2008 Week 12 - Bengals @ Steelers

this is a special presentation of NFL Network through franchises in sport resemble the hard-nosed personality of the city they represent quite like the five-time Super Bowl champions of Pittsburgh and once again the Steelers leave their division deep into November but the Steelers have a tough road ahead and there is no room to take anything for granted tonight the Bengals hit town eager to serve up a cold dish on the Steelers in their run to the playoffs it's time for Cincinnati and Pittsburgh to kick off week 12 on Thursday Night Football there are few things in this world tougher than steel unless of course you go to Pittsburgh there at the confluence of hardscrabble and beach into appall you will find the Steelers forged from a winning tradition this team is built like no other they have a big burly QB with an even bigger earlier name they have receivers to play like love backers [Applause] Lock backers who play like tags good morning nothing yeah [Applause] this place is so rough-and-tumble that even the towels are terrible into this taxi environment come the Cincinnati Bengals who find themselves more familiar with tough times than tough team [Applause] it doesn't matter what side you're on what passage [Music] football on NFL Network it's gonna be tough and welcome to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania sparkling in another cold crisp night perfect for November football welcome inside Heinz Field where it is 32 degrees and the crucial words meaning feels like 22 degrees it is a stiff wind and snow is expected as the Steelers and the Bengals kick it off right here in Heinz Field and welcome to the set location on the South Plaza in Pittsburgh PA right it right near where the confluence of the three rivers meet I am Rich Eisen pleased to be joined by Steve Mariucci Deion Sanders Marshall Faulk and the Dancing with the Stars champion we're gonna call it right here and now Warren Sapp no Chad Johnson tonight Deion Sanders what happened with him I spoke to Chad as early as today and this afternoon when he got off the plane landed back in Cincinnati he came in tardy for a team meeting on yesterday evening leaned his head up against the wall still trying to get some rest I don't know why should have been prepared Dolph it's the coordinator told him to sit up on a couple of cases Chad wasn't in the mood to hear anything he got up walked out of the meeting then ensued with a Marvin Lewis confrontation that they went back in fourth and Chad was then sent back to Cincinnati Chad has apologized to Marvin they're there they're together on this whole story this whole situation but no Chad Johnson and I don't think he will be Reverend thus far I think this whole incident and his suspension tonight will be it Steve how big is this big I'm looking forward to is the game within the game the battle of coordinators Bob brickowski offense coordinator the Bengals and Dick LeBeau the defensive coordinator of the number one Pittsburgh Steelers they have to protect it with all those own blitz is coming to keep Ryan Fitzpatrick upright or it'll be a long day clip it's pretty simple for me I want to see I want to see who's going to retaliate for what happened with Hines Ward keep rivers we've got to take it and go out there and maybe maybe get five you're referring to the hit that Hines Ward laid on Keith Rivers the last time they played I'm going through weekend number one overall pick for the the Cincinnati Bengals knocked down for the season with a broken jaw got something better for you I got missed the James Harrison facing a rookie and Anthony Collins a veteran like that with 12 sites with a rookie somebody don't have to give him some help it's time for some football guys Bengals get set Bob Papa and the Cris Collinsworth with the call and aerial coverage tonight provided by something out of your own heart near and dear to you Deion Sanders yeah KFC a little game called Steelers and Bengals coming your way exclusively here on NFL Network Thursday Night Football we're kicking off week number 12 ten minutes from now don't go anywhere as I mentioned Bob Papa and Chris Collinsworth with the Ochocinco Liske all right here on the network [Music] Thursday night football on NFL Network is brought to you by the Motorola ROKR eh one touch from talk to music [Music] we welcome you to Pittsburgh where the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger coming off an exhilarating win against San Diego on Sunday on Thursday Night Football have a big AFC North showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals the Pittsburgh Steelers sit atop the division currently at 7 and 3-1 game clear now the Baltimore Ravens the Terrible Towels are out it's cold it's Steeler weather as we take a look at the updated playoff picture heading into this weekend's action in the NFL Pittsburgh currently in the number 2 seed the Baltimore Ravens with they're battling for division title one game behind heading into this weekend's action the Steelers have the toughest record of the National Football League it doesn't get any easier they have to travel to New England at home against the Cowboys then off to Baltimore at Tennessee before wrapping up at home against the Cleveland Browns go get it we want so glad you can join us for Thursday NFL Network pop pop along with Chris Collinsworth Chris we start though with the Cincinnati Bengals they're 181 and the big story today no Chad Johnson he's been deactivated for violating team rules they surprised by me maturity no I mean it's Chad Johnson let's tell the truth but with Carson Palmer on the sidelines with the injury Chad Johnson is the Cincinnati Bengals best player and your best player has to be better than that if your offensive coordinator if your coach wants you to sit up straight in your chair then you sit up straight in your chair because otherwise those younger players on that team look at you seeing you get away with it and it starts to deteriorate unfortunately Chad Johnson hasn't gotten that message well while Cincinnati is about subplots Pittsburgh is built with the blocks of defense ferocious that's where they bring into the game tonight no question about it one of the best defenses in all of football led by James Harrison the sack machine himself Lamar Woodley is running mate on the other side Aaron Smith I think as good a defensive end is there is in the game pressure pressure pressure James barrier inside the leader Troy Polamalu they call him the quiet assassin on the back end you have Ike Taylor and so many times in the National Football League when we get call it game we're talking about the quarterbacks we're talking about the running backs and wide receivers when you're talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers it is this defense we're gonna showcase some night and have some fun and Cincinnati's got some issues too because they have injuries on the offensive line more about that well the man who coordinates the defense for the Pittsburgh Steelers is Dick LeBeau a few moments ago he was honored for his 50 years of on-field service in the NFL I'd like to thank the Rooney family Pittsburgh Steelers the National Football League the Steeler Nation [Applause] all the people that helped me along the way but mostly I want to thank our players let's go Steelers [Applause] dikhhla ball class actress he certainly as he was our defensive coordinator for two Superbowl runs and absolutely one of the finest people in the NFL three-time Pro Bowler a bunch of interceptions while playing for the Lions and his entire defense and head coach Mike Tomlin were out there to stand with them cable cam presented by Kay Jewelers as we get set for tonight's national anthem as the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals all set for Thursday Night Football cable cam presented by Kay Jewelers time for the national anthem here's Chris Kirkpatrick Clarion Pennsylvania Chris Kirkpatrick [Applause] oh say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we at the twine last name me whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight or the ramparts we watched were so good Lea streaming [Music] the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there [Music] whoa Jose that star spray Gold bad yeah [Music] [Applause] [Music] and the home [Music] it's a fired-up Heinz Field in the Terrible Towels Thursday Night Football on the countdown to kickoff Steelers and Bengals coming up next Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by Kay Jewelers every kiss begins with Kay [Music] [Music] back at Heinz Field the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals getting set to kickoff Thursday Night Football Ben Roethlisberger will get the football first since it out he won the toss and elected to defer tomas vergis 7 & 2 i'm tom against Cincinnati and Shayne Graham who missed that overtime kick on Sunday against Philadelphia the game that finished in a tie thirty novel get this game underway here at Heinz Field isn't it amazing Shayne Graham historically the best kicker of all time between forty and forty nine yards misses the game-winner from that range last week now it sums up the season to us Russell and Davis back deep for Pittsburgh and it'll come down a Russell from his own 13 yeah Russell takes it out to about the 26 yard line and as we take a look at the starting lives for Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers Roethlisberger 46 and 19 is a starting quarterback 25 and 8 his record here at Heinz Field Willie Parker back from injury had a good game last week ever D for yards at Carey Hines Ward 53 catches on the season leading the wide receiving core heat Spiller back from that angle injury Mac stark starts at the left tackle spot and Darnell Stapleton's done a nice job at the right guard spot for Kendall Simmons who's out for the year on injured reserve with an Achilles injury still is a work out of a one back set Ward goes in motion Parker the tailback on a first and ten Willie Parker not a lot of room to run and he snuffed out after about a half yard game we take a look at the Cincinnati Bengals on defense they run a traditional 4-3 front that is their base defense Robert gathers two and a half sacks on the season pack oh and Thornton our tackles of the middle Pat Sims though gets the start tonight David Jones will start at one corner with Jonathan Joseph nicked up although we will see Joseph during the course of the game and Chris Crocker starts at safety for the injured chin Adam and Duke way the second and nine for the Steelers Parker goes in motion on the opening possession of the ball game we're off the spur ger Santonio Holmes and he's got a first down antwuan Odom by the way for Cincinnati was a late scratch frosty Rucker gets the start tonight Roethlisberger hits on his first pass of the fast Santonio Holmes yeah I remember when Pittsburgh Steelers football was sort of the Jerome Bettis in the three yards and a cloud of dust and power and all that well it's changed a little bit over the last couple years under Bruce Arians and Ben Roethlisberger they're opening things up a little bit so even though huddle on occasion now Ward goes in motion Parker and one back seven first and ten Willie Parker shut down after no gain on the play you know the one thing about Cincinnati Chris despite all their woes this year's Dhani Jones made the tackle they've played some pretty good defense which Cincinnati's not known for over the last few well really the Cincinnati Bengals this season are completely upside down you know I mean forever it's been Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh and big scoring offense and almost no defense well this year they can't score any points on offense and their defense is playing great so who knows the honey Jones says we understand the defense every but it's kind of fitting in mentally and it's matching the physicality of it second down Roethlisberger nearly intercepted by David Jones yes he had that one diagnosed well as they try to get the ball to the tight end and David Jones a second-year man out of wingate in for Jonathan Joseph with a nice play you know a very strange play in many ways here Matt spathe they're just turned around it right underneath where Heath Miller was Heath Miller returning from the something just wasn't right with that one because when spaeth turned around he drew the coverage right to it third and long for Roethlisberger in the Steelers here on the opening possession of the ballgame as they spread the field out of a shotgun set [Applause] Roethlisberger looks left and completed today Washington who had it at midfield and couldn't reel it in so after one first down the Steelers will have to punt not a bad job by Johnny Jones on coverage that time but this is a perfectly enthronement football just a simple little turnout against the man coverage right there you can't throw it any better than that in a Washington who makes a lot of big plays occasionally will miss one like that TJ who spins out of back deep on the Paul Ernst er punt and kicks out of bounds along the Steelers bench and spot it out at the 30 yard line so Cincinnati will get their first turn on offense after 33 yard punt no score here in the first Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by Southwest Airlines low fares no hidden fees The Home Depot official home improvement sponsor of the NFL the superball hardware of the Pittsburgh Steelers good job by the Cincinnati defense that allowed one first down but forcing the Steelers to pot so the bangles will start first in ten David Jones nearly had a pick they got to make plays defensively crisp to kind of upset this apple cart that's exactly right Ben Roethlisberger to him a chance and they didn't take advantage Houshmandzadeh in motion cédric fencing the former bear the tailback and Troy Polamalu makes the tackle for no gain for Troy Polamalu as he always does Ryan Fitzpatrick the Bengals quarterback said on every snap the ball I have to look for that air outside and know exactly where he is here he's going to come right off the edge and make the play in the backfield not only is he a sensational leader great hitter and all that stuff here's a guy that runs a 4-3 five forty one of the fastest players in the league and he flashed it there Benson and a one vac set on second and ten Benson plows forward and gets a couple as we take a look at the Cincinnati Bengals starting offense for this evening with Ryan Fitzpatrick the fourth year man out of Harvard 29 completions into tie against Philadelphia Cedric Benson is rushed for 283 yards since joining Cincinnati led Holt starts for Chad Johnson deejay who spins on with 73 pass Anthony causes rookie at left tackle living the left guard inexperience on that offensive line defense in Pittsburgh on a third and six Kenny Watson in the backfield with Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick with some time throws it underneath to who spins out of it short of the sticks by two yards well I think if you're looking for good news for the Cincinnati Bengals and they didn't turn it over there B they didn't give up a sack which they gave up eight last week seven the last time they played the Steelers and really the two young guys on the outside the left tackle anthony collins and left guard nate livingston held up pretty well on that one Kyle Larson with a high font not deep Santonio Holmes yells scatter that feels it off a hop at the 18 yard line so Pittsburgh will head to the second offensive possession no score here in the first on Thursday Night Football well they certainly love to tailgate here in Pittsburgh in late arriving crowd Elector had a Dodgers game may be the tailgating was good Pittsburgh was able to get a first down and then had fun on their first possession Ben Roethlisberger best record in the division since 1970 19 and four with a minimum of 20 starts first and ten for Pittsburgh with Willie Parker working out of an eye Pittsburgh Louis retied in out of this formation Parker hit and dropped after a gain of about a yard Marvin white on the tackle well Ben Roethlisberger's and company Chris when you take a look at his wins in his first five seasons already at 46 victories yeah and I always say when they people show me a stat or a graphic like this I said well who else is on that list and you see Otto Graham at Dan Marino and Tom Brady and John Elway that's for real that that's a real list right there he knows how to win when it can make some unbelievable play blitz on for Cincinnati they worked the end around at Nate Washington since an ante had it sniffed out perfectly and holds it to a gain of about three Leon Hall was there for containment with frosty Rucker who's a little slow getting up frosty Rutgers in for Antoine Odom who's already inactive because of injury well the Bengals come with a blitz there and they get hit with a reverse which is really just about the perfect call to have on in that situation because typically you get man coverage down the field but for the Bengals who have enough issues another entry this time the frosty Rucker is not good Marvin Lewis is one of what's next third year man frosty Rucker's shaken up on the last play Jonathan for Nene will come in for him Rucker started because Antwon Odom was inactive so third and five for the Steelers from their own 24 yard line I'm a welding more in the game in the backfield with Roethlisberger [Applause] play clock down to five roethlisberger can't find homes and once again Pittsburgh will have to punt you know this is a Cincinnati Bengals defense we hit on it a little bit but they have been playing much better as of late Mike Zimmer coming in is the new defensive coordinator the last two weeks they've held the opponent's 268 yards rushing that being the Eagles who like to throw the ball anyway in Jacksonville but don't forget the Eagles you know the Eagles they play five quarters against them so it has definitely been an approvable earn stir with another short punt that goes out of bounds along the pittsburgh bench there is a flag on the play back in the 28 yard line the poor punt for Ernst to rod winter veteran official is our referee 28 yard punt there in the kick holding number 34 the receiving team 10-yard penalty first down serious a bear called for the penalty negating some good field position for Cincinnati well the windchill is 23 degrees 80 percent chance of snow well let's make it a hundred percent of snow flurries start to fall here at Heinz Field no score here in the first quarter Cincinnati on their second offensive possession with an offensive line that his makeshift Cris Collinsworth a lot of injuries and they're trying to just patch it together yeah to say the least they called it MRI Monday they had three offensive linemen the MRI reports came back one at a time Levi Jones and with Scott kustra all out of this game so the butchy anthony collins in playing left tackle and nate livings who's never played in an NFL game welcome to the NFL against the number one ranked defense in the National Football League's Houshmandzadeh in motion on a first intent for Cincinnati catch made by Glenn Holt along the sideline and see if they will pick up about five yards William Gay on the coverages we take a look at this Pittsburgh Steeler defense Aaron Smith four sacks on the season the linebackers Lamar Woodley nine and a half sacks James Farrior has two Larry Foote has one and a half and James Harrison with 12 Mike Taylor and William gay the starting corners and Ryan Clark and Ford Polamalu for top cobol of the safety second and four no running room at all for fencing and he's grabbed by James Farrior around the waist and brought down the 80th tackled the season for James Ferry and you know talked with Marvin Lewis yes he said we know the outside guys need to get there but it's Ferrier who wins the one-on-one matches that really causes us the biggest problems yeah and James Farrior is the Chase linebacker if he's the guy that's typically on the front side that gets to go make the plays and Larry Foote is the poor guy that has to sit back on the backside and wait for anything cut back I don't think Larry's putting fixing that role so much and barrier wears him out on it sometimes Ben he's awfully good at it pittsburgh is forced 56 three announced this season the most of the NFL wide open Chris Henry and they convert that time to the steel of 41 yard-line Fernando Brian who signed last week makes the tackle after a gain of 14 we're already seeing a little different kind of pass protection as you watch Chris Henry on the route from the Cincinnati Bengals the last time these two teams played they basically allowed the outside linebackers who are such prolific sack masters to go up against backs and tight ends this time they're going to play those guys with tackles instead of backs Benson with some contact picks up about a yard before he's run out of bounds by Ryan Clark he got the first hit on him Cedric Benson of course the former high pick the number four overall pick of the Chicago Bears and was released there for some off-the-field type incidents picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals who have been a little desperate at the running back position for quite some time haven't had a lot of luck even with high draft picks they're in there that said with Benson can fill that gold brought a little bit more of a sense of physicality to the running game when they were getting out of first Perry who was having fumbling problems second and nine checked down underneath the side end Reggie Kelly he's knocked down by James Farrior at the 35 yard line I'm filling up a manageable third down for Cincinnati and there is Dick LeBeau and Dick LeBeau is deciphering what's going on and what's going on right now is that the Bengals are not going to hold the football they are not going to do what they did the last time these two teams met when they gave up all those sacks they're going to drop back three the five steps get the ball out of their hands the Pittsburgh wants to try and blitz that so did its Patrick for for for for 29 yards he spins out in motion on a third and four Watson the tale by Fitzpatrick with time whose Manzano first down Polamalu runs him out at the 24 yard line and on the third down conversion for Cincinnati and a first down TJ Houshmandzadeh who is leading the National Football League in catches and leading the NFL on third down conversions converts another one there William Gay getting the start because of some injuries in the secondary to the Steelers Brian McFadden out to Shea towns and out and TJ able to work his magic actually the field worked against the Steelers that time usually it's other teams slipping that time that was william day to tight end set you Tech in motion on a first and ten Fitzpatrick to throw find the check down the fencin runs off one tackle from Harrison and then gets dropped just outside the 20-yard line poke and farrier cleaned it up well the Bengals have been doing a much better job with protection so far that time Lamar Woodley coming in James Harrison and the tight end is able to help and protection out there but this looks like a different game this time around and sometimes you wonder with all the speed that the Pittsburgh Steelers have on the defensive side of the ball and their ability to blitz when this field gets a little worn out at the end of the season does it actually begin to work against them you saw that graphic about starting in their own territory this Drive started at the Cincinnati 38 yard line and flags fly and was Chris Hope offside for Pittsburgh [Applause] outside defense number 91 in the neutral zone to snap five-yard penalty remains second down at the left in Chris hope yeah right inside would you call this a little sleepy start for the Pittsburgh Steelers I mean clearly here's the division leader one of the top teams around the Bengals come in with one win little sleepy start out here it is a short week especially the emotional game that they've played on Sunday and event San Diego having to come from behind and win so a second and one Benson fights hard he gets the first down he wiggled out of the Polamalu tackle and it looks like he's right near the first down marker the yellow line is unofficial well catch NFL replay for our ears of the weekends for best games enhanced with wired sound and exclusive footage we take you on the field behind the scenes to get the postgame reaction NFL replay Tuesday's in Wednesday's eight 9:30 Eastern only on NFL Network well the Steelers probably the biggest improvement they made on this team is in the red zone defense ranked number one in the NFL this season after being 22nd a year ago first and 10 Fitzpatrick just checks down to Benson and picks up about three yards on the play but he's ruled out of bounds didn't get his feet down so it's incomplete I think it's every fence and said why bother I think you could have completed that pass they come out there and you just have to be able to drag that foot a little bit and I don't know too good the hearts were back I mean that's a receiver move the backs really think about that dragging their feet tapping the toes this is called professional football yes you're supposed to think about tapping your toes after what happened last night I've wondered go on tenth play of the drive little direct snap to Benson and Pittsburgh not fool he takes it to the 10-yard picks up three Ferrier again on the tack though the bengals going with their version of the Wildcat offense this time and the pittsburgh steelers not cool you know this is one of those offenses now that i think every defense in the NFL is spending a little time preparing for it I would guess half the teams in the league running what the Miami Dolphins sort of started this season when they beat the New England Patriots well Cincinnati's converted a couple manageable third downs on this Drive a third and six Watson in the game to the right of Fitzpatrick good protection and Holtz got it for the touchdown boy Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a whistle inside and Fernando Bryant was beaten Lana Holt with a touchdown catch his first of the year well they did a great job on the outside got both outside linebackers block James Harrison on the left side on the other side Lamar Woodley blocked as well and then the replacement for Chad Johnson Chad couldn't have done any better than that it works it in there against Fernando Brian who is a late season pickup for the Steelers because of some of the injuries on the corner Chad Johnson he activated Glen Holt got the start Glen Holt gets a touchdown and Shayne Graham completes the extra point so a 62 yards driving led Holt the return man gets a receiving touchdown of the Bengals strike first Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by Jarrod the Galleria of jewelry with five times the selection of ordinary jewelry stores back in the Steel City Ryan Fitzpatrick seven of eight in the ball game 54 yards and a touchdown and you take a look at the scoring drive 11 play 62 yards they hit on all three of the third down he manageable slow downs Chris a third and three a third and four and a third and six including the touchdown pass to hold his first touchdown catch of the season Graham on the kickoff come down to Gary Russell Russia with a head of steam Russell runs over Graham Russell to the 45 and tripped up there 43 yards on the return but a smart to steal what they were sleeping before they're sleeping no more as the big guy comes running down the field and with a big return and this Pittsburgh Steelers offense needed that list remember this is the Steelers offense that had 400 yards last week and didn't score a touchdown they've gone six quarters now six plus almost seven without an offensive touchdown so that touchdown by the Bengals looming a little larger right now Parker in a one back set on a first and ten Roethlisberger Washington tackled by Jones but it's good enough for a first down gain of 12 on the play well the one thing that really changes the dynamic now as you look at Bruce Arians the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers is having heaps Neil Miller back in the lineup they're starting tied in he's the guy that not only can stretch it down the field but is a very productive blocker that really helps his run game as well Hines Ward said he's one of the best in the league it's just we don't run an offense that's going to feature him for 80 or 90 catches Barker on a first and 10 picks through the defense picks up about three and a half on the play Robert gathers on the tackle talking Akane Joneses take a look at this chief Miller they're working on the outside against Robert gathers gathers did a pretty nice job of coming off there even with the sprained ankle though that's what they like to run and Bruce Arians the coordinator was telling me that he had a hard time putting the game plan together without Heath Miller he's had to take about a quarter of the offense out Parker the lone setback on a second and six cutback Lane is not there gobbled up beautifully Irish Argenti the outside linebacker the third-year front of Central Florida I think the biggest change that I've seen in Cincinnati this year is how much better they are with their run fits in if if I can explain it a little bit you know everybody has a gap and a lot of teams especially poor teams they try to chase out of their gap and do something beyond just their simple responsibilities Mike Zimmer has hammered on these guys from day one forget about what your other guys doing out there do your job this defense will take care of itself and they certainly have been much much better than they've been in years third and eight for Pittsburgh Roethlisberger for Holmes can't find him white and Jones with the bracketed coverage on Santonio Holmes or certainly one of the storylines in Pittsburgh over the past couple of years anyway has been the number of hits that Ben Roethlisberger has been taking he's a guy that believes in standing in that pocket Jonathan for Nene coming through almost getting a shot there that they have been trying to get Ben to get that ball out of his hand but they understand that's his style and he's probably not going to change Ernst you're on the punt and it bounces out of bounds at about the 16 yard line fans not pleased with Paul Ernst er who was signed on November the 5th so the Steelers find themselves trailing Cincinnati Roethlisberger can't pump up at home some of the Bengals out of the lineup on offense tonight carson palmer's missed the last seven with that elbow injury Chad Johnson deactivated for violating team rules and then the left side of the offensive line out Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth but so far Cincinnati Bengals offensive line has kept Ryan Fitzpatrick clean it's Patrick seven of eight for 58 yards in a touchdown pass and with 47 seconds to go on the first cincinnati with a seven nothing lead coats and fence and makeup the eye behind Fitzpatrick Benson picks up a couple on the fly well I was talking to Ryan Fitzpatrick earlier in the week and I asked him what the biggest difference was between now the first time they played the Steelers he said that the coaches are actually showing a little more confidence in me used to be if we were backed up on our own in they never let me throw the ball we just run run run and punt the football out of there and I said can you explain the difference in playing in the National Football League he said it ain't Ivy League anymore he understands defensive tackles were faster than he is now Benson again on second down fighting for extra yards and takes it out to the 24 yard line and what will be the final play of quarter number one James Farrior and Casey Hampton on the tackle well story in quarter number one Ryan Fitzpatrick engineering a 62-yard Drive at Heinz Field including a touchdown pass to Glenn Holt Bengals for the 7 nothing lead after one aerial coverage tonight is presented by KFC a cold evening in Pittsburgh in November Thursday Night Football on NFL Network miss Berg Steelers trailing the Cincinnati Bengals they've got the heat blasters on the sidelines fans are fired up Cincinnati starting the second quarter facing a third and three on the last drive Fitzpatrick three for three on third downs fires one again wide open first down and then dropped by holt he had it and dropped it well the Bengals to that point had been tremendous on third down and it was why they were winning the game three for four to that drop and that was a pretty easy one the Pittsburgh Steelers really the difference because they are over three on third downs don't forget the Bengals last week against the Eagles held down to three for 18 on third down so that has really been the strength of his defense later he is all the third downs have been short the longest one has been third and six short punt that time by Larson of 31 yards well NFL Total Access takes you around the league latest news and information from all 32 teams NFL total access which isin leads to ban Monday through Saturday only on NFL Network Chris remember the earlier meeting this year in Cincinnati the Bengals had five consecutive three announce every third down was third and 10 tonight the keeping it manageable Holt just dropped an open pass Steelers defensively they're number one in this one to best at three announce they force teams off the field in a hurry Willie Parker flag on the play as Parker picks up about a half yard gentie on the tackle that flag comes in the vicinity of offensive holding Ron will tell us to be holding our D offense number 83 10-yard penalty repeat first down and see Spiller YouthBuild are on the outside trying to keep that block it's a little bit tougher to see there but from other angles you can see that he grabbed that Jersey on the inside of the shoulder pads and pulled him down it was a good call by the officials and I think Mike Tomlin wants to hear about good calls he got a lot of calls last week he didn't care for too much and 13 to 2 in the penalty disparity so on first and 20 Roethlisberger finds his tie Dan Heath Miller and he takes it up to midfield Crocker on the tackle it's a gain of 14 that time the Cincinnati Bengals coming with the Blitz and they just ran a little picked to the outside Hines Ward's gonna come out and go right through Rashad gentie and just give Heath Miller enough room to come back inside and make up for those 10 yards he lost so second six for midfield the Steelers with Parker back in in the one back set office burner checking at the line play clock down to five [Applause] looks left he's got Ward underneath Hines Ward inside the 15 and shouldered out at the 13 yard line by David Jones gain of 37 on the play the safety Chris Crocker got fooled on that and they went with an out and up route on the outside to Nate Washington up here and the free safety watch him right in the middle of the field he's going to go with the pump fake and then Hines Ward comes back underneath him for the big gainer rocker just reacting a little too soon that time the Pittsburgh putting a good drive together here in the second down seven nothing they have a first and ten from the 13 Roethlisberger checks down to Miller and it's incomplete thought he had Ward you know what's interesting and it still is taking me a little while to get used to this with Bruce Arians offense is you know you hit a big play and certainly Ben Roethlisberger we've already documented one of the top quarterbacks in football you spent slumping a little bit later but he is but they hit that big play there down inside the 15 and to see him go to spread formation I mean typically you think I'm coming in now we're going to pound it in there the way the Pittsburgh Steelers do it's just not the way they're playing their first meeting they had a first and goal up to three and threw it three times and had to settle for three Parker picks up the yard and that's it Jonathan Finney named on the tackle you want to welcome those of you for joining us on nfl.com welcome to NFL Network Thursday Night Football remember you can log on now to nfl.com slash live for enhanced coverage of tonight's game well typically this is where you begin to get some pressure from defenses and the well be more in the backfield one bag no tight ends and if you're going to bring pressure for Cincinnati they've been burned over the past few weeks by it let's see if they're willing to come with it here last week in the red zone they had to settle for two field goals on three trips third and nine were office burger the sidelines and lime is Swede the wookie out of Texas held shorten first down by David Jones nice play by Jones to wrap them up and for Lima sweet not a great effort at the end of this when they were really just trying to get the completion inside technique on the part of Jones and you'd think a guy that big would be able to fight through this to pick up the first down he went down pretty easily that me touching before he was able to stretch that one out Mike Tomlin is gonna go for it here on fourth and one they bring in the extra tight ends Gary Russell the tailback and I set and Cincinnati get a big stop here early rustle extra effort it's closed probably got it with the extra effort another one of those great free agent pickups by the Steelers well if you believe the yellow line it is and there's been a little debate in Pittsburgh here this past week mostly started by Willie Parker because really partner wanted to be the Gold Line it's short yardage guy right and instead Gary Russell who was tremendous a week ago picking up a couple of them against San Diego and I said why not Willie Parker and I won't tell you who but one thing the answer came back is that the first down actually came back in Willie Parker was just running the hole would give him the ball but he's not following his fullback and so we're not going to give him the football in short yardage and go lon go Jonathan Nene had a hand on Russell but he couldn't finish it up nice job on the outside by Big Mac Stark's a lot of people wondered why they paid him all the money but now with the injury to marbella strip they're glad they did Roethlisberger five of ten five different receivers Ward and motion burst in gold Parker dropped right in his tracks Marvin white the second year man out of TCU with the tackle well the Bengals did bring a little pressure on the outside that time and got to the full-back before he was able to get going on that one and that really ended up being the difference John McHugh who plays tight in as well who's met right in the backfield and it was easy to clean it up after that Barker 7 carries for five yards second and goal Roethlisberger has is tied an for a touchdown another second touchdown catch of the season and Mike Tomlin went through it on fourth down converted and then he Miller with the touchdown overloaded to that side and you saw Matt's faith come out and the guy that he thought had man coverage against Heath Miller and blocked him and then Milt Miller able to sneak out in the corner of the end zone aren't you - hold on this Jeff read extra point [Applause] that was good and Reid knocks it through so heath filler able to haul infant Roethlisberger's touchdown pass were knotted at seven here in the second [Music] Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by viagra sprint get NFL mobile live only from Sprint only on the Now Network back in Pittsburgh the Steelers go 54 yards on eight plays Ben Roethlisberger with a three yard touchdown pass to Heath Miller to key on that drive Gary Russell fourth down run on fourth and one the extra effort Chris got him the first down again I think Mike Tomlin had seen enough of his offense going seven quarters without scoring a touchdown and he knew emotionally it was important for them to stick it in once they got it that close Cincinnati will get the football remember since that he's last possession on a third down Holt had a big drop that would have kept that drive alive with the wind it's not a quartering across the stadium the ball falls off the tee Glen Holt his back deep he averages 25 yards to kickoff return on 37 chances [Applause] hope to his own for find a crease and then upended by William Gay after 28 yard line Bengals and Steelers tied at 7 here in the second when you think Steelers you think defense Steel Curtain man they are the number one defense in the National Football League Cris now look at the list every single thing on there those are the six major defensive categories and they actually took over number one against the run last week holding San Diego to just 66 yards rushing and the New York Giants helped as well pending over 200 yards on the Ravens and that's why that one flipped 207 against Baltimore first and 10 Fitzpatrick just dumped it off to Daniel Coates the full-back and it looked more like self-preservation Larry Foote put the pressure on Fitzpatrick well this is the one of the oldest if not the oldest defense in football so you can pull out all the gimmicks you want against them these guys have seen it before and especially the guys inside you know a James Farrior and Larry Foote those guys watch hours and hours of film and half the time offensive players I tell you they'll call out your play before you even snap the football second and 10 Chris Henry has a first down just across the 38 yard line well speaking of off the field issues Chris Henry I would say is one of the leaders of the clubhouse in that category right there and yet he's come back and tried to keep his mouth shut he's taken his medicine he's taken a lot of licks in the media and with the fans but he was going be a significant player in this one because Chad Johnson is home Chad Johnson deactivated after violating two rules last night first intent Benson gets a couple his foot grabbed him around the ankle and for Marvin Lewis you know he likes Chad Johnson he wants good things to happen to him but you cannot directly disobey your coaches you know and especially in front of the rest of the team because it just it chops the coaching staff down it makes them look awful in front of the rest of the team and so Marvin Lewis had no choice really then that just simply cinch at home on a second down Benson with some room tripped up by Taylor but blocked by Stacy Andrews the spring of you know we talked I talked with Marvin on the field before the game he said listen you know let one thing go what do you say to the other guys what do you say to the rest of the team you've got to be consistent at least internally they got to make an official announcement after announcement is that Chad went too far he was asked to sit up was it too happy he was sleepy and not happy to be in a meeting and basically he said I was gonna go to the bathroom and that bathroom trip took them all the way to Cincinnati third and one Watson did not get there it's closed while the mullah got his head in there and Cincinnati doesn't think they have it they've shut out the funding you James Farrior is just going to fill right up the middle and not only does he get the hit but he drives them backwards when you're talking about short yardage this is the thing that's 225 pounds middle linebacker they've had a pretty go in there that size in the past and Jack Lambert about the same size but that was a shot from James farriers huge play Larson to punt with spiraling kick they're catched by Holmes step inside his 10-yard line well James Farrior and his 12th year out of Virginia hasn't lost a step watch him on Chris Perry Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by National Car Rental go national go like a pro courtyard it's a new stay over Thanksgiving just a week away and Christmas coming festive spirit here in Pittsburgh Steelers and Bengals tied up at seven Pittsburgh will start from their own nine with Willie Parker at a one back set Miller in motion he has the Pittsburgh touchdown Parker squeezes through the hall in Crocker drops him at the 15 no Bob you brought up a great point I thought during the commercial break talking about why Chris Perry with that third one play you know Cedric Benson had been getting you some pretty good chunks of yard he's a bigger more physical back and they turn around for Chris Perry's first carry in a long long time and he was met in the hole and driven backwards you just have to wonder what Cedric Benson would have done there at Benson 10 carries for 27 yards but he got some yards after contact I was the first carry of the game on a third and one Parker again near the first down marker Brandon Johnson on the tackle you know the interesting thing about the Pittsburgh Steelers new style of play and that being sort of a more throwing around wide open style of play is this offensive line is really built more for running the football they're big strong physical rise not very fast you know just don't move very well sometimes they'll miss on those pass blocks but you give them a chance to do this come off the ball and a third one usually they're pretty efficient hey it's Steelers it's Pittsburgh cue the snow third and inches they give it to Davis and he's got the first down and plenty more Gary Davis the third year man out of Illinois with his 11th carry of the season and when it just gets down to this you know and you've put them on a phone booth and you're playing nine on seven football as they call it in practice during the course of the week most times the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to beat the Cincinnati Bengals I mean let's just say that historically if you say which team is the tougher in that kind of situation it's the Pittsburgh Steelers and that's what they've made their name on Ward was motion man on a first in town Roethlisberger Santonio Holmes diving across midfield before he's tripped up at the Cincinnati 49 gain of 27 on the outside Santonio Holmes who had his off-field issuer Li er this year as well though is a guy that they think is on the verge of becoming a really big playmaker here in Pittsburgh they think that if this kid ever matures and just grows up and gets his life together off the field talent wise there just aren't many guys in the NFL that could match what he can do I'm watching the practice yesterday I mean he's so gifted athletically Parker bounces off one tackle is able to pick up about two and a half on the play well coming up next on the sprint halftime show Deion Sanders interviews Terrell Owens and we'll have Bengals first-half information getting it done without Chad Johnson deactivated before the game where she can see the entirety game day morning on Sunday give you a little preview of Dion and tio suddenly the snow has intensified a little bit Steelers weather second and nine Roethlisberger Donny Jones knocked it away now the bank is starting to dial up a few pressures and they're playing man coverage on the outside Dhani Jones who really has become the intellectual leader of this defense for the Cincinnati Bengals he was an outside linebacker his entire career with the Giants with the Eagles and they think that this move inside has actually been pretty good for him that he was sure to slow as an outside linebacker but you put him in there get him in coverage against the tight ends he's pretty good told us his dad always said you're suited for the middle I thought I was a weak side linebacker I guess my dad was right I like it in the middle the honey and Hindi means thinking man Roethlisberger Holmes has got it inside the 30 and a first down were you talking about a maturing Santonio Holmes working against Leon Hall here watch the patients he shows at the top of this route a little move to the outside instead of just a one cut move he's going to actually turn his hips turn his head to the outside halt bites just enough and Roethlisberger with a terrific throw on a third and nine this Drive started at the Pittsburgh nine yard line first and ten now at the Cincinnati 26 Parker loses about a half yard Brandon Johnson got the first ten you know one of the guys that I think is probably hurt most by this field is really Parker I mean here's a guy one of the fastest running backs in the league and you could just see him out there in the frustration he wants to make that one cut turn the corner make another cut but on this field it's more of a drone Bennis field you know just take it in there and pound it away and I don't think those double cut moves are gonna be very effective for Willie tonight saw the yardage 14 yards on 11 carries Parker goes in motion on the second and 11 little screen Keith Miller get supply and spit up and drop 20 yard line by the Leon Hall will equal own the right tackle got a block early to get Pete Miller a couple extra yards another one of the packages Ricky Miller but for Cincinnati right now they are getting zero pressure I mean really Ben Roethlisberger is standing back there in the first game these two teams played it's the only game this season that Roethlisberger wasn't sad and so far the Bengals tonight not doing any better and you can see the frustration level starting to rise as they try to get their impressive Drive that started at the Steelers 9 they've moved too deep into Bengals territory at the two-minute warning tied at 7 kickoff every Sunday with NFL game day morning the first and best pregame show with all pros Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk NFL gameday morning at 10:00 Eastern only on NFL Network we take you around the leak to all the important games with live updates in reports each and every Sunday morning here on NFL Network snow has intensified a little bit Steelers facing a 3rd down at the 19 of Cincinnati a drive that started at the Pittsburgh nine Roethlisberger with time knocked away by Jones intended for Holmes well a good Drive that time for the Pittsburgh Steelers but it's going to come up short again they go with three by one formation three receivers at the top of the field and they tried to run a little inside pick play that time for a Holmes but good job in the secondary by David Jones he tucked himself right in behind Holmes didn't allow himself to get picked and was able to knock that ball down Jeff Reed will try a 37-yard field goal lay the ball so hit Holmes chest so this to give Pittsburgh the lead from 37 and Reid knocks it through with Jeff Reed now 17 of 18 on the season Mike Tomlin loves them Steelers by 3 Pittsburgh Steelers go 72 yards and 11 plays Santonio Holmes with a big 22 yard catches the snowfalls here in Pittsburgh Geoffrey - 37 yard field goal - Blair's trying to keep warm pittsburgh has scored the last ten and have a 10-7 lead you got to be careful with those heaters you can set your shorts on fire with theirs and you're so cold you don't even realize that sometimes we played in that freeze bowl game in Cincinnati in the AFC Championship game 59 below with the windchill I was trying to crawl inside that either Reed to kick off holt back deep cold has the touchdown in this game for Cincinnati and a 10 yard catch he'll field it on the run from his own 11 tripped up and dropped right near the 30-yard well there's James fire in that Pittsburgh line backing core that's made their presence felt yeah they sure have they are probably the best in the game right now they are all over in every direction Lamar Woodley early on and forced the hit by foot the hit by barrier on the big third down play and this is a team they they feel like in talking to James Farrior earlier this week he thinks that they should win games without an office they don't care if their offense scores they think that they should get safeties like they did last week they think they should score touchdowns like they should have done last week that the officials had messed it up they think just their side of the ball is enough to win games let's top a little logo on a first and 10 periyavar wrong and Aaron Smith on the tackle Harrison and he will go no huddle here yeah Aaron Smith one of those guys Dick LeBeau says that in the entire time I've been here I can count on one hand the number of times he's been driven out of his game second of ten Harry on the screen Harry gets back to the line of scrimmage and that's it timeout called by Pittsburgh now with Cincinnati facing a third and long and 1:16 to go the Cincinnati Bengals have to be a little bit careful here they're starting to get into that mode as they come out there with the little slip screen pass that time to Perry but boy you end up in these third down and nines and third down and tens you could end up with a touchdown going in the other end zone against Pittsburgh and with these conditions I mean punting the football is not the easiest thing we haven't seen many good kicks but you also have a Pittsburgh offense and Ben Roethlisberger who's been pretty hot in this one so far I mean really if you had to say what's the difference in the ball game thus far it's been the play of Ben Roethlisberger he's after a bit of a slump there with one touchdown and eight interceptions during about a three-game stretch came back last week didn't throw an interception and so far this with no interceptions either big yardage and a touchdown pass could have been picked on the first possession but David Jones dropped it on a screen to the tight end something Cincinnati has not had to deal with tonight third and long this is a third and 10 that kept everything manageable that's why they've been successful fitzpatrick and a running Lane shut down Lamar Woodley was right there timeout Pittsburgh with 111 to go well here's the classic this looks like it's going to be a blitz this way but then watch these guys fall out and the Blitz comes over this way that's what the Pittsburgh Steelers are all about they make you think the Blitz is coming one way and then that time it was Fernando Bryant who came from the other side that's the reason you have to avoid third and ten because then you give Dick LeBeau a chance to dial up those kinds of schemes so Ben Roethlisberger should get decent field position Darren Simmons the special teams coordinator for Cincinnati giving them some last-minute instructions facing now forth long Kyle Larson in to punt Santonio Holmes back deep you have to appreciate the fact of Engels we're trying to be aggressive there but they may have left too much on the clock here Barajas Bowman Larson just got it away as Lawrence Timmons nearly had the block for Pittsburgh the ball is deflected at the 40-yard line did a touch of Steeler and it is Cincinnati ball it hits the leg of one of the Steelers one of the blockers one of the protectors I think that was Lima Swede the rookie wide receiver was sort of milling around the football and trying to throw a block and the ball bounced off his leg and looking at his left hand too and the Cincinnati Bengals have it watch the left hand right there hit his fingers on the left hand as the returned man there Santonio Holmes has to yell fire fire or whatever the word is the Pittsburgh Steelers use and that means everybody stop blocking get away from the football let me know where this thing is and that is a huge rookie mistake by lime is sweet but he's yelling scatter or fire but Swede didn't get out of the way you can see Holmes waving his arms trying to say get away from it get away from it an experience or lack thereof on special teams cost the Steelers on that one now we're inside of two minutes in each of the has it's a booth review so it'll go to the booth review the officials upstairs the replay officials buzz down and they'll have Ron winter take a look at it you see part of the new policy that one of the side judges one of the other officials will come over and confer with them back after this well if lime is sweet touch it with his left hand on the punt sure looked like he did Ron winter seen the left of your screen he's with the side judge watching Total Access last night Alex Flanagan interview Mike Pereira the director of officiating for the NFL one of the new policies is now one of the other officials will go with the referee to the replay booth they have a little card that they need to fill out they'll submit to the leak just to have everything in order as they go to the review well that was because of what happened in Pittsburgh last week but this time this one looks pretty obvious to me doesn't it you yeah he changes the direction of the ball lime is sweet the rookie out of Texas and Rashard gentie recovered it for Cincinnati alert play by Cincinnati and really for the Bengals coming in here you had to think if Marvin Lewis his squad was going to win this when they were going to have to get a couple of breaks like that and that's a big one because we were talking about what it was going to mean for Ben Roethlisberger going the other way well now it's Ryan Fitzpatrick with a short field if this one goes the way that we think it will side judges Tom Hill and he'll fill out that little card Ronde winter is ready so wait his call remember was a booth review inside of two minutes one minute to go in the half after a new ruling on the field stands the ball bounces off the ground and hit the left hand of number 14 first down Cincinnati the operation works cleanly right there everything according to form and ball was made on the field and confirmed by the review so a huge break for Cincinnati with one minute to go in the half and the Bengals have all three of their timeouts Fitzpatrick on a first down pass play knocked down by Erin Smith when I think that one was Lawrence Timmons who came through and just simply ran over the running back that time for the Cincinnati Bengals getting the pressure in there and right now we're starting to see these linebackers really attack that was Erin Smith that got his hand up but it was Timmons who forced that one early second and 10 from the 39 it's Patrick safe pastor Houshmandzadeh made Timmins miss and then slides down at the 34 yard line no offense but I'm not too crazy about a slide down in that situation you're on the border of field goal range here and you certainly have a tough field to kick off every single yard in this situation matters tjs you to put his head down second time out used by the bengals just to clear things up cincinnati has two timeouts remaining Shayne Graham loosening up on the sidelines he missed that 47 yarder in overtime last week at home against the Philadelphia Eagles Chris Perry in a tailback to the right of Fitzpatrick on a third and five with 43 seconds to go in the half blitz on Houshmandzadeh diagnosed perfectly by William gay and Ryan Clark [Applause] clock stops with 32 seconds to go well that time the Steelers coming with the Blitz everybody coming in this way and they had an absolutely perfect play on blitz coming there they're going to throw it in behind it and still the Pittsburgh Steelers able to get out there and stop it nice play on the outside by William Gay making that open field tackle and for Cincinnati that was one they should have had boy that's when you sit back in the meeting room to go that way you can catch them in this blitz and throw this hot read out here this screen pass we ought to be able to pop that one and they didn't gain an inch on it you know it would be about a 52-yard field goal for grant and you see to pretend on field goals for the 50 yards in this Stadium and pregame warmups kicking from this distance was a dicey proposition so the Bengals will go for it here on fourth and 5 Fitzpatrick has time Fitzpatrick nearly intercepted by William gang that's on the protection was good it's Patrick couldn't find anybody open it sure was good they came with that same corner blitz again off to Fitzpatrick's left-hand side and it was just anticipated beautifully by William gages broke right in front of TJ Houshmandzadeh and nearly had that one didn't need to have it because the fact it was fourth down anyway had he been able to grab it keep his feet though they were only offensive lineman left to pursue him so Pittsburgh dodges a bullet after the punt hit off Lima Swedes hand and Cincinnati started at the Pittsburgh 39 they fell on a fourth down and now here come the Steelers with one timeout remaining and go for wide-screen some more and he loses yardage on the play John Thornton 10th year Pro out of West Virginia with attack yeah a good play call if you break one there then you go ahead and try and play a little no huddle but that one doesn't work so you just let the half run out why not take that shot not a bad half for the Cincinnati Bengals though I tell you I think they'll be happy going in at halftime ten seven against the Steelers bangles had a seven nothing lead the Steelers scored the last 10 and Pittsburgh dodges a bullet late in the half hits the steel is leading the Bengals 10 7 don't forget the sprint halftime show coming up Deion Sanders interview with Terrell Owens stay tuned for the sprint halftime show after this timeout [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] back in Pittsburgh at the half the Steelers with a 10-7 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals Ben Roethlisberger 10 of 17 in this ballgame for 139 yards and a touchdown pass of course Chad Johnson of Cincinnati inactive before tonight's games get a look at the weather forecast you're off the course of the evening we've had a little bit of snow with the windchill it feels like 22 degrees but it feels like Pittsburgh Steeler Bob pop along with Chris Collinsworth you're on Thursday Night Football Christmas you know first half Cincinnati early in the game did a pretty good job of managing their third downs they kept it to third and short got a touchdown on the board but Pittsburgh starting to get their sea legs aren't they yeah they really are and I think defensively they're starting to make the difference ever since Glynn holds dropped it sort of killed their streaks of converting those third downs for Cincinnati on the offensive side this offense really hasn't been able to get it back in gear defensively though the Bengals have been able to stop Willie Parker it's been all Ben Roethlisberger offensively for Pittsburgh thus far hey Willie Parker 11 carries for 14 yards and we're Lee one of the big plays at the end of that first half was the punt that hit off lime is sweet Cincinnati takes over at the Pittsburgh 39 yard line and the Steelers hold them to four and out Cincinnati went for it on fourth down with the steal a defense really stood up tall in that spot well that's how you know you're the number one ranked defense in the NFL you come in and you clean up mistakes and they did it in a major way there just before they half-boy Paulo Malo and the steel of defense pretty active they had that one drive in which Cincinnati marched down the field they had a couple of third downs all manageable third downs on that drive and the hole touchdown gave Cincinnati a 7-nothing lead cincinnati won the coin toss they deferred to the second half as they're bundled up on the repeal of bedsheet billow the guy in the middle has the touchdown catch for Pittsburgh so Jeff Reed to kick off from mike tomlin Steelers second half underway Holt lets it bounce at the 10 scoops it up at the sex all tripped up at the 20 and knock down a bumper 22 yard line take a look at the Pittsburgh defense ready to go back to work yeah and if you're a Bengals fan and you're hoping for a big rally here in the third quarter nobody else has been able to do it that's amazing 9 points allowed in third quarter history this entire season when Dick LeBeau gets a chance to go in and halftime and make a few adjustments usually they're pretty good ones Cedric Benson is back in the ballgame he was not in the game on a huge third and less than one in the second quarter Fitzpatrick zips it downfield and dropped redness at the 40-yard line by a hole his second drop and he lost to shoot a booth where that is a shot that time by Ryan Fitzpatrick right in the numbers this is drop number two for Glenn hull and again an easy one to catch I mean you don't get a lot easier than that and the NFL and that's really been the big struggle for Cincinnati this year are completing balls down the field last week Fitzpatrick completed a touchdown pass of 26 yards his only one of 17 passes this year of over 20 yards that he's completed fault with two big drops he does have the touchdown they had a third down drop and he drops that one pass on the outside to Andre Caldwell the rookie out of Florida for a short gain up to about the 29 yard line and we just have to wonder if Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson aren't the future along with the gwyn hold the Bengals have a huge decision to make at the end of this season - TJ Houshmandzadeh was looking for a new contract he's going to be a free agent they could always franchise him they could force him to stay around here but do they keep him do they cute Chad Johnson I think there's a question about that as well called well that was his first catch of the season third and four for Cincinnati with the Blitz on gays coming for the Patrick gets it away but incomplete intended for Caldwell and they are getting close on the backside they are consistently bringing her this corner blitz off the back edge William Gay coming from Fitzpatrick's backside and they are just about to get there they found this to start at the end of the first half and it is getting closer and closer Larson on the punt Holmes from his own 35 flag immediately comes in as Santonio Holmes slithers his way up to about the 46 yard line but will check the flag on the play on winter not all that busy in the first half with only three accepted penalties combined two for Pittsburgh one for Cincinnati personal file illegal block while the player was out of bounds during the kick 15-yard penalty [Applause] I'm assuming that's on the Steelers [Applause] my Tom and getting an explanation the side judge and it is against the Pittsburgh Steelers so it's cold out there lips don't always work so well either but just so people understand that penalty if a player is forced out of bounds trying to cover the kick you have to allow him to get back on the field before you're able to block them that time the Steelers attacked him out of bounds and they got the penalty for it Santonio Holmes thought he gave the Steelers good field position but that was negated Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by Southwest Airlines low fares no hidden fees the GMC Sierra the official vehicle of the NFL welcome back to Pittsburgh on cool evening Steelers and bangles first and tenth for Pittsburgh from their own 23 yard line bobert gathers and frosty rucker both knocked out of this game with knee injuries they returned questionable so there's a juggle the defensive front for Cincinnati with a quarter gets it across the 25 to about the 27 yard line will Hines Ward pays great receiver but he's known for his blocking as well Chris yeah and he's known as Cincinnati for it he puts on Keith rivers right there and that had a few people in Cincinnati fired up but you have to realize that was a completely legal hit remember a helmet-to-helmet contact is allowed it's just not allowed on defenseless players kickers quarterbacks while throwing or receivers while they're going for the football perfectly legal hit and I think the Bengals realize that - yeah most of the players we've talked to him a welding more takes the handoff and picks up about a yard and a half Chris Crocker on the tackle Donnie Jones was a little on the fence when we spoke with him yesterday about you know how do you evaluate what's clean Hinds is a phenomenal blocker but you know that that hit that we saw if we've seen it on punt returns on a Reggie Bush punt return Hines Ward said hey listen Bill Parcells has come up to me and said you play the game the right way so he said I don't care what other people think football people think I play at the right way my name's Ward does not have to apologize for anything on that third and four more in the backfield with Roethlisberger then with plenty of time and then gets tripped up across the 30 and he fights and he's got the first down they had him wrapped up but they couldn't drag him down and Rob the burger moves the chains and that's exactly what they love about Ben Roethlisberger here he will hold the football and everybody you talked to will admit it Ben will admit it and sometimes he says I hold it too long and I make mistakes and I take sacks and I my offensive lineman look bad out of it I'm sorry for that but I also make plays out of that and I'm gonna hold it off and sometimes he's so big and strong you can fight off those rushers and still make throws down the field so we get the good and the bad out of Ben Roethlisberger with that first and 10 were off the spur ger to throw Roethlisberger deep middle looking for a homes under throws and in homes can't adjust to it make the catch Leon Hall on the coverage along with Marvin white [Applause] that was a nice play by Leon Hall who the Bengals think is their hottest corner right now playing the best I'll never really identified where the ball was Holmes came back through it I thought if he had come back through Leon Hall a little tougher there he might have been able to draw the pass interference call but instead went for the ball and couldn't make the play so second and 10 as the Steelers will work out of the shotgun Roethlisberger with time again waiting for somebody to get open and it's nearly intercepted by Hall 3rd pass that synthetic could have had an interception tonight yeah and this gets you beat you just have to be able to make these plays you know they talk about Brett Favre he's gonna throw you a few before it's done well bought this burger do all that you'll see them motion Miller to the outside but to their closing speed that time by Leon Hall able to get there but once again the Bengals get their hands on the ball and cannot hang on to it when you're the underdog you have to make those plays Paul does not have an interception this season for now third and 10 for Pittsburgh mangles on a blitz Santonio Holmes first down and more across midfield and into Bengal territory finally brought down by David Jones gain of 19 reads that time by Ben Roethlisberger they came on to safety blitz coming out of the secondary they're going to bring pressure coming up from right in here Roethlisberger sees it and it's just going to throw right from where that safety was that's what they'll tell you if the safety comes from that side throw it right in behind him big play by Roethlisberger nice read Holmes four catches for 78 yards first and ten Parker about the 43 yard line you know talking about Ben Roethlisberger I asked Mike Tomlin yesterday about you know holding on the football he said listen he was a special player and being on the staff with Tony Dungy in Tampa and watching Monte Kiffin handle the likes of Simeon rice and Warren Sapp they never tried to put those guys in a box and he said I saw those guys allow those players to be great I don't want to change what Ben is because his strength in his physicality and his keeping the foil up makes him great I don't want to take away his creator Parker finds the outside to the 30 and then steps out at the 28 yard line and a 15 for Parker's longest run of the night Chris Kaman watches going to pull out in front of this play and just bury the contain that time the cornerback David Jones had contain on the play and hit look at big old Chris Kaman like head of Chona oh my god and so much for the contain for Willie Parker nobody home then a double winning because the full-back carried a missed call upon him to Russell in at the tailback on a first and 10 for the Steelers Ward and motion Russell fights for a couple - about the 26 yard line dolma top echo got the first 10 you know inside now for the Cincinnati Bengals they've got a young man by the name of Pat Sims that they think is going to be a good one he is sort of an up the field player he gets some penetration he's a little better pass rusher what they had because if the Bengals have a major issue on the defensive side of the ball they simply are unable to get pressure out of their front floor you're hoping that Pat Sims can beat one of those guys and because of injuries tonight they've moved John Thornton now to the left end spot with gathers and Rucker both suffering knee injuries and Odom inactive Roethlisberger again Holmes and he gets hammered by Chris Crocker at the 20 yard line Roethlisberger say an A or hey I'm sorry Wow what a shot by Chris Crocker Crocker signed on October 30th hammering Santonio Holmes went for a big play last time not this time the medical staff checking on Santonio Holmes as he was hammered by Chris Crawford listen I'll tell you what let me start with Santonio Holmes is he's sort of out on his feet there for a couple of minutes but you have a young speed receiver the one thing that you don't think they're going to be willing to do is run those slant routes inside because that is always a possibility that you're going to get a shot like that but for Chris Crocker he has brought a presence at the safety position that the Bengals have not had for a while Crocker played for the Browns was with Mike Zimmer the defensive coordinator in Atlanta and spent time with Miami signed on October 30th third and two for Pittsburgh Roethlisberger with time dropped by Hines Ward a rare drop by Ward not third down so Jeffrey's a field goal unit will come out and items have dropped a few of these this year that was a little strange because he ended up jumping and I'm not sure why he jumped and had to reach down from the football you just never know what happens on a play maybe a snowflake hit him in the eyes stupids that sounds you play in the snow everyone's a wild one hit you right in the eyeball and you can't see anything Reid from 38 he hit from 37 in the swirling winds here at Heinz Field snap is good and Reid able to finesse it through well Pittsburgh has scored 13 on ansion points and the Steelers with a 13-7 lead here on Thursday Night Football and cold snowy evening at Heinz Field it's Thursday Night Football on NFL Network the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans enjoying a 13-7 lead over Cincinnati those fans liked it because they're protected from they've got the overhang it just looks like Pittsburgh Steeler football here doesn't it so I all bundled up and a little warmer than it was last year when we were in here to call this game it was freezing a big ice storm came through here and tougher than it is here tonight Steelers 12 plays 57 yards read a 38 yard field goal Santonio Holmes had a big 19 yard catch on a third and 10 read to kick off through the flakes another short kick to the high hop and hope across the 20 and hooked up at about 28 yard line by Gary Russell low for Ryan Fitzpatrick it has been a good start to the evening but he has cooled off since these numbers right here I think we're a little skewed because of the fact that Glenn Holt dropped two easy catches that would have been big plays in the game and once again you see the big Bugaboo for the Cincinnati Bengals this season once a team so good at throwing the deep ball with Carson Palmer they have nothing down the whatsoever against books for tonight and one of those drops came on a third down with Cincinnati leading 7 to nothing and as Fitzpatrick get set for the start since Andy says basic work was offside he didn't throw the flags I think that's just gonna be second down in 10 very guy check thought he Adam jumped offsides no burns no foul on the play second down we just snapped it his magic tikani hey Chris you know of one thing that we talked about earlier considering you have a rookie left tackle and Anthony Collins and you have Nate livings at left guard Cincinnati's done a pretty good job no false starts no holding penalties against the number one defense in the league I agree with you and I think Anthony Collins and ADA living's have done a nice job over here maybe discovered something because of the injury one sack in the ballgame on a second and long Benson gets a couple Uslan James Harrison on the tackle that big James Harrison over there he is just simply becoming one of the dominant players in the National Football League knew he was cut a couple of times three times I think by the Pittsburgh Steelers and James barrier was telling me his story said when he was playing defense but he first got here in the middle of practice he would simply give up on plays and say I don't have any what idea what I'm doing get me off the field and eventually though he's grown into a defensive MVP candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers blitz on from Timmons and Fitzpatrick has to get rid of it the second year man out of Florida State the former 15th overall pick got pressure and Fitzpatrick just had to unload it I'd say a Lawrence Timmons he's just going to be a player I remember watching tape on him from college this guy never stop hustling I never saw one play on his college tape and when she didn't hustle non-stop all the time I think he's going to be a great winner the welding more back deep with Holmes shaken up and he calls for a fair catch at the pittsburgh 35 yard line 6:35 to go on the 3rd Timmons with the pressure Steelers by six in the third live Thursday Night Football continues on NFL Network with a Thanksgiving showdown the high-flying Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles don't miss Thursday Night Football Live Thanksgiving an 8:00 Eastern on NFL Network Arizona has to play at home against the Giants this weekend and Philadelphia has to go to Baltimore before they even get to each other on Thanksgiving a week from by Kurt Warner this year a definite MVP candidate with the way he's playing attack of the season two-time Pro Bowler Roethlisberger ass knocked away incomplete no flag Ward wanted one David Jones on the coverage behind Ward beggin for a flag on that one David Jones on him just a little skinny poster out here I think that's a pretty good note call that time by the officials in the contact but not in FL contact to draw that flag the Bing goes after a hot start on offense have really done nothing since against the Steelers defense it was really started cranking it up second and ten Moore who had three touchdowns in 120 yards rushing in their first meeting picks up a couple Brandon Johnson on the tackle and really the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't been able to do much running the football at all tonight either Willie Parker had that one little breakout run around the edge and other than that he's averaging just barely a little bit under 3 yards per carry right now so this has been a good night defensively for Cincinnati they're third in a row against the run limas suite is checked on as an extra receiver on a third and seven more in the backfield with Roethlisberger man has had a lot of time to pass and he has time here just picks Hines Ward up and finds of across midfield flag on the play Ward to the 30 Ward to the 20 knocked down by Jones but we'll check the flag back at midfield that's a no-brainer right there Nate Washington with a huge pick on the play just simply drilled the defender of Hines Ward that's an easy one that's coming back [Applause] pass interference offense number 85 10-yard penalty [Applause] that's pretty late as you go across the field watch the collision right in the middle of field that time working against David Jones and Nate Washington you've got to be more subtle than this you can get away with a pick but you can't do that you can't just run across the field and smash into the track I mean every single official out there has some receiver that they're assigned to so every somebody was definitely watching both of those players in his receivers criss cross that time it was easy for both of him to pick that up Washington didn't cross he broke down like he was gonna make it back last area so that negates a 42 yard game Roethlisberger under some pressure Moore dropped in his tracks by Jones he's been all over the field tonight he's done a nice job you get the feeling they've been trying to pick on him a little bit one of the nickel guys coming in and playing but Jones has been there to make some plays for them you know it's interesting despite the fact that the field has been tilted and Pittsburgh has control Cincinnati is one busted play away from having the lead it's 13 7 no question Ernst er to punt Houshmandzadeh back deep another bad punt by Ernst Lee takes a favorable roll he was signed after Mitch Berger could not battle back from a hamstring injury he's not a popular guy in the Steel City right now when Holt has Cincinnati's only touchdown but Chris a couple of drops and they've done nothing since their drives yeah a beautiful touchdown drive early in this one but look at that six possession since then 21 plays just 35 yards the bengals averaging two point eight five yards per play and that's even below what the Steelers have average this year allowing 3.86 which is the lowest since 1978 for any defense in the NFL Fitzpatrick just five for his last 12 for 22 yards he'll throw on first down nowhere close to hooshmand zotti well once again the offensive line holding up pretty well Mitch Fitzpatrick with tremendous time that time he's threw that one in the dirt you know against Pittsburgh you're not often gonna get a chance to throw one completely standing up and no pressure and no blitz and just threw a bad ball that time second and ten they stay in the first half that's whether it will have some success it's Patrick batted down at the line like Smith and Hampton got their hands up and gotten away but it is Troy Polamalu who got the attention of the quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick saying that he is simply going to know where he is at all time you can see Fitzpatrick look right that way and then throw it directly into the hands of Aaron Smith who's been doing a good job knocking down balls tonight Paulo Malo though just one of the great difference makers in the NFL another third and long now for Cincinnati they're three conversions were all six yards or less but Patrick gets some time trying to find who spins out in traffic he wants a flag but he's not getting one he is all over the back judge I think he's saying that William Gay grabbed his facemask coming out of the break let's take a look sure did got away with it and it grabbed me right by the facemask and you were right TJ Larsson on the punt more the 37 yard line ride st. Louis on the tackle well sunday is game day on NFL Network don't miss NFL gameday highlights for the best highlights on field interviews much more postgame reaction from all around the league and expert analysis with boots prime Rich Eisen NFL gameday highlights 7:30 Eastern only on NFL Network never an easy day playing quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers but you have to make the plays when they're there we've seen dropped passes we've seen miss throws we've missed opportunities nice interception dropped interceptions and that's that's what you have to do against the Steelers they're not going to give you much but when they do give you one you have to take advantage of the Bengals if not momentum turning plays more it's across the 40-yard line made something out of nothing picked up five well typically under the old Pittsburgh Steelers way I think of them still to this day this is sort of grind it out time you know nobody could milk the clock better than the Steelers they get a lead they go on a long drive they they they run a lot of time off the clock they they play in behind a big strong offensive line with a big strong back but now it's not always that way now it's a little more Ben Roethlisberger this time is for welding more and he gets the edge first down across midfield and dragged down by Marvin white from behind at the 44 yard line of Cincinnati gain of 15 well we are seeing the impact of Heath Miller on the edge now having the tight end back they're going to start getting some blocks right here down and they talked about how significant it was to have their blocking tight in back in the game once again it brings back into play plays that they couldn't put in the playbook without him and the fullback Sean McHugh also with a nice block on the edge and helping the 15 yard pickup first and Tanith e cincinnati 44 [Applause] more again and this time Brandon Johnson drops him for a loss of a couple way Brandon Johnson has really played well for Cincinnati over the past couple of weeks he replaced Keith Rivers after the broken jaw and you'll see him just come shooting right in here through the backside he has a lot of speed and he's been able to make plays in the open field big interception for them last week against the Philadelphia Eagles and Bruce Arians was impressed with his play he thought he might even be playing better than what Keith Rivers was coming in Johnson in his third year out of Louisville Miller and motion come set on a second at 12th little screen for more with room more inside the 30 and Jones drags and down at the 24 yard line gain of 22 to bow LD more big win for offensive coordinator Bruce Arians there the Bengals came with a blitz they're coming here they're coming here they're coming here throw the screen right in behind it here perfectly executed by the Pittsburgh Steelers that's just one of those dream scenarios and you could say anything please hit me with the Blitz on this play Ariane's time that one beautifully second year as offensive coordinator spent three years as the wide receivers coach here in Pittsburgh ward jogs in motion more in the one back set more gotta find a crease left and it gets closed up in a hurry after a gain of a couple this Crocker got the first hit on my welding Morehu you know with the injury to Rashard Mendenhall the rookie against Baltimore with Willie Parker having his injuries when welding mores kind of kept it together Mike Tomlin said listen he's just a well-rounded player he does a little bit of everything nothing spectacular he knew him from his days in Minnesota and he said he's just a good pro yeah he really is and he filled in beautifully had over 100 yards rushing against Cincinnati and that first matchup and he got it done for this football team when they were really out of bats [Applause] second at seven Roethlisberger looks left great pump fake and he's got Miller inside the 5 to the 1 [Applause] gain of 20 first and goal Pittsburgh Oh Ben Roethlisberger's having some game Heath Miller is going to release and just delay just sell it almost like a little scream and then shoots up the field he knows what Ben's gonna do Ben's going to pump fake to the right got Chris Crocker to move the free safety out of that area and came right back to him for the big connection first didn't goeth the one for Pittsburgh Russell will walk in touchdown steal his first rushing touchdown of the season and the Steelers widen their lead with 16 seconds to go here in the third baby Steeler football isn't dead after all that was an old-time feel-good Pittsburgh Steeler Terrible Towel waving kind of drive right there terrific block too on the outside by his John McHugh who secured the first edge and then went and made the second edge [Applause] so Gary Russell scores from a yard out Jeffrey Don for the extra point iron stirred a hole cap 64-yard drive and with 16 seconds to go in the third quarter the Steelers down lead at 22 7 screen and weld a more big play second and 12 again positive yards back pass to Heath Miller well executed it really was and for Cincinnati it goes back to what is their issue and that is the lack of a pass rush feeling like that they have to dial up blitzes in order to have a chance to get any pressure on Ben Roethlisberger who really has been under siege all season by every team except Cincinnati who is yet to be able to get to them and they've now played seven quarters take a look at the scoring drive seven plays 64 yards the --ml welding more 22 yards screenplay than the miller catch to the 2 yard line and then more runs it in and Davis shooting russell runs it in for the touchdown you know talking to Ben Roethlisberger one of the things that he was saying was that what an advantage it is to play quarterback when it's snowing fields messy and those defensive linemen can't use their speed moves you know now all of a sudden these bigger a little bit slower offensive linemen from Pittsburgh they'll have to deal with all those double moves and quick moves and and different things that you'll see out of defensive linemen they just simply can stand there and use their strength which is their greatest asset this is a steal a team that's given up 35 sacks coming into the game and Cincinnati has not gotten a snap Reed taken by Watson the up man watson across the 35 and tripped up after 37 yard line by Anthony Madison talking about bad deals you know in Pittsburgh it's not called a bad feel it's called a good for you because they know how to play on I remember this one it gets faster five my favorite one who just came in plugged and that was it for that high scoring affair that nice breathing up in Pittsburgh and only in Pittsburgh did you love that kind of a game but they do deep defense defense and more defense a lot of guys in the steel said hey if it gets in the other teams had yet another advantage for us if you're worrying about the field you're not worrying about what you should be doing let's see if Cincinnati can get some offense going as Houshmandzadeh goes in motion Caldwell keeps his balance and gets extra yardage before Polamalu ran him out well the Bengals are trying to come up with an answer for all the backside pressure that they're getting once again Pittsburgh coming with the backside blitz and I think that's really what's turned this football game in their favor they finally started working against Anthony Collins and Nate livings on the backside bringing more than they can protect and the Bengals haven't come up with an answer for yet through three Santonio Holmes and the Bengals and Steelers in a hard-hitting one but the Steelers up by 13 aerial coverage tonight presented by KFC a cold evening in Pittsburgh we shot that earlier but our aerial coverage had to take some kagra because the snow started to fall as we start the fourth quarter pittsburgh and front 20 to 7 over Cincinnati it's 20 unanswered points for the Steelers now after the Bengals had a seven nothing lead in the first second and five Fitzpatrick works out of an eye play clock at five Motz the full-back want to make sure he had it Benson for the 46 is about a yard short of the first down you know one of the tough things when you're a quarterback and Ryan Fitzpatrick there thought he saw a certain look and he started to audible well by the time he started to audible Steelers changed their defense four times during that time so sometimes you're better off just getting up there and snapping the ball because believe me this veteran Steelers defense knows more than Ryan Fitzpatrick knows at this point Barry had got a big stop on a third and one back in the first half Benson again he is not getting there and I think barrier got the first hit again the interior defense has been so tough for the Pittsburgh Steelers first its barrier and then it's going to be cleaned up by Brett Keisel and they are taking the running backs and driving them backwards they do not allow you to fall forward in short yardage situations and it has simply been the difference second third and one stop Larson toppling punt yell scattered nearly hit William gay but it comes to rest at the 20-yard line that's the Bengals best play try it again Roberts Berger likes it he's up by 13 [Music] Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by zantac heartburn attacking sand tank the Motorola ROKR I ate one touch from talk to music back in Pittsburgh the Steelers with a 20 to 7 lead Cincinnati on their last four offensive possessions for 3 announced their last first down came at 10:07 of the second quarter first and 10 for Pittsburgh from their own 20 the welding more gets nothing maybe a half yard Jonathan for Nene on the tackle well we talked about how good the Pittsburgh Steelers are over the years Mike Tomlin wants a face mask all not happy with the officials for the second straight week I think would be safe to say but we're talking about an injured players what we're going to talk about right now set for Nene down now gathers and Rucker the starting ends both have been knocked out of the game with left knee injuries Lamar Odom the normal starting right end was not even active now for Nene she can up he'll walk off [Applause] jon-fen a shaken up on the last play the buggy have pretty good knees to the facemask right there that's why Mike Tomlin was so upset yeah remember incidental face mask no longer a penalty in this league but that kind still is little draught amour Cincinnati right there don't my top echo Donny Jones wrap them up no gain on the play it'll be interesting now to see if Bruce Arians dials up a pass play here they have this Cincinnati Bengals offense pretty well under control and if you remember a few weeks back it was a couple of interceptions in that game that turned it around against the Colts I believe it was and ended up losing that game you've got to believe it as long as they don't make a big mistake the rest of the way the Steelers are going to win this one unless Peyton Manning shows up gonna bingo sometime soon but Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne 3rd and 9 wide open Moore and he dropped it there is a flag on the play and came from the umpire so that's usually holding that's the preliminary call which Cincinnati will decline holding offense number 72 the penalties declined thanks to 4,000 Darnell Stapleton the right guard out of Rutgers played pretty well for Kendall Simmons since he's gone out yeah uh I had to replace a couple of guys Marvell Smith out with that back injury and I'm not sure if he's going to need back surgery again yet or not but this offensive line from the Steelers has been tremendous I just a complete shutout I'm not sure if Ben Roethlisberger's been hit yet iron ster takes a high snap it just gets it away [Applause] another poor punt by Ernst oh they got more trial for pottery well make sure you check out game day on Sunday morning tio had a chance to sit down with D on the championship but at the same time you can't obtain that championship if I'm not involved in the offense so you what you trying to say if you have the numbers the championship gonna come it's gonna come and the thing is and I think a lot of people they see that as you just as you said earlier when I get my hands on the ball things happen now you can hear all the happenings on game day morning on Sunday and near the interview instant in its entirety own primetime the great field position for the Bengals with 1206 to go down 13 since Andy kind of hanging around Fitzpatrick plenty of time gonna get out and run lowers his shoulder and takes it to the 38 yard line picked up the body Ryan Fitzpatrick here's the young man that is the third leading rusher among quarterbacks and you never see him slide he said what the heck I'm going to take my shot and try and go get this within one of the Steelers down Brett Keisel got shaken up at the end of the play mr. Fitzpatrick took off and ran training staff out to look at Brett Keisel the seventh year man on a BYU came into the game with 26 tackles and sack Dick LeBeau telling me that Brett Keisel was having probably his best year as a pro as his Aaron Smith on the other side you know probably those guys up front and any 34 defense the true unsung heroes of the defense they have to do all the to gapping they have to take on all the blockers they have to do so much and it's not like you're gonna get a lot of sacks it looks like Harrison is teammate it's the one that actually delivered the blow on them Harrison's been knocking out a lot of people on the other team we've got a teammate on that one but those defensive ends a little bit like the 34 defensive with the New England Patriots they don't go the Pro Bowl alive because they don't get big sack numbers but they control and they dominate the line of scrimmage and they're a big reason why they are the number one ranked defense in the NFL Chris Hoke will come in that nine yard run by Fitzpatrick the longest run by the Bengals tonight second and one Benson gets the 1 and then that's it got the first down inside the 35 yard line farriers there with Harrison and Casey Hampton see Marvin Lewis and you know he's got a pretty good relationship with James Farrior he really likes her he says you know I've known James Farrior since his birth Fowler was born in eat Rick Virginia Marvin Lewis is uncle delivered James Farrior when he was born he's like I've known him his whole life you know him from birth you know I'm the goal lion when I was the first first down of the half Ferrier has wreaked havoc against Cincinnati tonight will pass to the tight end that's Reggie Kalli who got away from Ryan Clark and got some positive yardage out of the play that's kind of interesting I sneaked her a little bit because Dick LeBeau now after really causing so many issues for the Bengals with that backside blitz has now been showing backside blitz and then coming with pressure from the other way so Harrison and those guys over on the defensive right side have been dropping out and Fitzpatrick has been throwing now the other way expecting it and it hasn't been they're working on Brett Keisel on the steelers bench second and five who's been sada in motion Benson the tailback Fitzpatrick's pass deflected and intercepted and drop Ferrier had his hands on it but couldn't reel it in [Applause] willing on the field and incomplete passed him quite Smith that's his third pass blocked you know this is pretty interesting did he catch this control it and then get it stripped out of his hands I'm not so sure that's not a catch and interception and then a fumble recovery goes right off the bicep of Smith let's see if he controls this thing what balls kind of movie out he never did really have complete control of it did he and Kelly knocked it out Reggie Kelly the tight end the ruling on the field was an incomplete pass if they got that one right Chris Perry is checked in since it daddy needs points third and five you tech is going to get called for a penalty as Perry gets the first down venue Tech the tight end came in motion but he turned up field so this one's coming back [Applause] illegal motion offense five-yard penalty compete they're down good boy they really had that one set up been you Tech coming down for the crack back block he's going to get a good shot in there against Lamar Woodley and set this edge but you cannot be moving forward before the snap of the ball he was and that's going to deny a big first down for the Bengals works in arena football but not in the NFL that's exactly right so now instead of third and manageable it's third and 10 stealers on a blitz Caldwell's got the catch and a first down follow Malo on the tackle so Andre Caldwell the rookie out of Florida with his third catch tonight once again the Steelers going to come with blitz this way this time they've been coming off the back side a lot fitzpatrick sees it and it was called well with a little delayed move he went up the field been a little fake to the outside bought just a little bit of time and came in and made the catch i tell you what caldwell is taking his best shot here tonight with chad johnson out of the lineup first three catches of the season for Caldwell it's Patrick to the middle you tack van you tack to the tan and Polamalu wrestles him down so the former Indianapolis Colts finish 13th catch of the season oh that was a good catch mm tone behind him in you technical to like to play there in the open field he was out for a while with a bad rib probably remember him with the Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning throwing balls to him came here hasn't quite been the receiving threat that they hoped he might be Reggie Kelly being the blocking tight in in Cincinnati but once again the Bengals putting together a nice Drive let's on they almost got to Fitzpatrick before he hand it off to Benson who slithers for a first down that looked like it was pretty close to being offsides that time by Larry footings must have just absolutely timed it perfectly coming through there just before the snap for the football came in there saw big Casey Hampton on the other side created the void and they're lucky to get that handoff off but now the Bengals were the first and goal yeah I'm Reggie Kelly made a nice block so foot couldn't tackle Fitzpatrick before he hands it off so first and goal for Cincinnati who spins on in motion let's again and that one Erik intended for Caldwell Mike Taylor on the coverage we just have to wonder how many quick outs Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown to Andre Caldwell once again with no Chad Johnson here the timing the normal practice procedure everything that goes into this now comes into play because that was a wide open route that time Fitzpatrick simply missed that one they had the Blitz picked up should have had something out of that pass Steelers with one sack tonight Houshmandzadeh is not in the second half play clock down to three on second goal it'll draw to Benson doesn't fool anybody gravis Kirksey got the first hit so it'll set up third and goal it's 725 to go Chris down 13 you know is this almost four down territory when you look at the clock and the down 13 points means you kick 3 can you expect to get 2 more possessions back against Pittsburgh I think you have to analyze who you're playing against against the number one ranked defense you could be right they could be going for this here but Fitzpatrick has been really efficient down in the red zone this year 11 for 17 four touchdowns no interceptions this has been his strength third and goal Henry to the top of your screen split laugh Fitzpatrick throws right over the head of who stands on you know Marvin Lewis will send out the field goal unit with 650 to go on the ball game to try to make it a 10-point game just have to wonder if there are two possessions left in this game for Cincinnati and that one sailed wide too so Fitzpatrick had two shots on that one over through both and that may well be the end that looked like you needed a touchdown I have to say I probably would go for it right here I think this is your best shot to win the football game of 26 Graham just slips it inside the right upright fading fast so it's 6:40 is having to go Ram hits from 26 mike tomlin Steelers lead it by 10 here in the fourth [Applause] back at pittsburgh marvin lewis a fort cherry high school football player and mcdonald pennsylvania little southwest of Pittsburgh spent four years as linebackers coach with Pittsburgh Steelers his squad down by 10 Chris now I kind of thought maybe that was 2 down territory they elected to go for the field goal do you think onside kicker do you kick it away with three timeouts in the two-minute warning well if you're kicking the field goal I assume you're thinking your defense is gonna make a play but to me that's a stretch against the Steelers in this situation the welding more from inside his own five more bounces across the 25 to the 27 yard line Gerald blacks because you know let's talk about it because essentially now you need two scores in order to at least tie this football game if you go for it on fourth down there and say you don't make it you still need two scores now they have to be two touchdowns but you back the Steelers up to the seven yard line now their entire play calling has to be a little different a little more cautious instead you take the field goal they're out to the 27 and it's a much more comfortable situation for Nene back in for Cincinnati he was shaken up in the last possession Moore dropped by heck oh you know they've done a pretty good job of controlling the running game Pittsburgh with 84 85 yards on the ground in this game and we have not seen Willie Parker it's been willed well they Moore here yeah and this has been the strength of this Bengals team and really the weakness has been the lack of a pass rush so now as has been the case with Ben Roethlisberger in the pass you tend to put in his hands maybe spread it out a little bit and let him go to work more wanted a facemask on pack it's a second tent Miller and motion give it this time of the Roethlisberger great play fake Thornton and Paco chasing and he finds Miller who drops it after his hammered by Brandon Johnson play fake Roethlisberger yeah it really was he goes play-action and his mobility got him out there in the open and Heath Miller just simply drops this one I don't think this one was even close to a catch and fumble I'm sure there's somebody somewhere screaming he caught it and this should be a fumble but it looked like he never really had control of it again just as he's taking to hit there the ball comes out clearly an incompletion now this is a huge play for Cincinnati if they really want to get back in it the 551 to go third and 10 for the Steelers more to the right of Roethlisberger Roethlisberger under pressure fights out of it down field completes it the lime is sweet for a first down there's the magic of Roethlisberger sure is Anthony for Nene had him in the backfield with the strength of Ben Roethlisberger simply the difference he's going to look right he's going to be wrapped up had by the legs he comes out of it and makes the play every time that you see Ben Roethlisberger take a sack and you go cow why does he get rid of the football why does he keep trying to make plays well that's it right there that's what Bruce Arians the offensive coordinator will tell you why do I want to take that ability away we're gonna let them play if you take sax if you take sax we don't care you talk to most linebackers in the NFL pick a team was more just runs over Marvin white and gets 11 we've talked to most linebackers around the league and you asked me what trying to bring Ben Roethlisberger down and say he is the hardest in the league to bring down by far well he's bigger than most linebacker so that's understandable but for the Pittsburgh Steelers this is a football team they don't lose in these situations they had an 11-point lead in this game they are a hundred thirty nine one and one in games in which they have had an 11-point lead in time in the game the only team to beat them during that stretch the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2001 Moore again more to the outside Jones tackles them but it's a gain of eight on the play another injured Bengal down on the field with 413 to go it's David Jones who's playing because Jonathan Joseph the starting corner has been hurt will step out with the Steelers by 10 on Thursday Night Football coming up after gain the Home Depot postgame show stay tuned for highlights and analysis live press conferences and the Bengals without Chad Bob pop along with Cris Collinsworth all right I'm sure Marvin Lewis is going to get second guess we thought about on third and goal is a two down territory they elect to kick the field goal but at the end of the day on a third and 10 they couldn't get Roethlisberger on the ground yeah if Jonathan Fernando comes up with the play right there they're gonna get the ball punted back to them I've just seen too many Pittsburgh Steelers football games though in that situation this is a team that is just been traditionally one of the best in the NFL at that four minute drill whatever you want to call it when you're supposed to be able to take the ball offensively and just grind it out and it looks like they're well on their way to doing that again yeah and you know you think about on Sunday against San Diego in the go-ahead drive with the field goal Roethlisberger hit a couple of key third downs avoiding sacks and making plays more it's like he has another Pittsburgh first down inside the 35 yard line with four minutes to go in the contest like thomas fired up pittsburg over the century mark in Russian [Applause] [Applause] Roethlisberger uses all the play clock and gives two more on a first 10 Rashard gentie on the tackle you know we're gonna get another stop into place Cincinnati is going to call their first timeout with three 19 to go and the ball game and their trail by 10 Roethlisberger will go the silent talk this Bruce Arians his offensive coordinator take a look at the Steelers remaining schedule you know now they two games in four days they're on their way to their eighth win it doesn't get any easier they've got to go to New England to take on the Patriots then Dallas comes in and the game against Baltimore at Tennessee and then they close it out convince the Cleveland Browns yeah and Baltimore is sitting right there on their hind quarters and they still have to go to Baltimore one of the great games I've seen this season was when Baltimore came here to play the Steelers it was just simply a fistfight and hopefully now Pittsburgh's gonna have to return the favor and that may well end up deciding this division I was still his own with Dan Mooney when the classiest man of the entire National Football League watching his ball club try to get to 83 Roethlisberger little screen to more tripped up at the 15 yard line by Marvin white another Pittsburgh first down gain of 18 well you're so used to seeing those screen passes that go out wide then all of a sudden the running back turns back to the inside for a screen and it just keeps defenses on their toes that is such a tough play to try and defend I'll tell you man well do more did a great job acting on that one sold it beautifully and another big play for Pittsburgh's is it finally looks like the Bengals defense is just wearing down more four catches for 41 yards first and 10 for Pittsburgh give it to more and it gets run out of bounds at the 10 yard line which is not what you want to have happen there you want to go down at any expense there it doesn't matter if you gain yards and he's pointing it himself and say my fault I understand I'm wrong like sorry and Barbara did for the Cowboys yeah Sunday night hey you know I want to bring something up and I know it's it's a term that's used and I'm trying to figure out how when you say a quarterback manages the game that it's become negative don't the great quarterbacks manage the game flawlessly calling out protection getting out of a pass play into a run what Roethlisberger does with his team isn't that the ultimate compliment but for NFL quarterbacks do you either have guys who get a chance to win the game paint Manning Tom Brady Carson Palmer are you get guys who manage the game and that means you not that good but when I think that's where the insult comes in now there's Boomer Esiason your former team the bankers were well represented tonight we have Solomon Wilcox working for nfl.com you got primo doing their national radio Dave Lapham doing the Bengals radio little reunion for you by man Kenny Anderson you know Kenny Anderson was coaching the quarterbacks now for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ray Horton on that staff Dick LeBeau a lot of former Bengals over there as well but this is exactly what the doctor ordered now for the Pittsburgh Steelers this kind of a win in this fashion you know I mean there were all kinds of questions this week about had they abandoned Steeler football can they still grind it out in bad weather can they go into that 4-minute offense the way that they could can Ben manage the game and not turn it over in key situations well the answer has been yes yes yes yes yes across the board this is perfectly done back to that managing [Applause] you managed the game I think the best ones managed at the best third and 3 Cincinnati out of timeouts Roethlisberger he's going to run it first down we go along no signal yet they say he's down just short the knee hit inside the one would actually plays to the Steelers advantage now we get down there they really would have been better off having the ball placed at the 1 and but he stretched it out and he came down close but it did look like the ball was across the line and Ben Roethlisberger with an exclamation point on the end of this night he has done everything right this evening and has simply been the difference in this one you know that's a touchdown as the knee was hitting he reached the football and all has to do is break that front part of the goal on you break the plane and it's sex too big too strong once again the Pittsburgh Steelers out muscled out tough out hit the Cincinnati Bengals we've seen this act before and Ben Roethlisberger well on his way to regular season win number 47 tough snap earns two did a nice job to get it down and Reed knocks it through so it took fifteen to go Roethlisberger second rushing touchdown of the season and the Steelers now widened their lead to 27 ten well this is what makes them different not only can he beat you in his arm but he has the strength to pull out of what would have been a sack to start this Drive and would have forced a punt and the agility to run the football in for the touchdown at the end of the drive just a perfectly executed four-minute offense by the Pittsburgh Steelers as they have done so many times in the past they do it again and boy I tell you when you look at Ben Roethlisberger a 90 quarterback rating for his career and you say okay well what does that mean well the top quarterbacks in NFL history have been Steve Young Kurt Warner Peyton Manning Tom Brady Joe Montana and then Ben Roethlisberger pretty select company right there again the names when you're listed with those kind of guys you know it's special and Roethlisberger has been special we're giving him the win tonight we project Roethlisberger to be our winner and it would be 47th career win most wins as a starting quarterback in the first five seasons and you have to think he's going to be at the top of that list by the time this has said and done this season as long as they continue to play defense and stay healthy the way that they are but we've seen over the past couple of years now teams who get hot at the end of the season you know is really what decides it the Pittsburgh Steelers when they went on their run they were a number six seed got hot in the playoffs the New York Giants a season ago coming out of the wild-card round they went on to win the Super Bowl two years ago remember the last game of the regular season they gave up 300 yards rushing to Jacksonville and they turned it all around in the postseason absolutely short kick Kenny Watson chased by Timmons and Lawrence Timmons would not be deterred we take a look at the AFC playoff picture right now the Steelers on their way to eight and three Baltimore has a big game on Sunday at home against Philadelphia as they try to at least keep pace and stay within striking distance Tennessee huge game this weekend against the Jets that's going to be interesting you know the team this has to scare people a little bit the Indianapolis Colts New England had a chance to knock him out the Pittsburgh Steelers had a chance to knock him out and either one did and now Peyton Manning and that defense are starting to play in a level that they did not early in the season you saw that graphic Miami in New England the huge game in South Florida this weekend between those two over the middle a few tech got hammered but he held on to it and that'll take us to the two-minute warning Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the day more physical and they have a 17 point lead Thursday Night Football on NFL Network is brought to you by Sears this holiday don't just give a gift ran away frost brewed Coors Light when the mountains turn blue your beers as cold as the Rockies drops to throw and looking long [Music] [Applause] now the bangles were 11 and 5 that year and for Marvin Lewis and the bangles their whole franchise seemed to have turned on that one play with Carson Palmer I've never seen fans as angry as they were that day leaving the stadium that was early in the game that pass looked like the Bengals might actually win a playoff game something it hadn't done since 1990 but let's face it that this franchise is built around Carson Palmer a lot of questions now about that elbow is he going to have surgery what is he going to do and I'll try and fill in some of the gaps after this play first and ten for Fitzpatrick late blitz throws it into the turf intended for Caldwell well right now the belief is that Carson Palmer is not going to have the Tommy John surgery they think that it will heal itself if he were a baseball pitcher perhaps they might do it but that ligament is about 80% intact they think that it will heal and for them to do the surgery they would have to remove that 80% intact ligament in there and completely replace it their thought is why do that when it can heal and come back to normal so I think that he will not play the rest of the season that will simply rehab from here on out you tech with the first down I guess the question is without the surgeries Utecht got hammered and he's shaken up can he come back to be the Carson Palmer vote well that's been the history when you talk to a number of doctors about these types of cases they think that he can recover he can come back he can throw the football the way that he he has in the past but for them to take a chance on him the rest of the season it would just be for Harding you Tex shaken up wow what a catch by Kelley in traffic and that's their longest pass play of the evening as Kelly takes it down to the 15-yard line with 109 to go 31 yards about a little help at the end of that play by Chris Henry Reggie Kelly's still out there fighting and Chris Henry off to the side and didn't exactly get involved to try and help well it's doing the little things you know talking with Marvin Lewis as they do every week you know he said you know we just we don't do the little things to finish and it's those those are the little things you know that extra block you know yeah it's only a minute to go in the game but those kind of things just we're not doing it and that's why we don't win close games second and 10 for fitzpatrick so the flat to Perry and gay on the tack I'm gonna disagree with that a little bit because I think it's the big things I think it's the big guy this has been a football team that has always been built wide receivers cornerback skill position players quarterbacks and when you look around the National Football League right now with the interception at the goal line and they're go oi bouncing into his own guys and bangles and he gets the pick his fifth interception of the season maybe that'll make up a little bit for the play a week ago in which Troy Polamalu had a touchdown at the end of that game taken away from I think he was checking the coupler he was this guy he's crazy nobody works out harder than he does he's called to quiet assassin on the team but I learned one thing about the guy listen weak and I didn't know they say that he is quite the practical joker that he's the guy that won tie the shoelaces as they tried to grab him by the hair and pull him down which is actually legal you can tell Eric said he'll put stuff in your helmet and and won't say a word but I'll just sort of sit off in the corner and laugh about it a little bit now I'll line up in the victory formation as the protector and Ben Roethlisberger will take a knee in the final seconds will tick off well mike tomlin says troy polamalu is our energizer bunny and he energized the crowd in the final play and Marvin Lewis and the Bengals will fall to 1 9 and 1 and Mike Tomlin Steelers now for and on the division and eight and three well III don't think until the Cincinnati Bengals can physically match up and play Smash Mouth in this division there ever going to be a factor Baltimore Ravens the Pittsburgh Steelers just consistently beat them up i if I ran this franchise I would start to build it from the inside out but the big guys defensive linemen defensive tackles offensive linemen and I don't think until they do that they're ever going to be able to be competitive coming up next on NFL Network it's the home depot postgame show highlights analysis live press conferences and the Bengals without Chad 2710 the final score thanks for watching Thursday night football NFL Network [Music]

Channel: Bart Simpson

Views: 72,534

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Id: d_aXWDbHZz0

Length: 146min 27sec (8787 seconds)

Published: Sat Jul 21 2018