Gameday 3: Cincinnati Bengals

4:00

Ohio State Pen

CBS

Today, the Steelers prove themselves. They come into this game 1-1 after a disappointing loss to the Chicago Bears. Are they a team poised to repeat? Or are they a team poised to follow a championship season with another mediocre showing? Baltimore is playing Cleveland and will go to 3-0, so we can not, I repeat can not go to 1-2 and 0-1 in the division.

Cincy is out to prove that they are contenders. The Steelers are out to keep pace with the Ravens in the division race. Winning a division game early in the season sets a tone. Mike Tomlin is 12-1 all-time against AFC North opponents. The only loss was to Baltimore in 2007 when we played our JV team.

Hines Ward needs 60 yards to become the 32nd receiver in NFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards. Look for the Steelers to take a shot deep for him right off the bat today to try and get this taken care of.

What you didn’t know about Cincinnati: The Bungles were 12th in the league in run defense last year, and are currently (albeit after only 2 games) ranked 11th in the league in total defense (11th in run D, 16th in pass D). Defensive End Antwan Odom is currently leading the league with 7 sacks (he had 5 against Green Bay).

What you did know about Cincinnati: Cincinnati has been trying to run the ball more on offense, but Carson Palmer is still a gunslinger. He will try to force balls and he will take his shots downfield. This should give the Steelers pass rush time to get after him against the Bengals relatively weak offensive line. So far on the season, Palmer has 3 TDs, 4 INTs, and 5 sacks.

John will be fixing the wheels on a buggy in Lancaster.

Ian will be watching the game in HD at his parents house.

Ian may also drop by the OFTOT/XFLMVP Liveblog. It’ll depend on how his internet connection is.

Going into enemy territory, there’s only one person we’d trust this game in the hands of.

GO STEELERS!!