Steelers (5-2) vs Redskins (6-2): Monday Night Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers (walking wounded) will try to avenge a loss from last week against the Giants, when they take on the Washington Redskins on Monday Night. The Steelers have been able to overcome adversity and injuries all season long, but it finally caught up with them last week. A single play probably cost them the game, when James Harrison (subbing in for long snapper Warren) put the ball over the head of punter Mitch Burger for a safety that tied the game.

 

Since that day, the Steelers have signed a new long snapper to take over those duties in Jared Retkofsky. The Steelers are also expecting the return of Willie Parker, as long as there isn’t another set back with his knee injury. Ben Roethlisberger will definitely be looking to atone himself after throwing 4 picks last week. The norm is when Ben has a sub par game, he comes back with vengeance and has a spectacular one. It must be noted however, that Ben was experiencing some shoulder pain this week after being sacked four times last week.

 

The Skins have been pretty impressive over the past couple of weeks and Jason Campbell just isn’t making any mistakes. He will definitely be challenged this week in facing the Steelers defence who had no sacks last week, but we can’t forget about the Monday night monster James Harrison. He’s going to be extremely hungry this coming week. Ty Carter will slide into the starting lineup for injured Ryan Clark, which has Anthony Smith more than wondering about his future with the Steelers. Read the article here, on how he is feeling slighted: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08304/923970-66.stm . The Steelers also expect to get Santonio Holmes back, who was inactive due to drug charges last week.

 

Here’s how the two teams match up statically:

Pittsburgh at Washington

PIT 25th OFF; WAS 6th DEF

PIT 18th RUN; WAS 5TH VS. RUN

PIT 21st PASS; WAS 11th VS. PASS

PIT 14th PTS; WAS 8th PTS ALLOWED

WAS 7th OFF; PIT 1st DEF;

WAS 2nd RUN; PIT 3rd VS. RUN

WAS 18th PASS; PIT 1st VS. PASS

WAS 23rd PTS; PIT t-3rd PTS ALLOWED

WAS t-12th TO/TA; PIT t-17th TO/TA

PIT WAS A COMBINED 1-FOR-14 ON 3RD AND 4TH DOWNS LAST WEEK (1-10 ON 3RD DOWNS, 0-4 ON 4TH DOWNS).

QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER THREW 4 INTS AND WAS SACKED 5 TIMES VS. NYG.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET, PIT BEAT WAS 16-7 IN 2004.

ROETHLISBERGER HAS TAKEN 14 SACKS VS. NFC EAST TEAMS (PHI AND NYG) THIS SEASON.

RB CLINTON PORTIS HAS RUSHED FOR AT LEAST 120 YARDS IN 5 STRAIGHT GAMES.

QB JASON CAMPBELL HASN’T THROWN AN INT IN 230 ATTEMPTS.

This game will undoubtedly be another tough one for the Steelers, who have yet to beat anyone out of their conference, but trends are meant to be broken. I expect a dog fight on both sides of the ball, with the Steelers prevailing 27-17

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