BENGALS--WEEK 10

"I'll take it. I wouldn't necessarily say I was pleased. I would be pleased if we were 10-0 but we're not. We are what we are." -- Mike Tomlin


Again, I picked the spread but not the exact final score. Impressions of the win over the then division-leading Bengals:


1. The Steelers made enough bad offensive plays to almost give the game away and one good defensive play to take it back.

2. Ben threw for 175 yards in the first half and 17 offensive points. In the second half he threw for 70+ and the offense scored only 7 points. Why change the offensive strategy at halftime? Cincinnati was obviously having trouble stopping it so why stop it yourself? This is something that other NFL defenses should note: If you don't stop the Steelers just wait, play your game, and they'll find a way to stop themselves.

3. Two interceptions in one game; the same number as in the first nine games total!


4. Dick LeBeau is now 12-1 against rookie QBs but Dalton looked pretty good most of the way. He's going to be a force the Steelers will have to deal with for a long time.

5. Five more sacks of Roethlisberger. And, while we're on that subject, did anyone see how Dalton threw the ball away a few times WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE to avoid a sack (and he's just a rookie)? Ben, were YOU one of those who noticed? Unless you really want to be a cripple in a couple of years please start giving up on a play once in a while. You'll also throw fewer interceptions. That is, unless you LIKE being have 300 pound guys falling on you repeatedly and think interceptions are things that can't be avoided. An additional word of advice: Fate does not have control over a football in flight.

6. How many series in the second half began with a run that either made no yardage or was stopped for a loss? Arians, are we learning yet?

7. For a couple of minutes in the fourth quarter I thought the D was going to give up a 92-yard scoring drive in consecutive games, this time to tie the game.

8. Heath Miller cannot cleaning receive a simple pass and it turns into an interception killing a drive?

9. Still don't like the schizophrenic offensive performance. That is, dominating with 17 point first half then a namby-panby 7 point second half performance. That ain't gonna win playoff games, baby.

10. Concerning the upcoming bye week: "I haven't ran across a 'bye' I didn't like... You get it when you get it." -- Mike Tomlin