Blog 'n' Gold : hines ward

Steelers-Chefs live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:54:00 GMT

Yes, I spelled Chiefs incorrectly on purpose. If it's good enough for the Bungles. . . .

A few pregame notes:

* Expect Willie Parker to play more today. Of course, Bruce Arians planned to play his -- dare we say this now -- No. 2 halfback more often, on every third series, the past two games. Situations worked out differently. But today the Chiefs bring the NFL's sixth-worst NFL defense against the run. Parker, recovered from his turf toe too, has a shredded them in the past.

* No Larry Johnson (now with the Bungles), no Troy Polamalu (absent today and maybe another game or two with that PCL injury). So much for calling this a hairpull.

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* These aren't the quality Chiefs you remember -- from McDonald's Marty Schottenheimer as coach or even Rich Gannon at quarterback, before he went to the Super Bowl with the Raiders. But Arrowhead can still be a tough place to play. Moreoever, Steelers fans should thank the Chiefs. If it wasn't for a draft-day trade up, the Steelers may not have been able to draft Polamalu in 2003.

FIRST QUARTER

1:02 p.m.: So much for an improved kickoff coverage. The team with already the most KO return touchdowns this season gave up their fourth in five games and their eighth return for a touchdown -- kick, fumble or interception. CBS, by the way, showed the wrong coach at first before focusing on Bob Ligashesky. Gee, and it has been four years since the Chefs returned one for a score. Remember Dante Hall? One more thing: Ryan Mundy appeared to have the best chance at him, and Patrick Bailey got taken out by a teammate, so it appeared. The Steelers gave up thinking he was down. More reckless play is required on this unit. Oh, and Jeff Reed was awfully deep -- around the Kansas City 40 -- on that coverage, which represents a major change from him being a safety valve at the 50 or deeper in Steelers territory. (So nobody can criticize him for not sticking his nose in there.) 1:09 p.m.: Is it just me, or are the Steelers trying to pump up Kansas City? Run, run holding, run (a reverse on second and way too long), throwing into triple coverage? Funny, Mundy and the punt-return unit flew down there on that one. Hmmmm. . . maybe they should have Daniel Sepulveda and those guys punt off, as with a safety, instead of using Reed and the kickoff unit. 1:18 p.m.: OK, I'll agree with you there: You just make a dandy run against a defense that knows it's bad against the run, and the next down you go empty set? Don't except the "screen is as good as a run" argument, either. Especially with the way Ben Roethlisberger passed last week and looks already today, they should run to set up the pass and alleviate the burden on the quarterback. 1:28 p.m.: Told ya about Willie Parker (pregame notes). And in the replay, just noticed that Lawrence Timmons was on the Ill-Fated Kickoff Unit, or IFKU. Isn't he a new addition there? 1:31 p.m.: Sign that Miracles Do Happen: The Browns have 10 points already. (OK, so it's just Detroit). . . Offensive line doing the Steelers no favors on this drive, which showed promise. The sooner the Steelers tie this game, the better chance they have of the Chefs realizing that they are indeed the Chefs. 1:36 p.m.: Five of seven on fourth-down conversions this season? That's impressive. And Mendenhall nearly took that one all the way. . . By the way, Hines Ward was down on that play, but when he loses the ball, it's not a good sign. The Chefs' defense is hitting with some vigor. . . . End of the first, 7-0 KC.

SECOND QUARTER

1:40 p.m.: Was Big Ben just showing his Little Owie to the ref? Potential headline, if the Steelers prevail today: Victory better than being poked in the eye. . . 1:41 p.m.: Seems to be a hollow way to end such a drive, But don't lose sight of a jarring trend that Reed's 36-yard field goal signifies: That makes five consecutive touchdown-less trips into the Red Zone for the Steelers. Ruh-roh, every score means a kickoff! There was Ike Taylor to the rescue. . . 1:51 p.m.: Mixed into that sea of red are 10,000-plus Steelers fans in a Midwest meeting of Steeler Nation. The P-G's Bob Dvorchak is on hand to report about it for tomorrow's print publication. Just listen to them cheer or chant "Heeeeath." . . .1:58 p.m.: With that catch, Miller has tied his career high with 47 receptions. He's on pace for roughly 75 catches -- that's Antonio Gates territory. Most important, it's Red Zone time again. Can the Steelers go 6-for-6? The must be able to run the ball. Just as I typed that, CBS threw up an interesting graphic: No team has gone longer without a rushing touchdown than the Steelers, with 95 consecutive carries. . . 2 p.m: Funny, but I was thinking Roethlisberger should've run just about the time he flicked the ball to a Ward who was wide open because Roethlisberger's feet caused Chefs defenders to creep toward the line of scrimmage to watch him. The 5-for-5 Red Zone skid without a touchdown finally comes to a halt. Now I'll answer you critics: Don't give up on this club just yet. The defense is better, even without Polamalu, than three-quarters of the rest of the NFL. The offense can overcome special-teams mistakes. And, overall, if you watch the rest of the league closely, the Steelers still possess one of the six best teams in the NFL, if not better. The question, though, is: Will they play that way? If they win today, there are easy victories against the Browns and Raiders upcoming -- that's nine victories. Beat Green Bay or Baltimore at home, or win in Bawlmer or Miami, which is surging, and 11 surely will earn them a playoff spot, if not home field for the wild-card game. The Bungles, playing an even lighter schedule the rest of the way, HAVE to win 11 minimum unless they fall completely off the Earth. Oh, and the Steelers lead, 10-7. . . 2:08 p.m.: Brownies update: They've scored 24! Of course, they've allowed 17. And it isn't even halftime yet in Detroit. (Hey, if you can't have fun at Cleveland's expense, you're clinically deceased.) Two-minute warning. . . 2:13 p.m.: Red Zone time again. A 96th consecutive carry without a touchdown. Followed by another vintage Roethlisberger play: somehow avoid the sack by ducking under, scooting to his left and finding an ad-libbing Miller for another Live At The Improv touchdown. Steelers cruising, 17-7. How much are they cruising? They have 279 yards to Kansas City's 43. They have a dozen first downs to Kansas City's two. They have possessed the ball for nearly 21 minutes to Kansas City's 8:05. They have put together 95- and 46-yard scoring drives in their past 17 total plays. They own this one. . . 2:18 p.m.: Lest anyone forget, too: Kansas City's offense on all four offensive possessions have passed their own 40-yard line, if not the 50. They've had prime real estate -- and done nothing with it aginast the Steelers. Can't wait to end up the total scores for Matt Cassel by the end of this one; remember, he lost with New England to these Steelers by 33-10 in Foxboro last November. What will today's final be in KC? It's still 17-7, Steelers.

For your halftime viewing pleasure. . .

EYE-an Eagle, the Eye network's play-by-play man today and a swell fella, once told me that he is the son of a television star. Yes, he said, that was his father starring in those Brother Dominic commercials -- this one from 1977 and the Super Bowl:

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THIRD QUARTER

2:32 p.m.: Give the 3-foot-7 guy (Reed's words, not ours) his due -- Stefan Logan has put together his best return day of the season, and the first one equal to his preseason hint of electricity. The last return, past the 40, was well blocked . . . so give the special teams and coaches their due there. But still the Steelers have allowed four touchdown returns and collected none of their own, a minus-4 ratio (and it indeed cost them the Cincinnati game), an inescapable fact. . . . 2:40 p.m.: Just looked it up: Roethlisberger has been intercepted just twice in his past 70 attempts, a stretch that included his admittedly off game against Cincinnati last Sunday. And both were on tipped passes. So, sharp or not, he hasn't hurt his team. The Chefs took this one and drove to a touchdown, which indeed hurts. The offense needs to come back and score to put the Chefs back in their 2-7 place and provide themselves with some breathing room, lest they return to their Bears, Lions and at Bungles second-half collapses of earlier this season. Chefs creep within 17-14, Steelers. . .

We pause for this commercial message:

Why is this a Thanksgiving movie? The carving?

2:47 p.m.: Left guard Chris Kemoeatu, so vital to the running game, particularly on pulling blocks, will be missed with injury the rest of the day. Kansas City stuffs the Steelers, and Sepulveda makes his first punt since the Steelers' opening possession. Now that defense, which just had its only bad series of the game, must stand firm -- if not come up with a game-turning takeaway. The longer you let the Chefs linger. . . . . . 2:58 p.m.: The middle is amazingly open for the Steelers. Give credit to Ramon Foster for filling in admirably thus far for Kemoeatu, too. Roethlisberger has time to throw, for the most part. . . 3:04 p.m.: Neat interactive set-up for the Chiefs' site live blog, but not nearly as entertaining or informative as this one, not to be too shamelessly promotional. . . 3:07 p.m.: Now there was a potentially fatal mistake by Roethlisberger -- he threw into four Kansas City defenders.Now the Steelers are fighting for their lives. A beautiful drive and a chance to drive a stake through Kansas City's heart, and instead they revive that heart. . . To think, if he put a little more air under that sideline pass to Mendenhall, the Steelers lead 24-14 instead of going down of getting tied here [CORRECTION AT 3:17]. . . 3:10 p.m.: James Harrison, whose name hadn't been called much, if at all, previously today comes up with a crucial sack. Still, the Chefs tie this game at 17-all behind a guy from the family that produced America's most infamous car and a kick whose name is pronounced Suck-up. . .

The Steelers have almost four times as much yardage and more than twice as much time of possession, but two turnovers, one drive and a special-teams blunder have allowed Kansas City to stay in a game undeservedly -- it is at Cincinnati, at Chicago and at Detroit all over again. Perhaps this is the road rule rather than the exception.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:15 p.m.: Roethlisberger is playing with fire. At least he threw that second-down pass away, but still they're placing way too much reliance on pass-blocking, the pass, Roethlisberger's feet. With Max Starks down and Kemoeatu already out, the Steelers are getting perilously thin and in dangerous territory. . . 3:17 p.m.: No, AFPilot, I'm NOT watching the game; I'm making all this up. But I sit corrected: A Willie Colon holding erased that Roethlisberger-to-Mendenhall play regardless. My bad. And the defense is going to have to win this one for the Steelers, if they can. . . 3:23 p.m.: Reasons why Chiefs are still in this game? They've kicked their bad habit and shut down the Steelers running game. And 0 giveaways by them. . . . Of course, as soon as I type that, Cassel coughs it up to -- Harrison again. . . Starks is back. . . 3:25 p.m.: How about this: If the Steelers don't score on this trip to the Red Zone -- the've failed on six of their past eight, remember -- we'll force them to decline an invitation to the playoffs. . . 3:28 p.m.: At least the Steelers tried to run the ball in the Red Zone. And this time -- I'll get it right, I'll get it right! -- Roethlisberger hits Mendenhall over the middle for the go-ahead score, 24-17 Steelers. And these Chefs linebackers, with Studebaker in and ex-Steeler Mike Vrabel absent, aren't very good at all. . . 3:31 p.m.: At 3:23, I forgot to point out one aspect: Kansas City, until that kick return, got called for only one penalty against the Steelers' 7 for 70 yards. See, the Steelers were giving this game to the Chefs. . . 3:36 p.m.: Former Steelers ballboy Todd Haley is attacking the Steelers safeties -- Deshea Townsend in nickel on the Lance Long catch to midfield, Ryan Clark on the double move by Chris Chambers to the Red Zone. Game on. . . 3:40 p.m.: Now the Steelers defense has been fairly shredded twice in the past four Kansas City offensive possessions. Brett Keisel really looked to be huffing and puffing there, a byproduct of both Aaron Smith and Travis Kirschke being absent due to injuries. It's 24-24. . . 3:43 p.m.: Huge offensive series for the Steelers. . . The next turnover will decide this game. . . 3:49 p.m. Cassel started this drive 8 for 15 passing for 140 yards this half alone. More importantly, he has steered Kansas City to two TDs and a field goal, with help from Roethlisberger. The Steelers come out of this 2-minute warning with a season-saving, third-and-3 staring them in the face. Well, that's overdramatic -- but this Kansas City possession determines this game, or at least saves overtime. . . 3:52 p.m.: Gutsy decision to blitz and leave those safeties in coverage. Just shows you the difference between good teams and bad: Lesser ones drop balls like that. . .

3:53 p.m.: One minute, 47 seconds to go and the ball in Roethlisberger's hands. Mewelde Moore couldn't handle Derrick Johnson on that first-down rush. . . But an illegal-downfield-contact penalty helped the Steelers' cause. Let's see what they can do with a break. . . 3:55 p.m.: One-29 to go, and wasn't that a lovely shot by CBS' cameras of Reed tugging on the seat of his pants? . . . 3:57 p.m.: Sixty-two seconds left, and a third-and-4 at midfield, and Roethlisberger can't make a play with his feet. Chefs try a safety blitz into that line, and now it's Cassel's turn to try to rescue the home side. . . 4 p.m.: We're going to overtime. It's up to a flip of the coin. . . or the next mistake.

True, this game never should've reached this point. But blame the defense, too, for allowing those second-half drives.

OVERTIME

4:02 p.m.: Tails, as in what the Steelers need kicked. The offense must run the ball and staunch that Kansas City rush. Even throw a shovel pass or quick screens. . . 4:04 p.m.: See, BA reads this Blog!. . . Seriously, Roethlisberger is 31 of 41 for 19 yards shy of 400, stats alone that show Kansas City never should've gotten this far. Once again, the middle is wide open for Ward. But, and I reiterate, run the ball with Mendenhall. The offensive line needs a break, too, and run-blocking is easier for them. And the Chefs are bad at it, when not blitzing. And Mendenhall, like that first-down run, is rushing hard and well. . . 4:07 p.m.: Roethlisberger indeed took a Derrick Johnson knee to the head, so it's on to Charlie Batch, who is woefully cold, and a tired offensive line. Go to two backs and run. Leave Batch with only short passes. You need two yards for a first down, then another 10 to 12 yards to get into Reed's range and get the heck out of Dodge. . . 4:10 p.m.: Excuse me, I forgot about the Hartwig hold. They need 22 to 25 yards for Reed. . . and then Batch threw that deep strike to Santonio Holmes, a gutsy call and a beautiful throw. But the Steelers should've sat on it and run from there. That Chefs defense should be a little weary deep down, too, from all that time on the field -- 41 minutes and counting -- and all that pass-rushing on 43 pass attempts. Great run by Mendenhall. Can Reed deliver again, like in overtime in the opener? . . . 4:13 p.m.: Not sure if Moore was the right man for that third-down job. Parker maybe, with his speed and having a decently warm, if not hot, hand in this game already. Sure, Moore is sure-handed, but. . . Now it's up to the Steelers defense. . . 4:15 p.m.: Can Taylor actually catch a huge ball and intercept it? . . . Nah. . . A harbinger, to be sure. . . This isn't the same Cassel as the first half, or last year's New England game. No, the Chefs deserve to win this -- and they will, after that long pass to Chambers.

4:18 p.m.: Suck-up's kick, of course, is good. Chefs, 27-24. They hadn't won back-to-back games in more than two years. Heck, they've mostly beaten the lowly Raiders the past two years. The Steelers need some soul-searching now.

They are 2-3 on the road, and they only played well once -- in Denver. They are two drastically different teams, especially on defense, home vs. road. And they now have their second two-game losing skid of the season.

Worse, they have imperiled their playoff chances. At Baltimore and at Miami look far more daunting now. And, geesh, could at Cleveland, too?

Great googly-moogly, indeed.

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Bengals-Steelers, live (Polamalu out)

Chuck Finder — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:00 GMT

(Last time they met, Cincinnati fans emailed that we were all offended by the "Bungles" references. Hey, lighten up, people, it's a Pittsburgh thing. It's a Cope thing. At least I didn't call them the Wicky-Wackys. . . )

12:59 p.m.: Tamara Tunie of "Law & Order SVU", also of McKeesport and Carnegie Mellon, sang the national anthem with a military flyover above. You can thank me later for dressing up the blog.

FIRST QUARTER

1:06 p.m.: Yeah, it's hard to focus on the game. . . Steelers cornerback William Gay, suffering from Ike Taylor Syndrome, has dropped two potential interceptions in the opening seven plays from scrimmage. A good sign or a bad sign?. . . 1:13 p.m.: Sounds like the old Bengal luck -- feel free to insert Mahrn's favorite nickname there: A 51-yard field goal wattempt by Cincy's Shayne Graham, and it's high enough, it's long enough, it's. . . going KERPLUNK off the right upright. No good. Steelers ball in dandy field position at their own 41. . .1:18 p.m.: For a second there, I felt like I was watching Rich Rodriguez's offense: wide-receiver screen right, wide-receiver screen left, etc. But you have to like Bruce Arians tossing out a new-look formation, which just so happened to be the old T- and pro-formation, side-by-side backfield a la Rocky and Franco. And Mewelde Moore, behind great seal blocking from the left side, ran 12 yards on a third-and-1. . . 1:21 p.m.: This Roethlisberger dude ought to run more often. So long as he doesn't continue to dive head-first. A batted pass and some Red Zone passing trouble leave Jeff Reed to clean up this nice opening drive with a 28-yard field goal. 11 plays, 49 yards, 6:06 -- and this offense can do a great job of eating up clock, staying in-bounds, milking the play-clock. Steelers, 3-0. . . 1:24 p.m.: Maybe they just should squib, pooch or onsides anymore -- for the third time in four games, the Steelers gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown. This time, rookie Bernard Scott, on only his third NFL return, whisked Reed's kick into the left corner some 96 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Missed tackles, botched lane assignments, some nice Cincinnati blocking, and next thing you know it was Scott vs. Reed, who at least turned him back into the field. According to our Ed Bouchette, that makes seven consecutive games in which the Steelers have given up a return for a touchdown: by fumble, interception, punt or kick. . .

1:33 p.m.: All-everything safety Troy Polamalu left the field and the game with what was described as a left knee injury -- the same one in which a sprained MCL prevented him from playing Games 2-5 and the final three quarters of the opener. In all, he has played less than 14 quarters all season, and he appeared as if he was just returning to his otherworldly form. Tyrone Carter, the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after two interceptions Monday in Denver while replacing safety Ryan Clark, is again filling in for Polamalu. . . 1:40 p.m.: For the record, the review on Santonio Holmes' third-down catch was correct; the bad spot was patently detectable by our naked eyes way up here in the press box. . . 1:42 p.m.: The Bengals are content to pick, pick, pick. Cedric Benson's runs here or there. Short Carson Palmer passes, to avoid the Steelers' rush. Of course, the Steelers are content to allow short plays and figure they'll make a play at some point. Still and all, Bengals, 6-3. End of first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

1:52 p.m.: Mike Tomlin noted this past week how well Holmes is doing the non-statistical things, such as blocking. Well, on that first-down pass to Hines Ward, Rashard Mendenhall threw a crushing cut block on Bengals linebacker Rey Maualaluga. But the offense isn't quite in sync. Perhaps it's time for the no-huddle. . . 1:59 p.m.: The Bengals were 3-for-5 on third down before that last, high Palmer pass for Chad Ochocinco, who is some kinda hacked. But he doesn't have much room to jaw, as he did while coming off the field after the third down incompletion. He should've caught the first-down deep pass from Palmer. That drop is all one No. 85. Or maybe he can blame it on Tweeter Tunnel Syndrome. . . 2:00 p.m.: Nice return by Little Logan, who was due. He is exciting, whether his scooting works or doesn't. . . 2:05 p.m.: Injury update -- The Bengals' Benson is listed as probable to return despite a hip injury. Steelers cornerback and special-teamer Keenan Lewis is questionable due to a left rib injury on that Bengals' punt return. . . 2:10 p.m.: Another nice drive, another aborted attempt inside the Red Zone. Forcing the second-down pass into the corner looked ill-advised, at least -- Ward was open at the left pylon, with the defensive back behind him. At worst, a throw to Ward would've given the Steelers third-and goal at the 1. Reed's 33-yard field goal ties it up, 6-6. . . 2:12 p.m.: I repeat, can't they squib, pooch or even onsides a kickoff? . . . 2:22 p.m.: Credit backup Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe with that 46-yard gain via a pass interference penalty. I'm not so sure Mike Wallace catches that ball, slightly beyond his reach, if Ndukwe doesn't grab his arms. And fellow safety Chris Crocker had Wallace covered. That shows some impact from Roy Williams being injured and placed on IR, forcing Ndukwe into a starting role. . . 2:25 p.m.: Jumpy Geathers is what you'd call a Steelers killer. They respect the heck outta him. Don't konw if Mike Wallace was supposed to chip Geathers and keep him from rushing free, but that pushed the Steelers offense back -- their third Red Zone failure to score a touchdown. Holmes' right-corner pass was tipped and caused the ball to go through his hands in a Super Bowl-reminiscent play. Nine plays, 61 yards, 2:40. And it results in a hat trick of field goals for Reed in the first half, this one from 35 yards. Steelers, 9-6. Halftime.

I'm a believer. Ray Lewis. Donovan McNabb. Shaun Alexander, Michael Vick. Vince Young. Brett Favre. Polamalu makes seven straight years where a coverboy got hurt (remember, they kept Favre's injury a secret last season) and the sixth time in seven where a cover-subject missed significant time, if not most or the rest of the season.

THIRD QUARTER

2:50 p.m.: Maybe that'll teach 'em to run on third-and-short. Roethlisberger's pass was badly behind Ward, but Morgan Trent batted it, and lineman Frostee Rucker snagged it. Presto. Bengals get the game-tying field goal, 9-9. . . 2:52 p.m.: By the way, it's the second-biggest crowd ever at Heinz Field. The 65,392 has been topped in the regular season only once before -- the last game here, Oct. 25 against Minnesota. . . 3:02 p.m.: It's a field-goal-fest. Or, put another way, it's an oh-ffensive display -- nary a touchdown by an offensive unit. The fifth field goal of the day, and fourth since that kickoff-return TD, makes it Bengals, 12-9. . .3:04 p.m.: Wallace back for the kickoff. That's his first in the NFL, officially. and he'll get more after that 26-yarder. . . 3:06 p.m.: It's Willie Parker, kids! But on his first appearance in the game, the pass was a bit high, and Parker stopped abruptly on the flare route. The next play they got it right -- you hand the ball to Parker, or use him as a decoy. Pass-catching isn't exactly his forte. . . 3:09 p.m.: Smells like panic time. They're playing "Renegade." . . . 3:13 p.m.: Game possession for the Steelers here, first down at the 50. Desperately need a TD, though a FG wouldn't hurt. . . 3:15 p.m.: A pass from an under-center formation? There's a wrinkle. Roethlisberger isn't as sharp as normal though, which can happen not just on occasion, but after a Monday night emotional and sharp game. Bengals only rushing three, and he's finding receivers -- but they're closely covered. Wallace grabbed the under-center, second-down throw before being clouted, and Miller caught the next one while double covered. End of quarter. Stick up those four fingers, it's the . . .

FOURTH QUARTER

3:23 p.m.: Gutsy call to go for it on fourth down. Press box consensus: Chuck Noll would've taken the points there, tied it at a dozen-dozen. But the Steelers convert the fourth down on a Roethlisberger sneak behind a strong push from the offensive line. . . 3:26 p.m.: Is it just me, or do the Bengals do a better job than anybody batting down passes at the line against the 6-foot-5 Roethlisberger. (Though you may ask yourself: Why didn't Roethlisberger pump there, step in and around a jumping Jonanthan Fanene, and find a receiver? Well, for one thing, the windows are smaller and the routes excruciatingly quicker in the Red Zone.) Oh, yeah, the fourth failure inside the Bengals' 15-yard line -- oh-for-4 is never good -- led to yet another Reed field goal, so it's tied at 12-12 after all. Ruh-roh, that means another Steelers kickoff. . . 3:30 p.m.: Deshea Townsend in for Carter at safety. . . 3:31 p.m.: Now Ryan Clark has that Ike Tyler Syndrome -- right through his hands, though it helped matters that Ochocinco ran the wrong route, out instead of in. . . . 3:32 p.m.: This has the look of a difference-making drive by Cincinnati, possibly even the game-winning drive. If they score a touchdown, that's something the Steelers have shown an inability to do thus far. Nice rhythm and pace to this drive, nice blocking by the Bengals line, nice job by Palmer picking out open receivers. . .3:39 p.m.: New slogan: The AFC North -- It's Trey-tastic! More field goals, which represents a moral victory for the Steeles. But the Bengals regain the lead, 15-12.

3:43 p.m.: Again, Roethlisberger is off. That third-down pass for Miller was way high. Tough angle, tough window. And now the Steelers are a woeful 3 for 14 on third-down conversions -- an even-worse 0-for-6 this half. If the Steelers' offense doesn't get its act together, or the defense conjure a score -- and Palmer doesn't make many bad decisions or mistakes that result in those -- this has a Bengals victory written all over it and a strong leg up in the race for the AFC North crown. . . 3:52 p.m.: So maybe Bill Cowher is a bigger genius than anyone gave him credit. Cincinnati is chewing up valuable time and within field-goal range, so they very well -- as Mr. Bill predicted -- could be on their way to the division title. After all, they have Oakland, Cleveland and Detroit all in a soft row, then Kansas City and the Jets to close. So a 12-4 season is well within reach, with a victory here. Third-and-eight at the Steelers 28, the Steelers use their next-to-last timeout, and. . . and. . . the Bengals, 4 for 12 previously on third down, get Lawrence Timmons to jump offsides. Hmmm. Third-and-three, and Palmer audibles into a run that Nick Eason stuffs it for a two-yard loss. Two minute warning. Graham, who before the play walked onto the field and took a couple of practice swings with his leg, gets to go for his fourth field goal of the day. . . 3:59 p.m.: Graham goes 4 for 5 for the day, his 43-yarder making it, 18-12 Bengals. Eleven plays, 52 yards, 4:20 on the Bengals drive. So it's either touchdown, or maybe hope for the wild card. . . 4:03 p.m.: Overthrowing Ward, with fill-in linebacker Brandon Johnson pulling his jersey back, and underthrowing Wallace on a 40-yard bomb, and throwing into an area where two Steelers receivers were crossing middle deep, and pressure by the Bengals causing him to throw away on fourth down. Remember those later, if the defending champions have to go on the road in the playoffs. It's over. Bengals, 18-12.

Vikings-Steelers, live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Minnesota -- how could a team with horns on its helmet call "tails?" -- won the toss and elected to receive. The temp is up to 55, and the sun makes it feel warmer. Game on.

FIRST QUARTER

1:03 p.m.: The Vikings gave the defense three very different looks, including a little no-huddle. And you saw James Harrison and Troy Polamalu make big plays. That's the kind of start they sought. Ed Bouchette asked an interesting point as soon as Minnesota declined first-and-five and took an 8-yard gain on the opening play for second-and-two: Why not take the penalty and gain a down? 1:16 p.m.: The Legend that is Brett Favre is 1 for 2 with a sack. Steelers defense looking sturdy so far, but soon the Vikings will feed them -- and, specifically, Aaron Smith replacement Travis Kirschke -- a steady diet of Adrian Peterson runs.1:22 p.m.: Harrison -- after LaMarr Woodley had the pressure -- and Polamalu, who appears to be wearing the knee brace this time (can you folks watching TV tell better?), are atop their games so far like they haven't been yet this season. Credit Gerry Dulac with the nickname for the Minnesota punter: Chris Kluwe-less. His punt to his own 39-yard line may have received a generous spot. (To answer ChiTown: Yes, even Mike Tomlin thought the right tackle lifted up prematurely on that snap, and let the side judge know about it.) 1:32 p.m.: It's the Mike Wallace Show. Nice, and critical, catch for 10 yards on third down. Then, after the Minnesota challenge that failed, a lovely flanker reverse -- with a dandy block by Santonio Holmes downfield. Willie Parker is in for this series, but still the question remains: Why aren't the Steelers challenging left cornerback Karl Paymah, Antoine Winfield's replacement whom Baltimore and Joe Flacco alighted for most of his 385 yards last week, includding 244 yards in the second half. 1:37 p.m.: A Heath Miller pass-interference penalty on the opposite end of the field wiped away Holmes' TD catch and run, and a sack left it to the foot of you know how. An eight-play, 18-yard drive ended when Jeff Reed punched through a 39-yard field goal. Steelers, 3-0. 1:39 p.m.: The Steelers coverage has been exemplary, but Percy Harvin has enough jets that he just might get past the first wave one of these times.

SECOND QUARTER

1:48 p.m.: Well, the Vikes ran Peterson and a quick, off-tackle play, and that one time it worked well (though why he slowed and shifted, I'll never know). The Battling LeBeaus seem to have them pretty well sniffed out otherwise, though. 1:51 p.m.: The play-calling on that Steelers series wasn't so bad. They do need to run, and they're holding back on those counter plays, apparently. And Roethlisberger, who isn't as sharp as he has been thus far this season, threw one into Vikings hands to Miller and the other high and slightly behind Hines Ward, who dropped the ball when clouted from behind. One thing to look for, though. Bruce Arians may try to play this one closer to the vest because it is shaping up to be a defensive, low-scoring game. (To me, with Favre and Peterson on the field, though, that can change in an eye-blink.) 1:54 p.m.: That's why he's a Legend. Favre, with Willie Gay flying at him in a delayed corner blitz, Favre found and hit a wide open Harvin to end a 1-for-5 third-down run and convert a first down with a 28-yard completion. The old guy still has it. 1:58 p.m.: Getting the idea that Favre is going after Gay? That and the right middle. Not a thing in the areas of Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor. 2 p.m.: Brad Childress just sprinted down to the 15-yard line to call that timeout, he wanted one so badly. Wait, isn't there a rule about straying out of the coaching box? 2:03 p.m.: The quicksilver Peterson skitters into the end zone on third down for the first touchdown of the game. So ended a confidence-instilling, 13-play, 76-yard, 5:22 drive. Vikings, 7-3. 2:10 p.m.: Sixty-five yards of Steelers offense so far -- no, that isn't going to cut it. You folks are correct, the defense -- against that massive Minnesota line -- will wear down at this rate come the second half. Maybe the no-huddle, or at least a varied play-calling that doesn't leave the Steelers' offense subject to seven-man blitzes. 2:21 p.m.: That third-down conversion, after the Steelers' 1-for-5 start, was all Mewelde Moore. And he bears watching: He declined all week to talk about his former team, so methinks he feels he has a little extra oomph for this one. 2:23 p.m.: Sure, a 22-yard pass for a first down to Wallace -- his Show continues -- but by now you can tell Roethlisberger, who made his career with plays afoot, didn't throw a sharp ball there. . . . But he threw a nifty one, with time, to Wallace for the go-ahead touchdown that dropped over two defenders and into the post-pattern arms of Wallace, snarled up the Vikings safeties and allowed the rookie to perform a somersault into the end zone with 24 seconds left in the half. Steelers, 10-3. But they did just leave The Legend 24 seconds to work. 2:26 p.m.: Excuse me while I update my resume to remove that "potential Offensive Coordinator" career move. Childress has Favre take a knee. Halftime, Steelers 10-7.

THIRD QUARTER

2:43 p.m.: What is this, 1992 all over again? Or 1992-2006? The Steelers are running, and effectively. Not a bad block by Roethlisberger on the reverse that the Vikings knew was coming -- and still that Paymah was called for a facemask. Man, there's a guy you attack all day. . . Nifty run by Roethlisberger, seeing the left side of the field wide open, but Benny Sapp dived through the air to elicit an unsportsmanlike penalty. He was even guilty of a charging penalty that an NHL ref called from Mellon Arena. 2:47 p.m.: That second-down play prompts questioning after the game -- did Wallace or Hines Ward run a wrong route in the right corner to cause Roethlisberger to refrain from throwing? did the QB worry about his fourth batted pass of the day? or was it a pass-run option, and Roethlisberger chose to tuck and run? One other thing: They ran the ball so well, outside of one crunching tackle, why go away from it compeltely in the Red Zone? . . . It's a record day in one capacity: The 65,597 attendance marks a Heinz Field record, surpassing by 247 the AFC championship game attendance last January and by 487 the Tennessee season opener last month. . , Reed's 27-yard field goal extends the lead a tad, but not enough to feel comfortable around The Legend and Peterson. Steelers, 13-7. 2:59 p.m.: That fourth-down play was vintage Favre. He pump-faked to freeze Polamalu for one step, and that allowed Sidney Rice to flash open behind the defense. 3:01 p.m.: Riddle me this: You got the best running back since maybe Barry Sanders, in Peterson, and you throw two of the three downs from the 1-yard line? The Steelers don't care. They made a stand and came away with the lead still. A moral victory, indeed. Don't fail to notice the Vikings put together another 13-play drive and they're 6 of 13 on third downs, meaning they've converted five of their past seven before failing on this last goalline play. The Minnesota field goal makes it Steelers, 13-10, with -- hmm, a harbinger? -- 4:44 left in the quarter.3:09 p.m.: Somebody in the press box is worried. They just cued up "Renegade," which Ryan Clark earlier this week noted is a sure signal that it's time to focus and bear down. (And, for the record, there are 17 minutes, 59 seconds of regulation left. Premature Styx, perhaps?) 3:14 p.m.: Harvin was already dropped that perfectly lovely, third-down throw by Favre, but Clark sure got into Harvin's bad shoulder and his head -- the rookie may not catch many more over the middle today, if at all. Steelers offense needs a prolonged drive and, it would help their cause, a score. 3:17 p.m.: The Steelers have piled up runs of 17, 16 and 14 -- and immediately after that last Mendenhall gallop around right end, behind stellar blocking, with a badly-thrown, badly-called halfback-release pass?

FOURTH QUARTER

3:21 p.m.: Right after an electric play by Holmes, who eluded six would-be tacklers -- or, from the Minnesota vantage point, six blown potential tackles -- Mendenhall followed with an ill-advised leap. He lost the ball in mid-air, and the Vikings recovered at their own three. This could present a HUGE point turnaround, and possibly even the game, in one play. We shall see. But, of course, Mendenhall and fumbling aren't exactly strangers. (Search his name along with "bounty" and "tucked." ) 3:27 p.m.: Lawrence Timmons twice stopped, and crumpled once, trying to get off the field with a bad, right ankle. And that's one position where the Steelers aren't exactly blessed with depth (where have you gone, Larry Foote?) You certainly do get the feeling The Legend is going to lead them on a 97-yard drive here. Good thing Harrison came to play at a Defensive Player of the Year level, and a holding penalty just negated that long Favre completion to Rice -- more than a 50-yard swing. 3:36 p.m.: That was a smart challenge, the proper review and a heck of a throw and catch, a 25-yard gain for a third down -- after penalties on three of four Minnesota snaps. It's their game for the taking now. 3:39 p.m.: Kirschke limped off, something with his left ankle, shin or foot, and that stands as another bad sign for the Steelers defense. Nick Eason, a third-teamer cut twice already this season, is playing left defensive end in the Red Zone agiansttwo of the game's best all-time offensive players? 3:41 p.m.: Get this, if the Packers do score a touchdown, they'll have gained almost 130 yards this drive, overcoming four penalties. Look at that, I just typed Packers. 3:43 p.m.: Universal reaction: Are you kiddin' me? Brett Keisel got credit for the sack and strip, LaMarr Woodley got no style points -- it was no Harrison Super Bowl Polamalu play -- but his fumble return of 77 yards with a cordon of defensive blockers makes it Steelers, 20-10. Harrison, by the way, lay on his back around midfield in glee afterward. The first non-defensive player to congratulate Woodley? Mendenhall. Who probably should buy him dinner. Some new clothes. . . Kirschke has a calf and Timmons has an ankle, as Coach Cahr used to say. They're done for the day. By the way, Bart Simpson has a cow.

3:47 p.m.: That buzz didn't last long.

Harvin's 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown -- the second against the Steelers in two weeks, remember -- brought the positive vibes down. And it also brought down back judge Richard Reels, who got accidentally clouted by backup Minnesota tight end Jeff Dugan. Interestingly, one of the Vikings front-line blockers, sorry I didn't catch a number, signaled for Harvin to move up just before Reed ran up to the ball. So he read something on the coverage-unit call or alignment. . . Also note that Reed didn't slow down Harvin with that mild midfield push, and he normally gives the rest of his coverage unit a fighting chance.

3:52 p.m.: For the second game in a row, carrying the fourth-quarter ball in the ground game is. . . neither Mendenhall nor Parker, who has been noticeably absent since the earlygoing. It was Moore.3:57 p.m.: Credit Justin Hartwig's knee for knocking that horrendously loose footbal out of bounds.That saved the Steelers roughly 30 yards in a game with a field-goal difference. Still and all, you give Brett Favre the ball and 3:21? He can score six touchdowns in that time. 4:01 p.m.: "Renegade" twice? Is that kosher? Look at it this way: Not just third and 4, but in the final two minutes, a less-than-2008 defense with Keyaron Fox and Eason playing must make a stand. 4:04 p.m.: Time to update that resume again, to add "potential Nostradamus." Fox went 82 yards with a pass that went from Favre to Chester Taylor -- a former Baltimore Raven, remember -- to Fox's belly, and he bolted down the left sideline without needing a single block downfield from personal escort Clark. Steelers, 27-17. 4:12 p.m.: It's ovah. Score this one: Patchwork Pittsburgh defense 14, Steelers offense 13 (for a home total of 27), Vikings 17.

Steelers-Brownies, live

Chuck Finder — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:53:00 GMT

12:51 p.m.: One word, in honor of the late Myron Cope, who warbled and rhapsodized and sang (to loosely call it that) about this Cleveland franchise about whom he fondly recalled stories about urinating off the top of old Municipal Stadium:

Pumpkinheads.

12:53 p.m.: Defensive introductions started with Travis Kirschke, starting for the out-for-the-year Aaron Smith. It ended, appropriately, with a spinning, hair-flying Troy Polamalu, much to the glee of the 2/3-full Mustard Bowl.

12:59 p.m.: Maybe it was all those honorary, Alumni captains -- the Steelers won the toss. Hines Ward went down the line, shaking every Alum's hand as if it were a wedding receiving line. James Farrior shook the hands toward the end of the line, where ex-teammates stood. Game on.

FIRST QUARTER

1:02 p.m.: Not a great first play from scrimmage. Rashard Mendenhall almost got the ball stripped, and Chris Kemeoatu came up limping. Second play, the 29-yard pass -- with plenty of time -- went to Mike Wallace, who nearly broke it for a touchdown. Ramon Foster in at left guard for Kemeoatu. . . 1:10 p.m.: After a Daniel Sepulveda punt that just didn't bounce with backspin, the Browns started in a rare Wildcat formation with Steelers-slayer Josh Cribbs taking the snap. He got 23 yards on his first two carries. Which prompts the question: Why not do it ALL the time. The guy played quarterback in college. And Derek Anderson threw just two completions last weekend in that eye-gouging, 6-3 victory over Buffalo last weekend, when his receivers didn't want to catch his passes. When things go bad for a club. . . 1:13 p.m.: For the record, Kemeoatu is back in, missing just three snaps. . . 1:18 p.m.: Roethlisberger has been knocked down three times in the pocket, all by Shaun Rogers. And why punt TO Cribbs? Just so Sepulveda could making a saving tackle downfield? Brownies have grand location at their own 48, and they certainly are winning the field-position struggle early. . . 1:23 p.m.: Willie Parker is in. Maybe Bruce Arians will finally stick to the ground game. Parker always runs for 100 against the Brownies. . . 1:26 p.m.: Just when Parker was running decently, Max Starks goes down. But he's walking off all right, though it appears to be a shoulder/elbow/arm injury. Doug Legursky just went in to play right guard, with Trai Essex moving over to his former tackle position on the left side, replacing Starks. . . 1:29 p.m.: That wasn't merely a fumble -- a botched snap that was kicked and recovered by Cleveland -- to award the Brownies the ball at the Steelers' 39-yard line, but it was a play where Legursky got hurt, limping off the field. This game might be a battle of attrition, as Mike Tomlin likes to say, for the offensive line alone. . . 1:31 p.m.: Eric Mangini is as smart as me -- he finally realized what these eyes say on the first series: The Cleveland Wildcat is working, particularly against an Aaron Smith-less defense. Don't. Stop. Using. It. . . . Cribbs' running and passing ability scared local coaches on Heinz Field before. . ..1:35 p.m.: OK, so Cribbs isn't used to NFL defenses, certainly not the best safety in the game. But it is time to worry: Troy Polamalu, after picking off that pass, landed on his previously injured left knee and limped off slowly Medical personnel keeps stopping by and checking on him, but he is sitting on the bench with the rest of the guys. We'll soon see. . . Starks, by the way, returned to the o-line. End of quarter, Ott-Ott.

SECOND QUARTER.

1:42 p.m.: The Brownies are rushing two -- count 'em, 2 -- and the Steelers get called for holding, in the form of Willie Colon. This, remember, is the worst rushing defense in the NFL, graciously permitting 170 yards per game. And the home side is determined to throw. . . 1:45 p.m.: Well, THAT worked. Santonio Holmes running 27 yards of that 41-yard pass from Roethlisberger, courtesy of a Mendenhall hold on pass blocking. And, first-and-goal at the 8, Roethlisberger has so much time he doesn't know whether to wind his watch (credit: Mike Lange), and finally finds Heath Miller in the left corner in front of Cleveland linebacker David Bowens. Ben was 5 for 5 for 90 yards on that drive. Steelers ahead, 7-0. . .1:49 p.m.: Breathe. Polamalu is back in. . . 1:53 p.m.: Brett Keisel committed the third of four drops thus far of Derek Anderson passes. The Browns are driving against some second teamers: Chris Hoke in the middle, Nick Eason at end. And Anderson has plenty of time to throw, but is that a good thing or a bad thing? . . . 2:05 p.m.: Who was the wiseacre that said the Steelers should run the ball? For one thing, something was bad wrong with that touchdown pass -- it was meant for Holmes, and Hines Ward cut in front and took it to the house, Steelers 14-0. Note that Roethlisberger is 10 for 14 for 211 yards -- with seven touchdowns in the past three games. He has thrown for gains of 52, 41 and a hat trick in the high 20s. . . 2:08 p.m.: If you cannot keep it from Cribbs' hands in the Wildcat formation, why ever kick it to him? A 98-yard kickoff return by a guy who had a couple of them on this same Heinz Field in 2007. Hulloh?. . . 2:21 p.m.: There's a snapshot you won't see for a long time -- outside of all the studio shows. The Brownies were celebrating a fourth-down stop and running off the field, when the officials yanked the chains to their fullest; meanwhile, the Steelers were motioning first down, and they were right. . . 2:27 p.m.: The standard for a touchdown catch in the NFL must include carrying the ball to the sideline, into the locker room and then home to your mantel. Ward rolled completely over, and it was out of bounds where he dropped the ball. Upon further review, ref Walt Anderson reported that the receiver "did not maintain control through the complete process." So the Steelers settled for a Jeff Reed field goal and a 17-7 lead. Ruh-roh, here comes a kick off. . . After a pooch kick, the Brownies take a knee (?) and head to the locker room down, 17-7, at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

2:47 p.m.: First of all, Cribbs should never see another Steelers kick in his lifetime, but at least they're pooching them now (although the guy could have lateraled it back to Cribbs). Secondly, the Steelers had no choice but to challenge that play for a Cleveland first down -- it was a completed pass, no way that just happened for these Brownies.(Statistical oddity of the first half: Anderson had a 39.6 passer rating on 2 for 9 (and Cribbs went 0 for 2, remember); Roethlisberger's was almost 100 points higher, and it would've been higher had not Ward "dropped" the TD pass). Oh, and the first-down pass was upheld. . . 2:52 p.m.: Two completions in a row! These Brownies are on a roll. Seriously, they have confidence. Not a good sign. . . 2:54 p.m.: An actual Brownies touchdown, just their fourth in six games. Polamalu was beaten on the throw. Cleveland pulls within 17-14. Two questions arise: Will the Steelers ever blow out an opponent by more than one score? And will they win this game? You let a bad team hang around. . . oh, wait, they constantly do that, huh? . . . 3:07 p.m.: In case anyone hasn't noticed, the Steelers have completed six passes of 20 yards or more thus far. Roethlisberger stands 7 yards shy of 300 passing with a quarter and a half still to play. They have compiled a gaudy 366 yards already, on pace for nearly a 500-yard day. And still they lead only by 24-14. They need the defense to make a stand, join the party, place a game on ice. Not a bad defensive stand there, but they should be smothering the second-worst offense in the NFL (if you still consider Oakland an NFL team). .. . . 3:19 p.m.: It's Turnover Time on the North Shore. Roethlisberger to the Browns, Anderson back to the Steelers -- on, and this is a sign to worry, the first sack of a Cleveland quarterback in 19 pass attempts to that point -- and now Parker (he's cold, remember) back to the Browns. What's the old polka? "I don't want her, you can have her, she's too phat for me?" Or somethin'. . . 3:25 p.m.: Back to 3:19. Anderson back to the Steelers (on yet another sack and turnover; at least the Steelers' defense has reaquainted itself with that staple diet). Mendenhall back to the Browns. That's five turnovers on a dozen plays, four in the past eight. Better production than Dunkin' Donuts.. . Thank goodness we can close the book on that quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:35 p.m.: After a defensive stand, the ball is back in the hands of the offense. . . so long as they don't drop it or otherwise place it into the Brownies' breadbasket. A grinding, old-school Steelers drive is in order here. And they're trying to do it, surprisingly, with Mendenhall. Oops, scratch that: They just threw their eighth completion of the day of 20 yards or more. . . 3:44 p.m.: The o-line and the passing game fell on their facemask there, and Jeff Reed kicked a 39-yarder to extend the Steelers' lead to 27-14. . . 3:52 p.m.: Cleveland was 5 for 11 on third downs. Five for 11 (while the Steelers were 2 for 8). Then Anderson just threw into coverage, with Ryan Clark outdueling Polamalu for an interception. Yes, indeedy, the club that continued to rank dead last in the NFL in interceptions has equaled its entire season, five-game output in one day: with two. Party on. . . 4 p.m.: Roethlisberger has surpassed 400 yards for only the second time in his career, with a high of 433 in a 2006 loss to Denver. He is at 417 at the two-minute warning, though the Steelers seem grounded at this point. (But, with Air Arians, you never know. . . .) Interesting to note: Three of his top four career yardage games previously came in losses. . . 4:07 p.m.: It's ovah. Steelers 27, Brownies 14. The Minnesota Favre-Petersons were coming back on the Ravens last we heard -- and then they come into Heinz Field for the last, true potent offense the Steelers will face all season. Should be innerestin'.

Pregame Chargers-Steelers

Chuck Finder — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:37:00 GMT

6:35 p.m.: Less than two hours until kickoff, and the fellas are just warming up -- pink shoes-to-pink shoes, Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward among them. The pink goalpost padding, the pink Gatorade towels hanging off the benches along the Steelers sideline and the pink "A Crucial Catch" slogan banner on the wall also dress up the field for this Breast Cancer Awareness Month across America and in the league.

Spotted Troy Polamalu ambling up and down the middle of the field underneath headphones, in no hurry. After a closer look through binoculars, his objective appeared clear: just out for a Sunday walk.

6:50 p.m.: A little light, pregame reading -- NFL.com's Pat Kirwan counted a combined 14 passes where Cincinnati's Carson Palmer and Chicaco's Jay Cutler were untouched by the Steelers' rush in their game-winning drives the past two Sundays.

7:07 p.m.: Interesting inactive list for the Steelers: Scratch Limas Sweed. No, Mike Tomlin has no doghouse. The others included the injured Willie Parker (turf toe), Polamalu (knee) and tight end-fullback David Johnson (high ankle sprain), plus cornerback Keenan Lewis along with linemen Kraig Urbik and Tony Hills. Dennis Dixon is the No. 3 quarterback.

The Steelers also announced that Rashard Mendenhall will start for Parker -- though the bet here is, unless Mendenhall dazzles, you will see a heavy dose of Mewelde Moore -- and Tyrone Carter will start for Polamalu. Again, Deshea Townsend received all the work at that strong safety spot in Friday's critical practice, so we'll watch closely how that plays out. . . especially against a San Diego tight end name of Antonio Gates.

Where have you gone, burnt-orange No. 4?............

For the Chargers, inactive are: safeties Kevin Ellison and C.J. Spillman, center Nick Hardwick, guard Tyronne Green, receiver Buster Davis, linebacker Antwan Applewhite and defensive lineman Travis Johnson. Charlie Whitehurst is their No. 3 quarterback.

BTW, the Chargers' inactives also mean outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is giving it a full go, whether that means select plays or he gives it as long as it lasts.

8:13 p.m.: Sorry, was out and about in the Mustard Bowl working on something. Nothing to report, though: Lotsa Chargers jersies behind their bench (family and friends), including a Lance Alworth throwback. Loved a Steeler fan with a nice facsimile of the Lombardi Trophy atop his hard hat. Something tells me there's a little kid somewhere missing his plastic toy football, which somebody snagged and painted silver. . . .

8:20 p.m.: 8:20 kickoff my tight end. But if you want a further pink update: lots of fellas in gloves, Roethlisberger with a forearm-band on his right, throwing arm, and Willie Gay, Santonio Holmes and Ryan Clark among those resplendent in the bright shoes and cleats.

Breast cancer patients/survivors are at midfield for the coin toss and national anthem. Game on.

We have football. . . sorta: Steelers-Cardinals preseason Game 1

Chuck Finder — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:09:00 GMT

8:07 p.m.: Meanwhile, back at the ranch. . . .

One-hundred ninety-three days later -- and, man, did those pass quickly -- the Super Bowl Polamalu finalists returned to kick-start their 2009 preseasons. A touchback, a nowhere run from a one-back, and the defending champYinz weren't exactly off to a repeat start.

But, then, who in Hades remembers the first coupla plays from preseason scrimmage?

If you do, report directly to your nearest emergency room. You got problems.

8:14 p.m.: What, no comments about Jon Gruden yet? C'mon, you've given the onetime Paul Hackett assistant at Pitt almost a full quarter of time on TV. You got to have an opinion of the new guy on Monday Night Football by now.

8:15 p.m.: Most of the crowd -- almost half of it seems to still be trickling in, due to Steelers-Bill Clinton-casino(?) traffic -- stood and roared at a Steelers punt not performed by the 29-yard-artist formerly known as Mitch Berger.

I think it was Bobby Walden.

No, it was surgically repaired Daniel Sepulveda. Nice punt, too. You missed him, didn't you?

8:24 p.m.: By the way, Travis Kirschke started for defensive end Brett Keisel, who was rested due to a calf injury.

8:38 p.m.: This just in: Michael Vick signs with Pennsylvania team. . . the Eagles, that is. Two-year deal, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who is still gathering details. Wait, they just signed Adam DiMichele of Sto-Rox -- they didn't need another quarterback.

And how close were the Steelers to signing Vick? About 305 miles.

Charity was always a Rooney cause, not social work.

8:46 p.m.: Charlie Batch warming in the bullpen; an early night for the starters, and would you really want to expose Ben Roethlisberger like that behind a third-team, practice-squad center? Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward were chatting on the field during the long and incorrectly announced review -- see, even the officials need preseason games to get into form.

8:52 p.m.: Limas, sweet. It's wayyyyyyyyyyyyy early, but he already -- and throw in even the AFC championship game, when he got wide open (that catching part must come later) -- is starting to look like a nice No. 3 receiver. No. 4, at worst. Nate Washington? Please pick up a white courtesy phone. . . .

8:58 p.m.: It's wayyyyyy early, and the weather is perfect for kicking, but Mike Tomlin lets Jeff Reed regularly attempt 50-yarders in camp. And he just hit that one a good 58, maybe longer. So you might see him try a few more of those long suckers in dry weather.

Oh, and beyond how Lawrence Timmons or Troy Polamalu -- who has hardly practiced in a week on that hamstring -- are performing in less-than-a-dress rehearsal, watch guys like Ziggy Hood, now on the defensive line, or Rashard Mendenhall (behind a patchwork, early line), or William Gay, or. . . more names to come. Preseason provides a gilmpse of new guys, or rising players.

for Southernburgh.

9:14 p.m.: Dennis Dixon in for Batch. Why not: Dixon can run the 2-minute drill, with 62 seconds left in the first half. And you can protect Batch's collarbone -- you know what he can do.

9:21 p.m.: Anthony Madison sure is talented -- he can make an interception AND get called for interference at the same time. Neil Rackers' 29-yard field goal with :00 on the clock ties it at halftime, 3-3. Not that it matters.

9:22 p.m.: From Bruce Springsteen to this. . . . dogs catching frisbees. John Steigerwald for years growled that this should be the standard halftime show.

And, to think, we already mentioned Mike Vick in this blog.

9:28 p.m.: Many pardons, this blog inadvertently left out Keith Urban playing the Mellon Arena in that 8:15 p.m. item about Dahntahn traffic.

9:40 p.m.: As a press-box wag pointed out, former coach Bill Cowher would've termed Joe Burnett's fumble after a 10-yard punt return "an auspicious debut." Especially considering that he meant "inauspicious," but from such verbiage he just couldn't be de-teered.

9:51 p.m.: Piotr Czech just missed a 36-yard field goal try, pushing it a tad left. But don't start those Bounced Czech puns. Every team needs an extra leg around to rest the incumbent, such as Reed.

10:10 p.m.: To answer a Comments question: No, there is no rent-a-leg punter in camp to help out Daniel Sepulveda. Maybe Mike Tomlin will give him a week off after this game. Five punts already for nearly a 50-yard average. Impressive.

Now, some early comments from the Steelers sidelines. . . . Ben Roethlisberger: "Overall, without look at film, I think [the offense] was OK. I think we had a couple of plays with few breakdowns, but it just felt good to go against someone other than your own guys." Hines Ward: "We played more, the first group, than we wanted to. We made some great plays and moved the ball out there." Max Starks about the talked-about offensive line: "Everybody is on the same page. Everybody was talking, that was very important to establish that early so there is no miscommunication, a guy coming free." Aaron Smith: "They moved the ball a little bit on us, but they didn't score, and I think we played all right. It's the first preseason game, and you're going to have mistakes here and there, guys being a little rough." LaMarr Woodley: "I think we did all right. It felt like we were on the field too long."

10:18 p.m.: Burnett acquitted himself nicely on that 42-yard interception return, huh? He resembled a fellow who knows what to do with the ball in his hands. That set up free-agent (yay, Bowie State!) Isaac Redman, who ran through one potential tackler and brushed off the arms of another in completing the final 3 yards in a touchdown rumble around right end. If this night illustrated nothing else, right there were a couple of new folks to watch this preseason, along with Mike Wallace.

10:34 p.m.: Yes, Redman is looking pretty good right now, running through people, rushing for a game-high 33 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. Remember, though, he's playing against the bottom of the Cardinals' depth chart, as well. Besides, who does Bowie State play? Rod Stewart U.? Jagger A&M? Springsteen Tech? (I know, Virginia Union and Virginia State and Pennsylvania's own Lincoln are on the Bulldogs' schedule, among others.)

10:38 p.m.: Tyler Palko of Pitt and West Allegheny made quite a quick and successful Arizona debut. As another wag noted, he should be well familiar with the small size of the crowd left. And no wonder something like 1/4 of the Cardinals roster has Western Pennsylvania ties, befitting the Pittsburgh West flavor starting from the head coach down. Palko converted all five of his pass attempts, including the touchdown to cap his five-play, 59-yard, 1:59 drive.

10:53 p.m.: Czech, please. This one's over, 20-10 Steelers, on his field goal with 1:41 still to play. Didn't have that buzz of the last time they met, huh?

Super Bowl XLIII Live (pre-game edition)

Chuck Finder — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:35:00 GMT

6:21 p.m.: This intrepid reporter is a fan of Faith Hill, but Jennifer Hudson just delivered as stirring a national anthem as you'll hear. Game time.

6:10 p.m.: All right, it's official -- there are a lotta younz in the stadium. The PG's scientific survey says between 60 and 80 percent of the 65,857 place is filled with Steelers fans. Not quite as many as Super Bowl XL in Detroit. But pretty darn close, in this economy, at this distance from tahn.

5:48 p.m.: Here's a sight and sound you can only find at a Super Bowl: Beleaguered punter Mitch Berger, the last Steeler to exit the field and head to their locker room, raised his helmet aloft and the Steelers throng in the South end zone let out a clamor. (For the record, as of now the Steeler contingent appears to be up to 50 percent of the crowd, but plenty of empty seats remain. We'll find out when the teams enter the field for game's start. Some Cardinals fans brought their white towels. . . . Oh, check that, a "Here We Go Steelers" chant, and it looks like maybe 70-percent gold towels. Indeed, the late Myron Cope would be proud.)

5:46 p.m.: Huge crowd roar as the Steelers wind up warm ups and head to the locker room

5:33 p.m.: In a live interview this afternoon at the White House, President Barack Obama predicted "the Steelers are going to eke it out in a close one." Moments later, Mr. Obama told NBC's Matt Lauer, "I'll see if I have to eat my words."

5: 30 p.m.: Both teams on the field stretching

5:10 p.m.: Dispatch from a nation (San Diego) From Left to Right: USMC Lts. Todd Mondelewski, Cameron Nelson and Lindsey Steele. Nelson just returned TODAY from a 10-month deployment in the middle east and is holding a towel that he had tucked in his gear as he flew missions as a flight surgeon in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Mondzelewski was deployed in Iraq for Super Bowl XL, so he is particularly jacked to be watching today's game in the comforts of home, rather than a desert tent.

4:58 p.m.: Inactives: Pittsburgh -- safety Anthony Smith, cornerback Fernando Bryant, linebacker Bruce Davis, tackle Tony Hills, tackle Jason Capizzi, defensive tackle Scott Paxson and defensive end Orpheus Roye with Dennis Dixon the No. 3 quarterback; Arizona -- cornerback Eric Green, fullback Tim Castille, linebacker Victor Hobson, tackle Elliot Vallejo, tackle Brandon Keith, defensive tackle Alan Branch and ex-Steelers tight end Jerame Tuman with fellow ex-Steeler Brian St. Pierre the No. 3 quarterback.

4:46 p.m.: Ticket sales, thanks to excess Steelers Galaxy fans in tahn, are spiking -- almost $1,000 higher per ducat than their late-week bottom of $1,200 or so. One local seller tells the St. Petersburg Times that he expects RayJay to be 90 percent black and gold.

4:11 p.m.: Ward, by the way, is warming up by catching passes. He's got a small, pull-on, cushion brace around his right knee -- not the bulky variety. He looks relatively hale and certainly at ease, posing for a photo and still chatting with Jerome Bettis. Meanwhile, members of Steelers West are catching up with old pals, a sight that will continue: Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm chatting with Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Cardinals defensive coach Matt Raich and Haggans hugging and greeting others, Steelers injured quarterback Charlie Batch talking to a warming up Cardinals No. 3 quarterback Brian St. Pierre. . . .

3:58 p.m.: Check this aht. . . . It's a balloon scene from a grocery-chain store in -- wait for it -- Bawlmer.

Ravens country.

Ray Lewis' turf.

Thanks to Michael Assad, son of part-time sports correspondent David Assad, for sending along this freeze frame, of which he wrote: "I bet my Polumalu shirt you'd never see any opposing team's colors in any Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh."

3:54 p.m.: Hines Ward just greeted The Bus and ex-Steelers teammate Clark Haggans of Arizona at midfield, and Towels waved, throats roared. And there's maybe 3,000 people in the stands?!

3:25 p.m.: First Steeler on the field? Jimmy Neutron, of course. He must be a fast dresser. Because still, 10 minutes later, he remains the one and only.

3:22 p.m.: A day at the beach? Yep, Steelers fans were walking around Clearwater Beach this morning, all kinds of Hines Wardses, Ben Roethlisbergers and, of course, Troy Polamalus. There were even some James Harrisons along Kennedy Boulevard between Tampa and the beach, including a gaggle of fans around 9:30 a.m. . . going to church? Now that's devout fandom. One last note: The highway department isn't on top of its game -- one flashing sign over Kennedy/Florida Route 60 heralded, "Stadium Parking Next Lfet." Rghghghghit.

3:03 p.m.: Oh, man, wish I had a camera. The Steelers offensive line just took a shoulder-to-shoulder team picure atop the Super Bowl XLIII logo on the end of the field near their golden end-zone (field photo hopefully coming soon). Man, Willie Colon is stylin' in a mountain-brown fedora and matching suit -- without sleeves. Gerry Dulac termed it the "Clint Eastwood look." Now if he and his linemates can pull a "Gran Torino" on the Cardinals' defensive line and tell them to get off his lawn. . . .

2:44 p.m.: The scene around Raymond James Stadium: Welcome to Heinz Field South.

Put it this way, Ford Field was filled with Steelers Nation (now Galaxy) to close to 90-percent of its 65,000 capacity, meaning that the Detroit building held somewhere between 49,000 and 58,000 Towel-wavers. RayJay holds 857 more, but the early guess here is it will wind up 60-percent filled with black and gold. That's up to 40,000 Steelers fans.

We'll soon find out, but it's a noticeable, marked advantage for what is officially considered the visiting team for this game. Considering the economy, considering the nearly extra 750-mile trek to Tampa (and you betcha alotta folks drove it), considering the corporate greed clutching almost half the seats ever Super Bowl, that's still impressive. There you go.

2:35 p.m.: Game day.

Live AFC championship game blog: Ravens vs. Steelers

JerryMicco — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:05:00 GMT

5:11 p.m.: Still nearly 90 minutes to game time, but you can sense the excitment in the air walking in. It's positively balmy here around 30 degrees and there is no snow. The fans are all around tailgating and only a few thousand are actually in their seats. Looks like a typical Steelers home game, but we all know that's not the case. It is the Ravens and it is the chance to go to the Super Bowl with a victory.

5:15 p.m.: Here are the inactives for today's game. Ravens: WR Terrance Copper, CB Samari Rolle, RB Jalen Parmele, LB Antwan Barnes, LB Robert McCune, OT Oniel Cousins, G/T David Hale, QB Todd Bauman (3rd QB). Steelers: S Anthony Smith, CB Fernando Bryant, LB Bruce Davis, OL Tony Hills, OT Jason Capizzi, DT Scott Paxson, DE Orpheus Roye, QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB). Frank Walker will start for the Ravens at CB for the injured Rolle.

5:20 p.m.: From Colin Dunlap, part of our team at today's AFC title game:

Something that seemed a little odd if only for two things:

1. How close to kickoff it happened.
2. The Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette, one of the most veteran of all NFL reporters, even commented on the oddity of it.

As players from both teams milled around on the sideline, eager to get onto the field and stretch their legs a little, the tarp seemed to stay on the field for a very, very long time, even as no precipitation was falling. The grounds crew didn’t begin its removal of the tarp until 4:45 p.m., a process that took almost 30 minutes, ending at 5:13 p.m.

6:05 p.m.: Both teams are out on the field now. And there haven't been any Joey Porter type of pregame incidents. That's surprising given the history of these two teams. The stadium is probably half full as the tailgaters steadily stream inside Heinz Field. Most people, in the press box and in the stadium, are mesmerized by the Cards-Eagles playoff game. A game that had all the earmarks of a blowout is now tight as a drum. Field looks to be in great shape, there is a little left-to-right wind as you look at the open end of the stadium. Kickoff in about 30 minutes. Get ready!

6:15 p.m.: This is like a parallel universe: Arizona is the NFC champions and headed to the Super Bowl. Who's next, the Lions? I'm sure if the Steelers can hold up their end of the bargain tonight, the multiple storylines of a Pittsburgh-Arizona Super Bowl will make our jobs even busier than ever. But we'd not have it any other way. I guess we all tend to forget the Cardinals have a two-time MVP, and Super Bowl MVP, at quarterback and great young receivers, led by former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald. And the defense has gotten progressively better as the season has gone on. I don't think that's their strength, the offense is, but they've got some very nice players. Give it up for former Steelers OC Ken Whisenhunt, who has brought a once-sorry franchise one game away from the ultimate prize.

6:31 p.m.: Great National Anthem by Martina McBride. The most impressive thing was seeing 50 members of our armed forces holding up 50 state flags. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines holding them. Wonderful site and makes you realize while the world in Pittsburgh, and for many of us, revolves around this game, we know that for the fighting men and women of the armed forces, there are bigger, more important things in their lives. Keeps a lot in perspective.

The place is pretty much bedlam right now. Terrible Towels whipping as the Steeelers enter the field. Just as many boos for the Blackbirds, who just came onto the field. Steelers are introducing the defense. Is it possible that Casey Hampton has actually put on more weight during the season? It's like the Jack Lambert syndrome in reverse. And the biggest cheer is always reserved for Troy Polamalu. Time to get this thing going.

6:41 p.m.: Darren Stone, say hello to Carey Davis. Wow, what a shot.

6:42 p.m.: Well, at least Willie Colon got his false-start-a-game out of the way early. And Ben had all day on that pass. Too bad Nate Washington couldn't hold on. Third-and-long is no fun vs. the Ravens.

6:45 p.m.: If the line gives Ben that type of time all day, he'll absolutely kill the Ravens. Best he's looked all year, putting that ball in a tight spot.

6:46 p.m.: Nice start, get the ball and get some points. A TD would have been better, but in this game you take what you can get. Move the ball and score. Then let your defense take care of the rest. The cold didn't affect the Steelers offense, let's see if Joe Flacco & Co. can move it against the best defense in the NFL. With 11:22 left in the first quarter, Steelers 3, Ravens 0.

6:48 p.m.: Darren Stone, the guy who was flattened by Carey Davis on the kick return, has a concussion. His return is doubtful.

6:55 p.m.: I'm very surprised by three passes from the Ravens to open the game. I know neither team will rely on the run to win this game, but of the two teams, the Ravens rushing attack is probably better at this point. Shows how much confidence they have in Flacco, but it also was a three-and-out. Were you a bit nervous when you saw Ike Taylor extend that arm on that long pass to Mark Clayton? Some buzz in the press box on that one. Let's see if Ben and the boys can put together another drive.

7 p.m.: They just put up a short video of Pens players from their locker room waving terrible towels and a couple in helmets. Got a nice cheer. Marc-Andre Fleury, today's first star in a 3-0 win over the Rangers, was one of the 4 pictured players in one video. Sid Crosby did a separate video. On the game front, the Baltimore receivers aren't helping Flacco any. Bad game to have the dropsies.

7:02 p,m.: Eagle eye Gene Collier called that pick by Deshea Townsend. He was lined up to blitz and dropped off, confusing Flacco and leading to the pick. Willie Parker has no hands. That's why you don't see dump offs and screens for him. Be nice to get more than 3 here, but I guess it's not time to get greedy.

7:06 p.m.: You'd really like to have Hines Ward in this game. He's on the sideline now walking it off, but he's limping pretty good. He'll probably be back, but that was a wicked ankle roll. Santonio Holmes coming up big again. You have to like the fact that with Ward out, you have a guy like Holmes. Oh, oh, wait a second. Baltimore challenging. Looks close to me.

7:11 p.m.: Good call by John Harbaugh on that one. Once I saw a replay, it was obvious Holmes didn't hold on and it hit the ground. Ward has gone to the locker room to get his ankle checked. Ben took a pretty good whack when he let the ball go on that fourth-down play. But if anyone has been money for the Steelers this season, give a nod to Jeff Reed. You take the points you can get in this one. With 6:11 left in the first quarter, Steelers 6, Ravens 0.

7:18 p.m.: Hines Ward has a right knee injury. His return is questionable.

7:22 p.m.: One of you asked about type size, I bumped up the size a bit. Let me know if this is better. I'm surprised to hear that Ward's knee is injured. His ankle was caught underneath him on that catch. But it's hard to keep a good man down. Ward is back in the game.

7:25 p.m.: What is it you don't want to do when you play the Ravens? Give them short fields. And do not have turnovers. Ray Lewis forces another fumble and now the defense has to really step up. The Ravens were pretty lethargic, especially on offense, and now you give them a spark.

7:27 p.m.: Alarms should go off everywhere because Byron Leftwich is warming up in earnest. Ben took that big hit a couple series ago when he threw that pass out of the end zone. He was drilled from behind on that play and looked to reach down to his ribs. You really want a healthy Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward in this game. That was a giant defensive stand and it looks like Ben's back in the game. We'll see if he's dinged up.

7:32 p.m.: End of the first quarter, Steelers 6, Ravens 0. A pretty dominant performance by the Steelers, who did not allow a first down and possessed the ball for more than 10 minutes. Need to keep an eye on Roethlisberger and Ward to see if the cold weather makes those injuries worse.

7:36 p.m.: It is so much fun to watch Santonio Holmes play football. And how about Heath Miller's blocking on that play? Nate Washington even got in a shot on Ed Reed near the goal line. Holmes is becoming one of the league's most exciting open field players. And the Steelers, even with Ben visibly nicked up, are getting some protection for him. And Ben's doing a nice job of getting away from rushers, too, and buying time. If the Ravens aren't careful, this could get out of hand. Which is a good thing for the packed house here and the Steeler Nation. With 13:58 left in the second quarter, Steelers 13, Ravens 0.

7:41 p.m.: One hour into the game, and more than 17 minutes on the clock, Ravens get a first down. The defense is more than holding up their end today.

7:46 p.m.: Not often you see James Farrior take a straight arm like the one you saw Ray Rice deliver. That was a huge play for the Ravens. If nothing else, it gets them out of the hole.

7:51 p.m.: How many injury bullets can you dodge? Looks like Harrison got his bell rung on that play. Nice defensive stand and a big-time sack by Aaron Smith, who has played as well as anyone on the defense this year. Well if they can stay healthy, the Steelers would love to run some clock right now with this drive. It's a rather slow-moving game with 7:06 left in the second quarter. If you're a Steelers fan, you can have little complaint so far in this one. You want to keep moving the ball and protecting it against the Ravens defense. The more you keep them out there now, the more you may be able to move it better in the fourth quarter.

8:04 p.m.: Ward's return to the game is doubtful with that knee injury. You're going to see some Limas Sweed and Nate Washington the rest of the way. Young players get dumb penalties sometimes. That one by Chris Kemoeatu, even if the Ravens player had a hand in his face, was not smart. Time to punt.

Near disaster there on the punt return by Leonhard. Another short field. You can only call on the defense so many times.

8:09 p.m.: Very, very close call on Bryant McFadden, but that's going to happen sometimes. Great block by Willis McGahee on Lawrence Timmons to keep Joe Flacco from getting killed. If they can hold the Ravens to 3, that's a great victory.

8:11 p.m.: That was way too easy and now the Ravens are back in this one in a big way. The fans are giving it to the officials with the favorite barnyard chant. But reality is, the special teams had a breakdown and it made for another short field for the Ravens offense. That's their best chance of scoring in this game, and the Steelers have done that twice this game. Fortunately for them, it has only cost them 7 points. With 2:40 left in the second quarter, Steelers 13, Ravens 7.

8:19 p.m.: There is very much a feel of momentum change now in this game. The Steelers offense has gone very basic and did a poor job of trying to run off some clock that last possession. Losing Ward is a pretty big blow, but you have to react and get other people the ball so you can continue to pressure the Ravens defense. This is a key drive for the Steelers defense.

8:21 p.m.: Let's see if the nice defensive stand and another fine punt return by Holmes can translate into points. That should have translated into seven points, but Limas Sweed just dropped at wide open TD. You feel bad that he's injured, but is there a more sore spot on his body than his hands? What a tough turn of events for the Steelers. Just a brutal drop. And Sweed, who has been a bust in his rookie season, is now hearing it from some fans here. Let's hope that play doesn't come back to haunt them. Wow, a tough loss. Ugh.

8:26 p.m.: There's the makeup call for the McFadden interference. No way that was a roughing the kicker. That nice play to Heath Miller shows just how the fortunes for a player can change in a few minutes. Limas Sweed absolutely drills Corey Ivy on that play. One press box comment on Sweed after the block: "Maybe they can make him a guard."

8:31 p.m.: Poor, poor clock management on that last series. You get the points when you can in this game. We'll all look back on that series -- Sweed's drop and then the clock running out deep in Ravens territory -- and maybe it's the key to the game. I guess we'll see. The Ravens get it first in the second half in this very slow-moving game. End of the first half, Steelers 13, Ravens 7.

8:45 p.m.: First half stats: Steelers outgained the Ravens 208-74 on offense. Hines Ward, doubtful the rest of the way, led the Steelers with 3 catches for 55 yards. Holmes had 2 for 70. Willis McGahee had 42 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Roethlisberger threw for 188 yards and a passer rating of 86.8. Flacco threw for 39 yards and a passer rating of 9.8. This is going to be dicey to the end. Too many big mistakes down the stretch for the Steelers. They are going to need an early big play.

Attendance is 65,350, a new Heinz Field record. The old mark is 65,242 in the AFC title game in 2005 vs. New England.

8:53 p.m.: That was a good stand by the defense, but now the offense has to get some points. Even if it's three points, it'll put Baltimore two scores down and in the long run, you want their offense having to scramble to score. Maybe it's me, or maybe you dear fellow commenters to this blog sense it, too, but do you see the offense getting too conservative when maybe they should be flinging the ball around for some offense.

8:57 p.m.: There is no one open on that play, but Ben took the sack anyway. Could have thrown it away and saved the 7 yards. This is not good. The offense has to get back on track again.

9:02 p.m.: OK, who's going to make the big play and either get the Ravens back into it or pull the Steelers far enough ahead to be somewhat comfortable? There's just over 9 minutes left in the third and the sense I'm getting is the Steelers are relying on defense to win this one, but someone on offense -- or special teams -- has to make a play. Maybe Nate Washington? We'll see. Another important series if the Steelers can possess the ball and get some points.

9:06 p.m.: Carey Davis? You get Carey Davis to make a big play, which in itself is nearly a miracle, then you give 14 yards back on a sack.

9:08 p.m.: You forget they have a terrific tight end on this team in Heath Miller. Huge play if for no other reason it gets you good field position. And the run by Parker was his best today -- for 6 yards, but now you might be able to do a couple things if you can keep this drive going. They need points right here, right now.

9:13 p.m.: Reed is just money, big money. That was a huge series and the Steelers did what they had to do, getting the Reed FG. More importantly, they ate up 5:29 of the clock in doing so. It's two scores for the Ravens now, which is no easy task against the defense. The special teams can do their part by keeping this return short. With 3:38 left in the third quarter, Steelers 16, Ravens 7.

9:19 p.m.: Good answer by the defense, in particular big plays by LaMarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu. Again, even if they get no points, the offense needs to get out of the hole and possess the ball. And most importantly, not turn it over.

9:21 p.m.: Well Steelers Nation, you are three-quarters of the way to Tampa for a meeting with the surprising Arizona Cardinals and their coach, Ken Whisenhunt. After three quarters, Steelers 16, Ravens 7.

9:24 p.m.: Nice catch by Sweed. If he drops that one, which was right on the numbers, Tomlin probably plays tight ends as wide receivers. Announcement here: Mewelde Moore has an ankle injury and his return is questionable. So you get a third-and-1 and you go empty set and try a pass? Wow, you got to be able to get that yard. It was a chance to run another couple minutes off the clock. And then you get Berger to essentially miss a punt. That was a brutal couple of plays there. Once again, the defense is going to have to come up with a big stop. For the record, a 21-yard punt.

9:30 p.m.: I mean, you had to call holding on that play. It was blatant.

9:33 p.m.: No close call there, that was pass interference on Ike Taylor. And I'm trying to figure out why William Gay is in for Bryant McFadden. I've not heard that McFadden is injured, but he must be to be out of the game. And there's a score by Baltimore's best offensive player today, Willis McGahee. That was too easy after the good field position. The momentum is shifting as we speak and the Heinz Field crowd goes very quiet. The Steelers offense absolutely needs a drive and some points on this possession. With 9:29 left in the fourth quarter, Steelers 16, Ravens 14.

9:42 p.m.: Lousy series after good field position. The offense has tanked when it was needed and now this game is firmly in the hands of the defense. That was a break on the personal foul call on Daren Stone, who was drilled on the game's first play. Not how he wanted to return, I'm sure. Steelers get a huge break in field position. There's less than seven minutes left.

9:46 p.m.: You can see Flacco's big arm now. He's starting to get the ball downfield to his receivers and he's getting time to do it. I'm sure the Ravens would love to get the clock on their side and get close for at least a FG attempt. The defense is absolutely going to have to force a stop on this side of the 50. The advantages the Steelers have is with that time out, the Ravens are down to one. And Baltimore has no challenges left. Still, I'm not liking the karma here. Just a feeling, nothing more.

9:52 p.m.: OK, I like the karma much better now. A great play by a great player. And it was defense, dear readers, that prevailed in this one. We are next to the Rooney's box and even they are going pretty crazy. What an electrifying play by Troy Polamalu. How's the weather in Tampa, I think the Steelers just got a huge step closer. With 4:24 left in the fourth quarter, Steelers 23, Ravens 14.

9:58 p.m.: One of the reasons we love football are the big hits. But when you see both players down like this, that's a horrible feeling. This is not good for Willis McGahee. He took a helmet shot from Clark, he ducked his head a bit into it, but nonetheless, he's badly injured. This probably sews it up for the Steelers, but you are reminded on a play like that why the NFL enjoys so much popularity and why it is often favorably compared to the gladiator battles of ancient Rome. No one likes to see this, even though like a train wreck, we can't take our eyes off of it. Let's hope McGahee is OK and recovers from this with no problems. Ryan Clark is on the bench and appears to be OK.

10:11 p.m.: The McGahee hit and subsequent seriousness of it has quieted the crowd here. It should be much more festive, but I think when folks see that, it makes you think. The latest update on McGahee is that he has movement in his arms and legs, but has significant neck pain. The movement is good news. Let's hope he's OK.

10:14 p.m.: It's official: "Pittsburgh's goin' to the Super Bowl." All hail the great defense of this team all season long. And they'll need a big effort vs. Arizona to win their sixth Super Bowl ring. In all, it'll be the Steelers seventh Super Bowl. Here we go.... We'll be back for a late recap.

10:17 p.m.: Normally we head for the locker room right away, but the players are all on the field for the presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy. And the crowd, the vast majority has stayed, just serenaded the team with the "Here we go..." song. And they even plugged the P-G on the big board here. We had some front pages made up for sale at the stadium saying "Here we go (again)!" as the headline. Newspapers do this quite often for some stadium sales. We'll have a ton of stuff in print and on the Web about this game, and there's much more to come.

Wednesday post-practice injury report

Chuck Finder — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:50:00 GMT

Linebacker Terrell Suggs (shoulder), fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle) and cornerback Samari Rolle (thigh) all missed Ravens practice in Baltimore today. Sure, it's still early -- Thursday practice and, most important, Friday's tell more of a tale for Sunday. Meantime, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has said all along that Suggs may well be an up-to-the-last-minute situation, though Suggs claims he would miss his first of 97 career games only if he isn't breathing.

Also absent from Baltimore practice were top receivers Derrick Mason (knee) and Mark Clayton (thigh), plus linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf) and defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot).

Limited in practice were middle linebacker Ray Lewis (shoulder), safety Ed Reed (knee), tight end Todd Heap (back) and fullback Lorenzo Neal (shoulder). Ain't no way Lewis and Reed would miss this AFC Championship game. No matter how battered are the Ravens, who have played 17 weeks in a row after having their off week changed due to the hurricane in Houston.

Does somebody need the Owie Cowie?......Nah.

As for the Steelers, receiver Hines Ward, halfback Willie Parker, defensive end Aaron Smith and cornerback Deshea Townsend got their usual day off today while center Justin Hartwig (knee) sat out practice.

Chargers-Steelers live (in-game edition)

Chuck Finder — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:49:00 GMT

7:58 p.m.: The end. Steelers 35, Chargers 24. Same night next week, same venue, same old Ravens, 6:30 p.m.

7:52 p.m.: Ruh-roh, 62-yard pass from Rivers to Darren Sproles. . . but (can't resist) he comes up short. Chargers, 24-35. Four unanswered touchdowns by the Steelers were too much. So much for the maligned offense this night, eh? Sproles, for the record, has 11 rushes for 15 yards. Russell snagged the onsides kick to secure it.

7:48 p.m.: Only twice before this season have the Steelers conjured as many points as this, at Cincinnati and in that Texans opener. And they hadn't mustered more in their previous eight postseason games, that 36-33 Cleveland conquest (referenced earlier over the punt return) in 2002. In 48 playoff games in Steelers history, only four times have they scored more. One more historical footnote: Parker's 146 yards are the third-most in Steelers playoff annals, and the most since Franco Harris' 153 against Baltimore in 1975.

7:41 p.m.: The party's over. Warm up Styx and the Bolts bus. Remember, though: You aren't talking about the old axiom of beating a team three times in a season, you're talking 'bout attempting a hat trick over Ray Lewis and the menacing, confidence-swelled Ravens. And didja catch Ray-Ray on NFL Network with his fellow U. of Miami man Warren Sapp on Saturday? He says the Raves' D prefers the road, because the quiet home crowd allows the fellas to hear each other's pre-snap calls, adjustments and advice.

7:34 p.m.: On his 24th carry, he went wide right, shedding a would-be tackler, for 27 yards to give him 122 yards on the game. But, uh, shouldn't he stay in bounds? [By the way, this marks Parker's first 100-yard playoff game, now at 146 after that 16-yard, open-hole touchdown run (nice evening for the o-line, with just one sack to boot). Despite that 75-yard touchdown run in Supe XL, Parker compiled but 93 total on the game.] Seventy-three yard drive, ate up half of what was left of the fourth quarter. Steelers, 35-17 Factoid: Parker hasn't had a two-touchdown day like this since the first half of the first game, against the Houston Texans.

7:28 p.m.: When you want to milk clock, you throw deep -- element of surprise, OK, so that's slightly comprehensible -- but then call time out?

7:23 p.m.: 10-play, 73-yard Chargers march and a touchdown -- not what the Steelers wanted or needed at this point. So it's a two-score game now. The offense, ahem, needs to piece together a time-consuming drive and conjure points, though either would suffice.

7:09 p.m.: You know you're having a horrible day when, in 15 minutes' time, you head a punt to the other team AND have a bad pass-interference penalty on ya (yes, there is such a thing as a good one). Eric Weddle stuck again for the Bolts'. But, wait, they didn't give it to Davis? Gary Russell with the wide-left TD run with 12:52 remaining. A long way to go in this one, folks, as columnist Gene Collier just pointed out. So long as the defense doesn't lapse into a prevent and fail to rush Rivers, it should have breathing room. Steelers, 28-10.

7:05 p.m.: Chargers after that failure fall to 2-for-8 on third downs. That's crucial. If Steelers get a field goal on this possession, there's reason to feel relatively safe. Mostly due to that defense.

7:00 p.m.: Yet another goalline stand by the Bolts. Funny, but the right side of the offense -- and the Bolts' defensive left side -- looked like it had the upper hand in numbers, so a sweep or a Spaeth short out pattern or maybe even a Roethlisberger roll out seemed to be the way to go pre-snap. And giving it to Cary Davis? It's nice to reward the fullback, but your quarterback or Parker are your stars for a reason. Up to the defense. Another James Harrison end-zone strip?

6:59 p.m.: Third quarter time of possession: Steelers 14:43, Chargers :17. Seventeen seconds? Cripes, Britney Spears has been married longer than that. Twice.

6:56 p.m.: Hitting Hines Ward outta bounds? It's the Karma of Tim McKyer coming back to undo the Bolts. End of third quarter.

6:52 p.m.: What I meant to say was: If you punt the ball off Eric Weddle's widdle head, and William Gay recovers on the edge of the red zone. . . .

6:46 p.m.: Foote's hand was ruled to be underneath the ball -- and replays seemed tough to judge. . . . Trick call on a vital third-down-and-short? Better question: You want your $102 million franchise player with a concussed brain blocking one of the largest, toughest nose guards in the NFL, Jamal Williams? Geez, Roethlisberger threw a block like a good o-lineman. Even if the Steelers wind up punting, killing the clock and killing the Chargers' retribution chance at scoring would be monumental.

6:40 p.m.: Well, that's another way to regain momentum. . . Rivers' pass was tipped by a leaping Brett Keisel; o-lineman are supposed to keep their blockees down on earth, and Marcus McNeill failed to do it, but clouted him immediately afterward for bad measure). Then Larry Foote appeared to wrest that interception from James Harrison's hands. Hey, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year has enjoyed enough pub lately, anyway. Coach Norv Turner challenged the ruling, and why not because the game hinges on this juncture right here.

6:39 p.m.: Well, that's one way to lose your hard-fought edge -- a 63-yard kickoff return by Darren Sproles.

6:33 p.m.: Heath Miller! True, it's excruciatingly early. But Roethlisberger has gone 12 of 18 for 135 yards to this point and, besides the overthrows to Miller once and Holmes (juuuuust) twice, you would draw the conclusion here that he is sharper than he was last year against Jacksonville and even in Super Bowl XL. While I was typing....Miller again! Make Roethlisberger 13 for 19 for 143 and one touchdown after that 8-yard pass to that perpetually open tight end. Huge drive and touchdown. Steelers, 21-10. Wow, 13 plays, 77 yards, 7:56. Give credit where it's due: Arians, Roethlisberger, the line, the trainers, the commissioner (shout out to the Washington & Jefferson College grad), anybody with the offense on that drive.

6:28 p.m.: All right, get out your pool slips.....63,899 was just announced as today's attendance.Now that Parker has one good run among his first five carries, notice that the Chargers are rotating defensive linemen even on the same series. They may have made adjustments to play the gaps better. We'll see. Big possession here for the Steelers, particularly considering they deferred just to get this opportunity to pile on points to end the first and start the second. . . . Oooooh, milimeters, or less, from a game-breaking completion to Holmes. Actually, upon further review, it hit his fingertips, itwasthatclose.

6:14 p.m.: For you pro-Parker folks, he has 52 yards on 10 rushes. Cozy little average, eh?

6:11 p.m.: Halftime. [As we wrote at 4:56, let's stick with straight cocoa, coffee or tea, sollight?]

6:07 p.m.: Lovely deep pass by Roethlisberger -- once, twice, third time's a lucky lady. Nice placed over linebacker Stephen Cooper, and what was he doing covering Ward so deep? Oh, because Antonio Cromartie wasn't there in time. Sixty-six yards in 76 seconds, Parker polished it off with a touchdown sweep left on a nice block from. . . a fullback?. . . Cary Davis. Steelers, 14-10.

6:05 p.m.: Oh, what the hell do I know.

6:04 p.m.: Check, check! He will boot himself 56 yards through the uprights for missing Holmes on that easy post pattern for a touchdown.

6:03 p.m.: Roethlisberger will kick himself over missing that wide-open Miller in the right flat. That play would've put them in instant field-goal range, or helped for a touchdown chance.

5:57 p.m.: Nate Kaeding, showing no ill effects of a groin injury that caused him to miss practice time late this week, converted a 42-yard field goal on the far side of the two-minute warning. Bolts, 10-7.

5:49 p.m.: Can't wait to hear the post-game explanation on that fake punt. Those two Chargers, Antwan Applewhite and Jacob Hester, were completely unblocked as the snapper Jared Retkofsky and the left side of the line went left, and the right guard and that side moved right. Ryan Clark had no chance. The gambling call isn't so bad, but the execution -- or failing to check off it -- are open to debate. That's giving the Bolts a field goal, minimum.

5:34 p.m.: During the last two timeouts, the grounds crew came out with snowblowers and cleared the lines every five yards. Looks like Willie Parker and the offensive line are using those as guidelines. The o-line is pushing back blue-whale Jamal Williams and the Bolts' defensive front, allowing Parker and the occasional Mewelde Moore open lanes to rip off decent gains. That could have a wear-and-tear effect on this defense later.

5:10 p.m.: (Sorry, folks, either the wi-fi connection in the press box or the PG blog software is slooooowwww right now.) Holmes quickly makes amends for that holding call with a dandy punt return for a touchdown. Bolts punter Mike Scifres, the MVP of the wild-card victory over Indianapolis, kicked it 53 yards from the snowy shadow of the open-end end zone, but Holmes made a mad dash a team-record 67 yards for the knotting score. He eluded a lunging Brandon Siler, cut through an open middle and ambled down the left sideline -- pausing only to hurdle Legedu "I'll Buy a Vowel, Pat Sajak" Naanee. Tie, 7-7. For the record, it was the Steelers' first postseason, punt-return touchdown since Antwaan Randle-El's previous-record, 66-yarder against the Browns in that Jan. 5, 2003, come-from-behind, 36-33 victory. Get this: The last time the Chargers gave up a punt-return for a playoff score, Lyndon Banes Johnson was in the White House -- the 1965 AFL Championship game, to Butch Byrd of the Buffalo Bills.

4:56 p.m.: Put the bottles and cups down, people. Heath Miller on second down strained to erase the Santonio Holmes holding penalty and get back to the first stick, but at least one-third of the . . . uh, insulated. . . crowd began cheering because they thought it was a first down beyond the second stick. Then Ben Roethlisberger performed a quick-kick punt on fourth down -- left-footed. Let's see, if you're nimble with both hands, you're ambidextrous. What is it with both feet? Oh, yeah, you're a soccer player. . . . By the way, a bubble screen and a quick kick on the opening series? What are we watching, is Mike Tomlin's first boss Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers calling plays?

4:49 p.m.: The Stay Classy Chargers scored in two minutes, one second. And it shouldn't have taken them that long. Antonio Gates was wide open on the first play -- how do you miss that guy in coverage? Darren Sproles appeared to be a couple of fingers away from breaking a screen pass for a long distance. And Vincent Jackson motored downfield on a post pattern, with Ike Taylor behind him and unable to stop Philip Rivers' perfect, 41-yard touchdown pass. Four plays, 75 yards, mute Heinz Field crowd. Hey, it was so quiet, you could hear the snow fall. Bolts, 7-0.

4:45 p.m.: With Jerome Bettis present as an honorary co-captain, the Steelers won the toss -- tails, for the record -- and opted to defer. Biiiig mistake.