Jamie Van Dusen

The game did not start off too well for the Steelers, but in the end they showed some real determination. The Steelers first series saw Ben Roethlisberger throw and errant pass that was picked off by the Jags Rashean Mathis, who then returned it all the way for the score. Mathis along with the Jags has really seemed to have Roethlisberger and the Steelers number. This play must have made Steelers fans on the whole say; “Here we go again”.

The Steelers answered right back by with a score to even up the scoreboard. Big Ben was pretty solid there after, completing 26 of 41 for 309 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Running back Mewelde Moore filled in admirable for the depleted back field in obtaining 99 yards on 17 carries. The Steelers will welcome back “Fast” Willie Parker after the bye week.

The defence for the Steelers were once again awesome, in holding the Jags running game to only 38 yards total.

The game went back and forth on the scoreboard, but Roethisberger stayed calm and within the game plan on the final drive. Roethlisberger hit Ward for a 16-yard reception, Moore went up the middle for four yards and Miller had a three-yard catch. On third down Washington had a nice 12-yard reception, but was penalized 15 yards for taunting. Moore broke free for 27 yards for a first down at the Jacksonville 23-yard line. On third down Roethlisberger avoided the sack and found Ward for an 18-yard completion to the Jacksonville 13-yard line. Roethlisberger then hit Ward on the fade in the corner of the end zone, putting them up 26-20 after a failed two-point conversion.

This victory allowed the Steelers to have a 4-1 record heading into the bye week. The bye week will be very welcome to the Steelers as they attempt to get healthy and heal some nagging injuries throughout the team. I really like the determination that the Steelers and most of all Ben Roethlisberger showed in this game. Their never say die work ethic could take them a long way this season. I will be back later in the week with news and updates from the Steelers camp.

HERE WE GO!!!! STEELERS!!!   

Jamie Van Dusen

Game Information:
Teams: Steelers (3-1) at Jaguars (2-2)
Date: Sunday, October 5, 2008
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. EST
Site: Alltel Stadium

The Steelers hit the road this week to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium on Sunday, October 5. Kickoff for the game is at 8:15 p.m.

To start with I will give you my weekly stat breakdown of how these two teams match up together thus far in the year:

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville

PIT 29TH OFF; JAX 18TH DEF

PIT 17TH RUN; JAX 14TH VS. RUN

PIT 30TH PASS; JAX 24TH VS. PASS

PIT 25TH PTS; JAX 15TH PTS ALLOWED

JAX 24TH OFF; PIT 2ND DEF

JAX 12TH RUN; PIT 2ND VS. RUN

JAX 20TH PASS; PIT 6TH VS. PASS

JAX 21ST PTS; PIT 3RD PTS ALLOWED

JAX 15TH TO/TA; PIT 3RD TO/TA

JAX AND PIT HAVE EACH GONE TO THE PLAYOFFS TWICE IN THE LAST 3 SEASONS.

JAX HAS WON 4 STRAIGHT VS. PIT.

JAX QB DAVID GARRARD IS COMING OFF HIS ONLY TURNOVER-FREE GAME OF THE SEASON.

JAX RBS FRED TAYLOR AND MAURICE JONES-DREW HAVE EACH GAINED OVER 50 YARDS RUSHING ONCE THIS SEASON.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been looking forward to this match up since they were ousted by the Panthers last year. The real question for the Steelers is who will start at running back. It is thought that Mewelde Moore will get the start, but newly signed Najeh Davenport should also see some reps. The game plan going into this one will undoubtedly be different from the normal Steelers “run first’ one. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a tough team to run against anyway (currently ranked 14^th against the run), so I suspect that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be given the reigns to show us if he can put together and efficient aerial attack, since the Jags own the 24^th best against the pass.

“Shoot, when you lose your starting running back, you lose your first-round running back, you lose your starting fullback/running back?” Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes asked out loud yesterday. “I mean, what else is there for you to do? You can only throw the ball and hope someone comes in and fills in, like Mewelde did.”

This game is shaping up to be eerily similar to the playoff game from last year. As last year the Steelers were also forced to go with the air attack as they were without Willie Parker. At that time, Najeh Davenport was the back up running back, so Mewelde Moore has the chance to be a game changer in this one. In 11 career starts, Moore was able to crack the 100 yard mark on 4 of those occasions, so he’s definitely capable.

Jeff Reed, fresh off weekly NFL honours, may be relied on heavily again to give the Steelers a spark. The defence will need to come up with yet another strong game. Currently ranked 2^nd in the NFL, the Steelers defence has showed up each and every game. Last week the team had exceptional performances from James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley. This week should be no different. Here are a few highlights from the two defensive standouts:

LB LaMarr Woodley

• Returned a fumble seven yards for a touchdown, his first career

touchdown.

• Posted a 17-yard sack in the third quarter and a half-sack in the

fourth quarter, giving him 3.5 sacks on the year.

• Finished with eight tackles (five solo), 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble

and one fumble recovery.

LB James Harrison

• Finished with a team-high 10 tackles (five solo), 2.5 sacks (for 30

yards) and one forced fumble.

• Posted a six-yard sack in the first quarter, his fourth of the year.

• Had his second sack of the game and forced a Baltimore fumble

that was picked up by Woodley and returned seven yards for a

touchdown.

• Added a half-sack (along with Woodley).

Once again the Steelers are faced by a very formidable foe and will undoubtedly make for one heck of an affair. It may come down to which teams defence dictates the game and who can force the most turnovers. I am going with my heart on this week’s prediction, but I say the Steelers steal one this week and take the game with a score of: 17-13.

STEELERS

Jamie Van Dusen

The Pittsburgh Steelers won an ugly Monday night football game against the Baltimore Ravens with a 23-20 overtime victory. Although ugly, the victory could go a long way in determining the Steelers season. The offence of the Steelers was non-existent for the first half and resembled the same team from a week ago, that aloud Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked 9 times. The offence was booed off the field heading into half time, something that hasn’t been seen in eons. The frustration boiled into anger for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who said his offence played absolutely atrocious in the first half, which led to a half time shout out to his line; Roethlisberger shouted at his offensive team-mates in the locker room.

“I was tired of being booed,” he said. “I was tired of being embarrassed.”

The offence came out moving the ball and did manage their first touchdown in several quarters.  On third down, Roethlisberger threw a pass over the middle to Santonio Holmes for a 38-yard touchdown. The defence of the Steelers once again stepped up their game to keep the offence in striking distance, as on the very next play from scrimmage, James Harrison forced a fumble that was picked up by second year line backer, Lamarr Woodley, who brought it to the house and gave the Steelers a 17-13 lead in the game. This is when things really shifted to the Steelers.

The game did result is many key casualties for the Steelers. They lost starting running back, Rashard Mendenhall to a fractured shoulder, after he was lambasted by the Ravens Ray Lewis. The next back in line to take regular handoffs was Carey Davis, who didn’t last very long either by suffering an ankle injury. This forced the Steelers to go with 3^rd down back Mewelde Moore the rest of the way, as he was the only dressed running back standing.

Moore did not let them down. He turned a short pass into a 24-yard gain to Baltimore’s 31 on third down, keeping their winning drive alive. He then caught a crucial 7-yard pass on third down to put Reed in better range from 46 yards.

“To make a play to help my team out … I can’t explain it,” Moore said. “That [24-yarder] was the biggest play in my life.”

This turn of events could force the hands of the Steelers moving into next week, as it is doubtful Willie Parker will be ready to return and the status of the other two wounded backs is not good. It will force them to go searching for a ample replacement. The Steelers will bring back Najeh Davenport. The Steelers also suffered an injury on their already brittle offensive line; when they lost guard Kendell Simmons for the remainder of the season with an Achilles heal injury.

The Steelers will now limp into Jacksonville, a game that has been on their radar all season long, as they want to avenge the defeat they suffered in the playoff game last year. Defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars is going to take all hands on deck, as the injuries continue to roll in and not having the luxury of time to heal.

This NFL season is one of the more exciting and wide open seasons we’ve seen in years. The phrase “Last Man Standing”, may never be more in play than now. Although still young in the season, many teams have suffered key injuries that have changed their season. I guess the coaches and management are really going to have their work cut out for them and whoever can adapt best to their situation may be hoisting the Lombardi trophy at years end.

I’ll be back later in the week with notes and injury updates as they come knowledge to me.