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Week 7 Game Recap: Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Cincinnati Bengals 10
What you need to know
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
QB Ben Roethlisberger was very workmanlike, spreading the ball around and playing an overall steady game with no turnovers. The Steelers offensive game plan was to pass early, as evidenced by just 9 rushing attempts in the first half. Roethlisberger connected with 5 different receivers in the first two quarters. During the second half, and facing an anemic Bengals pass rush, Roethlisberger found considerable time to make his downfield throws, and was able to connect on a 50 yard completion to WR Nate Washington for his second score. QB Byron Leftwich threw for 34 yards and a TD in mop up duty. Pittsburgh's offensive line did not allow a sack correcting a major problem area that plagued them this season.
RB Mewelde Moore, starting for the second straight game, was again very effective both in the running and passing game. He topped 100 rushing yards and found the end zone three times, once on a play action pass in the red zone. Ben Roethlisberger was able get him the ball out of the backfield where they connected five times. In two starts, Moore has 219 rushing yards and is a significant option to fantasy owners as long as he gets his opportunities. Backup RB Gary Russell was not a major factor, but chipped in with four carries and one target.
WR Santonio Holmes was Ben Roethlisberger's favorite target in the passing game. Holmes was able to get separation from the Bengals' defensive backs and showed good route running. Holmes was able to make some significant yards after the catch evidenced by his 18 yards per reception average.
| Cincinnati Bengals |
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was unable to sustain anything early on, with the Bengals having five straight three and out possessions in the first half. However, he shifted from deeper drop backs to shorter; more rhythmic passes late in the first half and that led to a scoring drive in the second quarter. His overall numbers were below average and his penchant for holding onto the ball allowed the defense to get to him quite often. With more experience and his impressive athletic ability, he may be able to utilize his considerable receiving threats further down the road.
RB Cedric Benson was productive in the first half, a surprising fact when you consider half a season of rust to shake off and against the normally effective Steelers' run defense. He did not show serious effects of his long layoff and gained nearly four yards per carry. Playing from behind in the second half limited his touches and he did not see much in the passing game. Backup RB Kenny Watson was a semi-effective replacement, with seventeen yards on his four carries.
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh and WR Chad Johnson each had eight catches. Neither wideout posted over 100 yards, but Chad found the end zone. The low yardage totals were a combination of the Bengals' play calling shifting to shorter routes and the Steelers' ferocious pass rush.
What you ought to know
| QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pass: 17 - 28 - 216 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0 |
Pittsburgh wanted to establish its passing game early and was able to move the ball effectively through the air during the first half. Ben Roethlisberger was in perfect rhythm in the second quarter getting ample time and able to get the ball to both starting wideouts and his running back. The most dramatic play was made while in the third quarter when Roethlisberger was able to get the ball deep and find WR Nate Washington for a touchdown. Ending up with over 200 yards, Roethlisberger finally enjoyed great protection and showed the benefits of his bye week to heal up from what has been a rough season of taking many major hits.
| RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 20 - 120 - 2, Rec: 5 - 14 - 1 (7 targets) |
Getting his second straight start due to a recurrence to RB Willie Parker's knee injury, RB Mewelde Moore made the most of his opportunity. He was able to get going early with the passing game and broke the game open in the second half running the ball. Posting two rushing touchdowns and 120 yards on the ground, Moore allowed the Steelers to take advantage of his skills. His pass catching ability is the reason the team got him in the off-season and he is a major target out of the backfield. He was able to reel in a nice play action pass in the red zone for the game's first score. Moore continues to be a decent fantasy play if given another opportunity.
| WR Santonio Holmes, Rec: 5 - 89 - 0 (7 targets) |
Holmes's speed does get him a lot of separation and he takes advantage it. His 32 yard catch produced a key first down on the Steelers' first scoring drive. Holmes had another deep target, but did not connect. His talent is evident, but has yet to really breakout with a major game this season. Pittsburgh has been able to get the lead in most games and run the ball later on, limiting major numbers for Holmes and his mates.
| WR Hines Ward, Rec: 4 - 60 - 1 (10 targets) |
Hines Ward had several balls thrown his way including a TD with less than two minutes remaining from back-up QB Byron Leftwich. He caught a few short and intermediate passes in the first half and did get two targets in the red zone. Another long pass attempt drew a pass interference penalty. Ward is still in good health and looks to be a solid play most weeks. He is still the focus of the passing game in Pittsburgh.
| WR Nate Washington, Rush: 1 - 6 - 0, Rec: 2 - 57 - 1 (3 targets) |
WR Nate Washington did most of his damage on one deep ball, hauling in a 50 yard bomb for a TD. He also made a short catch in the second quarter to keep a drive alive and had a red zone target. He is getting limited looks, but seems to make a big play each week.
| TE Heath Miller, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (4 targets) |
Miller was fairly quiet, but he did have a red zone look in the first half.
| PK Jeff Reed 1 - 1 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 8 points |
Reed hit a chip shot 21 yard field goal in the first half and five XPs. He had no other FG opportunities.
| PIT Rush Defense |
The Steelers held the Bengals' rushers to under four yards a carry. Given how well the Steelers' defense has been playing well all season, that number was a surprise especially when you include the return of starting defensive lineman DE Brett Keisel. The presence of NT Casey Hampton is still missed.
| PIT Pass Defense |
The Pittsburgh pass rush was outstanding recording seven sacks and several other QB pressures. LB's Lamar Woodley, James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons brought pressure most of the game and each registered two sacks. LB James Farrior also had a sack. The Bengals could not produce a deep threat all night.
| QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Pass: 21 - 35 - 164 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 15 - 0 |
Fitzpatrick simply had a poor start to the game. He was held to just 3 net yards on the first 5 possessions to begin the game. His fortunes changed dramatically with just over five minutes left in the first half, where he was able to connect with WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson and Chris Henry three times each on the way to an 82 yard drive that ended with a five yard TD to Johnson. Despite being dominated statistically for most of the half, Fitzpatrick found himself down only by three at the intermission. His opening drive in the second half lead to a field goal and displayed his athletic ability when he ran twice for first downs, once on a nifty ten yard scramble. After that however, the Steelers' pass rush imposed itself and held the Bengal offense scoreless the rest of the way. Fitzpatrick's yards per pass play were quite low (less than three yards) and much of his results were short passes over the middle or towards the sidelines. When he did drop back, he went down, to the tune of seven sacks. He was effective in spreading the ball around to his trio of wide receivers.
| RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 14 - 52 - 0, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (2 targets) |
Benson was productive but didn't look special. That is understandable given his long layoff from football due to a string of off field incidents last summer. He was able to make the most of his limited opportunities and showed an ability to move the pile. His longest gain was 15 yards. The real issue was the lopsided score and the Bengals' interior line blocking, which was not very effective. He had only a limited role in the passing game.
| RB Kenny Watson, Rush: 4 - 17 - 0, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (3 targets) |
Kenny Watson was never a big factor. He had a decent four yards per carry but none which resulted in any big plays. His role looks to be shifting back to one of a third down back, where it had been for most of his career.
| WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Rec: 8 - 58 - 0 (9 targets) |
Houshmandzadeh produced for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for most of the game. His longest reception was 19 yards and he did show some run after the catch ability, especially on a nice 19 yarder in the third quarter. I would not consider him the #1 receiver in this offense given his skill level may be trailing that of some teammates, but he works hard and that shows in the game. He also is limited by his inexperienced quarterback.
| WR Chad Johnson, Rec: 8 - 52 - 1 (13 targets) |
Johnson was quite involved in the first half, making a few catches on the lone scoring drive in the first half, including one in the end zone on a short pattern which led to a Bengals' only touchdown. He was the main target for the rest of the game, but was unable to get anything major going in the second half. His longest play was nine yards, hardly meeting high expectations of his fantasy owners.
| WR Chris Henry, Rec: 3 - 44 - 0 (9 targets) |
Henry was the spark that jump started the Cincinnati offense in the scoring late in the first half, snagging three balls, but despite numerous targets, he did not catch a pass in the second half. Given his four game suspension and Fitzpatrick's lack of experience, that should not be seen as a major surprise.
| TE Reggie Kelly |
Kelly did not get any targets.
| PK Dave Rayner 1 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points |
Rayner connected on a 26 yard field goal and one point. He had no other opportunities.
| CIN Rush Defense |
The Steelers posted over four and a half rushing yards per play. Cincinnati was not able to contain RB Mewelde Moore who had 120 yards on just 20 attempts. Backup RB Gary Russell, a former practice squad player, had 0 yards on four carries. If anything, Pittsburgh could have run the ball more.
| CIN Pass Defense |
The Bengals' pass rush was ineffective and the Steelers' passing game clearly dominated play despite posting only nominal numbers. Lack of any real pass rush allowed QB Ben Roethlisberger to sit back in the pocket and find secondary receivers. They ended up without a sack.