yard return to open overtime, but is the Steelers' fourth WR and the three WRs ahead of him are all injured, so it is unclear if he will continue to return kicks.

Matchups
• Bengals WR Chad Johnson against Steelers CB Willie Williams
• Steelers FB Dan Krieder against Bengals MLB Odell Thurman
• Steelers TE Heath Miller against Bengals SS Kevin Kaesviharn
• Steelers NT Casey Hampton against Bengals OC Eric Ghiaciuc
• Steelers SS Troy Polamalu against Bengals QB Carson Palmer

Scouts' Edge
AFC North superiority is at stake in the biggest game in Cincinnati in over a decade. Traditionally, these two teams are on opposite ends of the AFC North spectrum, but Cincinnati will come out the gates with a lot of fire to prove that they are the new kings of the North. Pittsburgh needs this game to put pressure on the Bengals, while a loss would put them 2.5 games back, a position the Steelers certainly are not accustomed.

The Steelers' injury situation with their corners and receivers is a major concern, but they will prove to be the more physical football team on both sides of the ball. Cincinnati has yet to beat a winning team this season and Sunday will be no different in a very close game.



. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS) Preview

Steelers
2nd, AFC North
Record: 3-2 at Bengals
1st, AFC North
Record: 5-1

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be back after a one-week absence, but will he be able to get out of the pocket and elude the rush with a hyperextended left knee? Also, Hines Ward is hampered with a bad hamstring.
A win would give Cincinnati a three-game lead over Pittsburgh, but it would be way too early for the Bengals to start making division title T-shirts and hats. Baltimore can shut down the Cincinnati offense, and the Steelers, despite their 1-2 home record, should be tough to beat at Heinz Field. The Bengals are a very good team, but the AFC North race wouldn't be over by any means.

Prediction: Cincinnati. The Bengals can pack eight guys at the line of scrimmage to stop Pittsburgh's running game because Deltha O'Neal and Tory James are capable of guarding any of the Steelers' receivers one on one.

As for Pittsburgh's defense, which has always had problems defending the pass, the pressing questions are: Can the Steelers double-team Chad Johnson? Or will they blitz and rely on a lot of man-to-man coverage? Pittsburgh will put pressure on Carson Palmer, but the Bengals' big-play offense and their ability to take the Steelers' wide receivers out of the game will be the difference.

STEELERS OFFENSE VS. BENGALS DEFENSE

The expected return of Roethlisberger (913 passing yards, 7 TD, 0 INT), who leads the NFL with a 123.8 passer rating, should be a boon to an offense that struggled in his absence last Sunday. Maddox completed just 11-of-28 passes for 154 yards, three interceptions, and a lost fumble against the Jaguars, but was hampered by the absence of Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward (18 receptions, 4 TD). Ward, who was nursing a hamstring strain, is considered questionable for this Sunday. Also in question is the availability of both Antwaan Randle El (13 receptions, 1 TD), who has a foot problem, and Cedrick Wilson (8 receptions), who has a wrist injury. Quincy Morgan (3 receptions on the year), who had a couple of grabs for 33 yards last week, is Pittsburgh's healthiest wideout entering Week 7. Tight end Heath Miller (10 receptions, 3 TD) comes off his best performance as a pro, as the rookie out of Virginia had a team-high four grabs for 72 yards and his third touchdown catch of the year. The Steeler line allowed two sacks last Sunday, and has now given up 10 on the year. Pittsburgh ranks 21st in the league in passing offense (202.6 yards per game).

Roethlisberger will be working against a big-play Cincinnati defense that comes into Week 7 with a league-best 14 interceptions. The Bengals intercepted Tennessee's Steve McNair twice last week, including a a 30-yard pick return for a touchdown by linebacker Odell Thurman (32 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack) to tie the game at 17 in the third quarter. Safety Kevin Kaesviharn (28 tackles, 2 INT) had the team's other interception in the game, and cornerback Tory James (22 tackles, 2 INT) was credited with a forced fumble and a recovery to go along with four tackles. The Cincinnati pass rush has managed just nine sacks through five games, including zero last Sunday. End Justin Smith (22 tackles) is currently the team leader in sacks with two on the year. Cincinnati ranks 15th in the league in passing defense (200.3 yards per game).

Pittsburgh struggled to get its running game going a week ago, as starter Willie Parker (408 yards, 2 TD) mustered just 55 yards on 21 carries and veteran Jerome Bettis (58 rushing yards, 1 TD) had four yards on four totes. Parker is expected to remain the starter, with Bettis the change-of-pace back and Verron Haynes (63 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 1 TD) appearing in long- yardage situations. Duce Staley has been active for just one game in 2005, and has yet to garner a touch this season. Fullback Dan Kreider will continue to pave the way for the running backs. The Steelers currently rank 13th in the league in rushing offense (119.4 yards per game).

Cincinnati has been average against the run in 2005, giving up 117.2 ground yards per game, good for 21st in the NFL. The Bengals allowed the Titans to rush for 118 last week, also letting Tennessee running back Chris Brown to find the end zone twice. Chuck Bresnahan's defense will have to tighten up against the Steelers' power running game, with Thurman (32 tackles) and fellow linebackers Brian Simmons (24 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Landon Johnson (20 tackles) a vital part of that effort. Simmons had seven tackles against the Titans, while Thurman, the Bengals' tackles leader, added six in the win. Defensive tackle John Thornton (16 tackles) had five stops on the day, and ranks only behind Justin Smith (22 tackles) among linemen on the tackles list.

BENGALS OFFENSE VS. STEELERS DEFENSE

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (1573 passing yards, 13 TD, 2 INT) will be seeking not only a win for his team this week, but also a spot in the record books. Palmer tied an NFL record with his ninth game compiling a passer rating of 100 or better, when he completed 27-of-33 passes for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Palmer's near-flawless game came without the services of No. 2 receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (20 receptions, 1 TD), who missed his second straight game with a hand injury. No. 1 receiver Chad Johnson (39 receptions, 5 TD) had no trouble compensating for the absence of his running mate, catching eight passes for 135 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season. Fellow wideout Kevin Walter (12 receptions, 1 TD) pitched in with four catches for 65 yards in the game, and running back Chris Perry (149 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 1 TD) made his presence felt with nine catches, 45 yards, and his first NFL touchdown. Houshmandzadeh is considered questionable for Sunday's game. Palmer was sacked only once by Tennessee, and has now been dropped eight times on the year. The signal-caller enters the Pittsburgh contest with a 113.6 passer rating, and Cincinnati is seventh in the league in passing offense (257.2 yards per game).

A depleted secondary crew will have to combat Palmer and the passing attack, as corners Deshea Townsend (14 tackles, 1 sack) and Ricardo Colclough (11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) are both expected to be out due to injury. Starting at corner will be Willie Williams (8 tackles) and Ike Taylor (39 tackles). Safeties Troy Polamalu (28 tackles, 1 INT) and Chris Hope (33 tackles, 1 INT) will have to lend support. Polamalu had seven tackles in the loss to Jacksonville. The Steeler pass rush had three sacks last week, giving the unit 18 on the year. Outside linebacker Joey Porter (20 tackles) had his team- leading fourth sack of the year, also forcing a fumble, and fellow OLB James Harrison (21 tackles, 3 sacks) had his third of the year. Harrison is expected to again start in place of Clark Haggans (17 tackles, 3 sacks), who is doubtful with a lingering groin injury. The Steelers are 17th in NFL passing defense (205.2 yards per game).

Palmer's exploits in 2005 have unfairly overshadowed the work of a running game that has averaged 124.5 ground yards per game, the 10th-best figure in the NFL. Rudi Johnson (544 rushing yards, 2 TD) and Chris Perry (149 rushing yards) have packed a powerful 1-2 punch, one that combined for 108 yards on 24 carries against the Titans. Johnson, who is averaging 4.3 yards per rush on the year, led the way with 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown in the win. Fullback Jeremi Johnson, who has two touchdown receptions this season, has also done a solid job blocking for the two halfbacks.

The Steelers enter Week 7 ranked sixth in the league against the run (89.8 yards per game), and limited Jacksonville to 93 yards on the ground last Sunday. Inside linebacker Larry Foote (31 tackles) had a game-high 12 tackles in the loss, and fellow ILB James Farrior (47 tackles, 1 sack) chipped in with eight in the game. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (15 tackles) leads all Pittsburgh linemen in stops, and had four last week. End Aaron Smith (12 tackles) notched four solo tackles and his first sack of the year in the contest.


Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Ben Roethlisberger is back in the lineup this week after missing last week's game against Jacksonville, a game in which Tommy Maddox set quarterbacking back in a big way. But he has to be gimpy, and he doesn't have Hines Ward, so the pick is the Bengals with Carson Palmer. This is their big-boy game.