NFL WEEK 8: “HE RETURNS”
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2015
CINCINATTI BENGALS PITTSBURGH STEELERS
BUMBLEBEES IN FULL EFFECT
I know you missed my newsletter....wait...the “HE RETURNS” isn't about the newsletter, or Bumble Bees…… Who is back? OHHH!!!
YES!! YES!!!! LARGE BENJAMIN IS BACK!!!!
After a month on the sidelines....he has returned (well as of press time...he is hoping to play...but we will proceed as if he were playing.)
With 3 straight home games on the horizon prior to our bye week, the time has come for Big Ben to return to action.
The Steelers sit at 4-3 after they let the KC Chefs (not a misprint) snap a 5 game losing streak at Arrowhead with a 23-13 loss. Landry Jones played with heart but 3 turnovers doomed the Steelers as our defense could not answer with any splash plays of their own.
This Sunday the undefeated Bengals come to town fresh off a bye week....with 9 weeks left in the season, I don't think it is too early to say this is a must win for Pittsburgh.
On to my 78 point preview:
Steelers of note on offense
QB Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin says his starting quarterback will be back on the field for the first time since injuring a knee back in Week 3 in St. Louis. Including the game he left early, the Steelers went 3-2 without him. Roethlisberger was playing at a high level before going down (113.1 rating, 75.3 percent completions, 10.2 yards per attempt) and he returns to an offense that now has Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant – players who began the year on the suspended list. The question is whether or not he can pick up right where he left off.
WR/PR Antonio Brown
There are few players, if any, more excited to see Roethlisberger back than Brown, who caught 29 passes on 34 targets in the first three weeks and then caught 17 on 31 over the last four. Expect to see Brown get involved early in the passing game, and then watch
for him on punt returns – he always seems to find the end zone against the Bengals when the teams play at Heinz Field.
LT Alejandro Villanueva
Villanueva made his first NFL start last week after coming in as a substitute two weeks ago when starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum blew a knee. The Chiefs ruined that debut, sacking Steelers backup QB Landry Jones two times on Villanueva’s side.
Roethlisberger may not be moving around as well as he usually does, so Villanueva will have to be on his game.
Steelers of note on defense
OLB James Harrison
The Bengals thought the 37-year-old linebacker was done when he left the team two years ago, but he continues to produce in his second stint with the Steelers. Harrison has two sacks and has forced a fumble, and has played the most snaps for the Steelers at outside linebacker.
DE Cameron Heyward
The 26-year-old defensive end earned some attention when the NFL fined him for honoring his late father by writing on his eye black, but he’s been having a good season on the edge of Pittsburgh’s defensive line. He has three sacks and has made 19 tackles.
LB Bud Dupree
The Bengals will get a close look at a player many fans felt they should have taken in the 2015 draft with the University of Kentucky product. After recording a sack in each of his first two NFL games, Dupree has just one over his last five but has shown flashes of being a difference-making pass rusher in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense.
Key Facts
· 102.2 Yards per game Le’Veon Bell is averaging since coming back from a season opening suspension.
· 3 Punt return touchdowns by Antonio Brown, all against the Bengals, all in Pittsburgh.
· Our defense MUST finally shut down a Tight End...Tyler Eifert is a talented player, if the defense cannot stop him, it could spell trouble for the Steelers.
· Most importantly.....trust in Ben.....this is it.....the time is now....
· The Steelers lead the all-time series 56-34 including a sweep last year...
Time to do it again!!!!
HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
Don’t Forget to bring canned goods beginning 10/16 through 11/13 for our Foodlink Food Drive.
As always....Raffles for cool prizes and 50/50
$1 donation: flags you personalize and hang up in the bar
RocCity Steelers Terrible Towels for sale: $12
Check out our website at: Steelclubrochester.com