Steelers Redux–Game 15: Steelers are downright offensive in victory over Rams
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense proved that they were ‘The Greatest Show on Turf,’ at least for one night. Several members of the Steelers’ offense stepped up tonight, in a game that saw their best offensive player, Willie Parker, break his fibula on his first and only carry of the game. The Steelers perservered on offense, and won the game 41-24, against a very game St. Louis Rams.
This was a much needed win, as the Steelers snapped a two-game losing streak. It was also important that the Steelers won the game on the road. They are still under .500 on the road, and they were only playing St. Louis, but that track has done some good things for the Rams offense over the years. Tonight, it was the Steelers offense that was smiling.
Big Ben Roethlisberger claimed the Steelers as his team, in one of his best performances as a pro. Ben went 16-20 for 261 yards, and 3 TD’s. For those counting at home, Roeth had a perfect 158.3 rating tonight. Roethlisberger was once again sacked four times, but actually found himself with time throughout the game. When he had the time, he shredded the overmatched St. Louis secondary. Six different Steelers’ receivers had at least one catch. Roeth has 32 TDs this season, to extend his team record. It’s really hard to quantify what Roethlisberger has done this season, on a predominantly running football team. It truly is one of the great Steeler quarterback seasons. You add to that the fact that he’s now been sacked 47 times (one more than last year with one game to go), and it really lets you know what kind of year he is having. As it stands, Roeth is now 39-16 as a starter. The only qb with a better start than Roeth is a guy named Marino. Funny though, Roeth has a Super Bowl trophy, and Marino never did….advantage Roeth.
Santonio Holmes caught an 83-yarder, and had 4 catches for 133 yards. Holmes couldn’t get in the end zone on that 83-yarder, and a play later, Willie Parker ends up breaking his leg. Holmes said he didn’t expect the corner to stay with him, and he got tired trying to run around him. It’s funny that such a good play led to such a bad play. Still, you have to like what we are getting from a healthy Holmes. This kid can flat out play, and this was one of his best, if not THE best game of his career. We’ll need him to really step it up if the Steelers are to advance far into the playoffs.
Najeh Davenport had his best game as a Steeler, with 24 carries for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns (one through the air, and one on the ground). Boy was that good to see. I’ve always been a big believer in Najeh Davenport. When the Steelers got him off the free agent wire when Green Bay dumped him, I thought they may have had something. He is a north/south Steelers runner, and he looked the part today. The line again proved that they are much better run blocking, as Davenport really did his best impression of Jerome Bettis. This sounds like a theme, but Najeh Davenport ALSO had his best day as a Steeler.
Everybody stop, stand up, and give Hines Ward a standing ovation. Ward had 6 catches for 59 yards. No, it wasn’t HIS best game as a Steeler, but HE DID become the most prolific yardage receiver in Steeler history, passing John Stallworth. This is sacriligious, I know, but as singular players, we may have our best qb and wr in Steelers history. No, Hines isn’t the most daring, graceful or sublime receiver, but he certainly is the most consistent. By the time he’s done, he’s going to have numbers that may be hard to ever reach. Do you hear that Santonio?
Someone said Max Starks played better than Marvel Smith has this season on the left side. Um, were you watching the same game I was? He got toasted twice by Lucas Glover, and once by linebacker Brandon Chillar. I didn’t realize giving up three sacks was better.
What in the hell is wrong with the defense? It’s much to easy to just blame it on Aaron Smith’s injury. It’s a lot more than that. Casey Hampton had 1 sack tonight, which marked the only sack by a Steelers player over the past three weeks. I go back to the beginning of the season when I said we didn’t have great cover corners. The corners played well for most of the year, but recently, they’ve looked downright ordinary, including tonight. Now, before I blame Taylor and Townsend, let’s look to that vaunted Steelers’ pass rush. Where is it? That Rams offensive line is decimated, but the Steelers repeatedly looked ordinary tonight. Thankfully, Pittsburgh offense kept the Steelers defense off the field. Sorry, but it’s true. Enough listening to how this defense is #1 in the NFL. The numbers are lying. This is an ordinary defense…nothing more…nothing less.
Troy Polamalu is everywhere. I’m glad he’s back, because it’s just fun to watch him flying all over the place. It seems like there are 12 of him.
Nate Washington caught two passes for 50 yards. Oh yeah, he had 2 TD’s in those two catches. Not to shabby Mr. Washington, not to shabby at all.
Here’s where we are with one week to play. If Cleveland loses, we clinch the division. If Tennessee loses, we clinch a playoff birth. Either way, it does look like we are going to be hosting Cleveland or Jacksonville. I don’t know why, but I kinda hope that it’s going to be Jacksonville.
Pittsburgh has a LONG week to get healthy for their last game against Baltimore. Do you think the Ravens will be up for this game?
The Steelers are 10-5, and still hold first place in the AFC North.
fonte
