The Steelers need to bounce back from the tough loss to the Jets just a few short days ago and the Panthers could be the medicine the Steelers need. The Steelers control their own destiny for a bye and the number 2 seed in the AFC by winning out. There is absolutely no reason why they should lose this game. None. Below are what we deem to be 7 keys to the game for the Steelers to beat the Panthers in week 16. 12 In The Box - Of course I am kidding, but it is no secret the Panthers know the best shot they have is to run the ball effectively. They are averaging 116.8 yards per game on the ground Read more [...]

Injuries for the Steelers this week will add a new name to the inactive list this week against the Carolina Panthers Thursday night. Safety Troy Polamalu (ankle) will miss the contest as will WR Arnaz Battle (chest) and Aaron Smith (triceps). All three players were ruled out again on the injury report. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Thursday night against the Panthers and why. QB Charlie Batch - No reason to think Charlie will not remain the #3 this week yet again. Too bad he and Byron Leftwich could not get a Read more [...]

With four games remaining now in the 2010 regular season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin should really be in the pole position for the NFL head coach of the year honors. Before the season ever began, the Steelers were faced with adversity as starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was facing a minimum of a four game suspension. During training camp and preseason Tomlin was criticized for the handling of the back-up quarterback rotation and playing time. In the final preseason game against the Panthers, number two quarterback Byron Leftwich suffered an MCL injury to his knee that would sideline Read more [...]

This game might be more important to the Steelers than it is the Ravens because a loss by the Steelers almost assures them not winning the AFC North division. If the Ravens lose, they are just one game back, where as if the Steelers lose, they are two back on head-to-head tie breakers The Steelers lost in week 4 on a last minute touchdown by wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Steelers offense blew a chance to put the Ravens away late bin the game by committing crucial penalties and failing to convert just one more first down to run out the clock. This will be a measuring stick for the Steelers Read more [...]

Reading the tea leaves this week with the inactive list is a little bit easier with injuries and who looks like they might be coming back from the injury list. The only real question mark on this guess list for Sunday night is if the Steelers choose to dress 8 offensive linemen again or not with Matt Spaeth down. If he does dress Tony Hills as the 8th like he did last week, that means that rookie receiver Antonio Brown will in all likelihood be down again. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night against the Baltimore Read more [...]

When the Steelers travel to Baltimore Sunday night to face the Ravens on national television, it not only will be a very important game for the AFC North crown, it will be a game to let Steeler Nation know what exactly this 2010 team is or isn't and whether or not it is legitimate contender to capture a 7th Lombardi Trophy. A ton has changed since the week 4 loss to the Ravens as that was the last game starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was forced to miss due to his four game suspension to start the season. Even number two quarterback Byron Leftwich was sidelined with a MCL injury and veteran Read more [...]

With the Steelers Week 11 Friday injury report in and no roster moves expected on Saturday once again this week, it is time to take our weekly stab at the likely week 11 inactives for Sunday. Injuries help narrow it down some along with the past gameday inactives, but there remains two questionable spots on the inactives with the uncertainty of defensive end Brett Keisel and the question of whether or not head coach Mike Tomlin will want to dress 7 or 8 linemen this week. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday afternoon Read more [...]

With the Steelers Friday injury report in and no roster moves expected on Saturday this week to bring a player up from the practice squad, it is time to take a stab at the likely week 10 inactives. Injuries help narrow it down some along with the past gameday inactives. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night against the New England Patriots. QB Charlie Batch - I can't see Uncle Charlie getting promoted above Byron Leftwich this week. Let us hope that we do not have to see either for the rest of the season. DE Read more [...]

Injuries always make the inactive list a bit easier to predict. This week Aaron Smith is out and Brett Keisel is all but out for his second straight week. Steve McLendon was promoted earlier today to the 53 man roster and rookie linebacker Thaddeus Gibson was waived. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints. QB Charlie Batch - Byron Leftwich remains the #2 and Batch the emergency #3. You think the Cowboys would kill to have either of these two guys right now? DE Brett Keisel Read more [...]

Emmanuel Sanders was named the AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week on Wednesday and maybe backup quarterback Byron Leftwich had something to do with it. Manny also sat down with Joe Starkey and discusses a number of topics on 93.7 The Fan. He talked about his jersey number and the game last week against the Dolphins. Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel didn't practice on Wednesday, but is hopeful to play against the Saints on Halloween night at the Superdome. [phpbay]Steelers Emmanuel Sanders, 3, "", ""[/phpbay] Rick Gosselin has a great piece on right tackle Flozell Adams in the Dallas Read more [...]

Some things we know for sure headed into the game with Miami is that right defensive end Brett Keisel is out and will be inactive. Emmanuel Sanders will be the 4th receiver once again and handle some return duties. Rookies Jonathan Dwyer and Crezdon Butler can once again pack only their sideline clothes. An interesting mystery though is that if indeed Steve McLendon is not activated to take the place of Keisel on the game day roster then you could see rookie linebacker Thaddeus Gibson get a helmet for depth as a left side pass rusher if needed in a pinch. 6 of these 8 spots are pretty much locked Read more [...]

As Saturday approaches the Steelers once again have to decide if they want to go down to Miami with just 5 healthy defensive linemen or do they want to once again bring Steve McLendon up from the practice squad. In my opinion I think they should roll with just 5, but it is not carved in stone and it is very risky to do. If McLendon is promoted on Saturday, someone needs to be released and I thought I would take a look at the who I think the bottom 5 on the roster are and the least riskiest to expose to the waiver wire. Tony Hills - Although we do not fully know the health status of rookie lineman Read more [...]

During his press conference today, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin let us know real quick that right defensive end Brett Keisel would miss the Miami Dolphins game on Sunday with a hamstring injury. He then went on to say that both Nick Eason and Ziggy Hood would see more time in his absence, but did not indicate which of the two would start. My early guess is that it will be Eason as he has logged the most snaps thus far on the right side in relief of Keisel during the D-line rotations through 5 games thus far. Hood on the other hand has mostly spelled Aaron Smith at the left end spot and has yet Read more [...]

The bye week is behind us now and it is time once again to read the tea leaves for who will be inactive for the week 6 game Sunday at Heinz Field against the Cleveland Browns. We have done well to nail these the last two weeks and this week is not as much of a challenge if indeed the news about Emmanuel Sanders being active is indeed correct. Also the Steelers are very healthy coming out of the bye with only Trai Essex listed on the injury report. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday. QB Byron Leftwich - Every Read more [...]

Gerry Dulac reports that unless Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin today who will back-up Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, it may very well remain a mystery until game day. My money is on Charlie Batch right now as he has earned it and Byron Leftwich could use the extra time to continue to rehab that knee. THE PPG Plus blog is great and this morning Ed Bouchette offers up a few Chuck Noll lightning stories in honor of the delayed start time last night due to lightning. Back-up nose tackle Chris Hoke returned to practice Monday after injuring his knee against Tampa Bay and missing the last Read more [...]