Was anyone else a little worried when they saw it was Ed Hoculi's crew doing the game? Yeah, me too. Cincy wins the toss and defers. Ed, who is not Phil Luckett, doesn't need instant replay for the coin toss.
After all the pregame talk about how great Ben is in the state of Ohio, he comes out and takes a crap on everyone's face by fumbling the first snap. The only other team's I've seen do that this year were Cleveland and Cincinnati. Oh shit...
With the offense in trouble off the bat, Ben goes to Heath for a solid pickup to get to 3rd and manageable where he hits Hines on a crossing route that Hines turns upfield for almost 30 yards. Ben finds Spaeth on the sidelines on the next play and Hines wallops 1st round pick Keith Rivers with a massive (and totally legal) hit that breaks Rivers' jaw. Yes, Hines Ward broke a linebacker's jaw. Sick.
Nate Washington took an end around for 6 yards and another first down, but we lost most of the yardage on a Kemoeatu false start. Ben can't hook up with Hines on a slant route on first and long. After being quiet for the first 6 plays, Mewelde Moore gets his first touch, but doesn't do much. On 3rd and long, Ben finds Santonio for a huge gain to get the ball down to the Cincy 2. With no fullback in the roster, the Steelers come out with Najeh lined up at fullback and Moore in the I. Ben fakes to Najeh then throws a swing pass to Moore who waltzes into the end zone for the score.
First Quarter
After all the pregame talk about how great Ben is in the state of Ohio, he comes out and takes a crap on everyone's face by fumbling the first snap. The only other team's I've seen do that this year were Cleveland and Cincinnati. Oh shit...
With the offense in trouble off the bat, Ben goes to Heath for a solid pickup to get to 3rd and manageable where he hits Hines on a crossing route that Hines turns upfield for almost 30 yards. Ben finds Spaeth on the sidelines on the next play and Hines wallops 1st round pick Keith Rivers with a massive (and totally legal) hit that breaks Rivers' jaw. Yes, Hines Ward broke a linebacker's jaw. Sick.
Nate Washington took an end around for 6 yards and another first down, but we lost most of the yardage on a Kemoeatu false start. Ben can't hook up with Hines on a slant route on first and long. After being quiet for the first 6 plays, Mewelde Moore gets his first touch, but doesn't do much. On 3rd and long, Ben finds Santonio for a huge gain to get the ball down to the Cincy 2. With no fullback in the roster, the Steelers come out with Najeh lined up at fullback and Moore in the I. Ben fakes to Najeh then throws a swing pass to Moore who waltzes into the end zone for the score.
7-0
After that great start to the game, the defense got it's shot. Let's face it. Cincy's offense without Palmer is nothing to be afraid of. This was evidenced early and often. Benson got stuffed by Farrior and Woodley. Housh caught a short one, Jailbird Henry couldn't catch it on 3rd down. Punt.
Ben wen right back to work picking on Dahanay Jones and found Santonio on a quick slant for 9. The Mewelde Moore show began as Moore ran for 3, 4 and 5 yards. On 3rd and 1, the coaches send in Gary Russell who gets stuffed. Lob Wedge comes in and punts 43 yards to the Cincy 22.
FitzPatrick fumbled but Housh was there to pick it up as Aaron Smith brought him down for a big loss. Benson got 8 back, but another incompletion on 3rd down brought out the punter. Kyle Larson defies logic by kicking a 15-yard punt. Yes, you read that right. 15 yards.
With the ball on the 30, we were already in field goal range. Moore for 3. Ben finds Hines for the first down. Ben takes a shot at the end zone for Nasty Nate, but he comes up empty. Moore goes around the right end for 16 yards to get down to the 3. With no short yardage back, Arians takes to the air. Leon Hall makes a great diving play to break up a quick slant for Hines. Ben can't hook up with Hines or Heath, and after 3 pass plays from the 3 yard line, Reed comes on for the chip shot.
Ben wen right back to work picking on Dahanay Jones and found Santonio on a quick slant for 9. The Mewelde Moore show began as Moore ran for 3, 4 and 5 yards. On 3rd and 1, the coaches send in Gary Russell who gets stuffed. Lob Wedge comes in and punts 43 yards to the Cincy 22.
FitzPatrick fumbled but Housh was there to pick it up as Aaron Smith brought him down for a big loss. Benson got 8 back, but another incompletion on 3rd down brought out the punter. Kyle Larson defies logic by kicking a 15-yard punt. Yes, you read that right. 15 yards.
With the ball on the 30, we were already in field goal range. Moore for 3. Ben finds Hines for the first down. Ben takes a shot at the end zone for Nasty Nate, but he comes up empty. Moore goes around the right end for 16 yards to get down to the 3. With no short yardage back, Arians takes to the air. Leon Hall makes a great diving play to break up a quick slant for Hines. Ben can't hook up with Hines or Heath, and after 3 pass plays from the 3 yard line, Reed comes on for the chip shot.
10-0
At this point, you might be a little worried that we weren't able to convert that golden opportunity and take a big lead early.
James Harrison put those fears to rest with a big sack of FitzPatrick on first down. Antonio Chapman pulled in a pass to negate the sack yardage as the quarter expired.
Second Quarter
After a first quarter where we had almost 11 minutes in time of possession, you knew a letdown was coming, you just didn't want it to happen. Woodley applied the heat to FitzPatrick, who, because of his very Irish name, will be "Erin" from now on. Much shorter and easier. Punt.
If the Steelers could muster up some points here, they could pretty much put the game away. Buzzkill: they went 3-and-out. Ben took a shot deep for Holmes but came up empty. Moore reeled one in for 7 but we were set back by a false start and delay of game. Incomplete Pass. Lob Wedge pins Cincy inside the 10.
The Diesel stops Benson. Erin finds Ocho Stinko for a short gain, but can't deal with pressure from Harrison and throws an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Punt.
With the ball near midfield, Arians decides we haven't used the motif offense yet, so we might as well use it now. Moore for 6 and 2. On 3rd and 2, once again defying Steelers football logic, we put the ball in the air on a swing pass to Moore that gets stopped in it's tracks. Lob Wedge blasts one into the end zone.
Erin goes deep for Jailbird, but Ike was all over it and almost came up with the pick. Benson got stuffed and Farrior brings Erin down with a sack. The 2nd quarter was going great if you were a punting enthusiast.
Moore caught a short one for little, but Santonio came through to pick up a big first down and more. Ben went right back to him for 16 more yards to get to the fringes of field goal range. The first down pass got tipped at the line and fell incomplete. Moore got stuffed in the backfield for a loss of 4 on 2nd down and Ben was under pressure and threw a pass too high for Heath on 3rd down. Rather than try a 55-yard field goal, Lob Wedge comes out and pins the Bungles inside their 10.
Erin finds Stinko for 6 on first down and BUI Benson falls forward for 4 yards and the Bungles first first down of the game with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half. The crowd goes nuts. With the crowd behind him, BUI goes for 9 yards in 2 carries and Erin finds Housh to convert again. A holding penalty negates their first play, but Erin gets it all back by finding Jailbird for 16 yards as the clock winds down to 2 minutes.
Former Nitany Lion Kenny Watson comes in and picks up the first down to get the ball across the 40. You have that sinking feeling that the Steelers didn't put the Bungles away when they had the chance and it's coming back to bite them in the ass. Erin navigates the field by finding Jailbird for 10, Housh for 12 and Jailbird again for 18 to get into the red zone. The Replay Booth challenged the catch, but Hoculi said there wasn't conclusive video evidence to show that he needs new contact lenses. Erin and Stinko decide to try and put on a show and hook up 3 times, the last one for a touchdown on a lob pass that Erin had to get rid of with Lawrence Timmons in his face.
The Bengals top fans celebrate their touchdown by stealing an airplane.
10-7
If the Steelers could muster up some points here, they could pretty much put the game away. Buzzkill: they went 3-and-out. Ben took a shot deep for Holmes but came up empty. Moore reeled one in for 7 but we were set back by a false start and delay of game. Incomplete Pass. Lob Wedge pins Cincy inside the 10.
The Diesel stops Benson. Erin finds Ocho Stinko for a short gain, but can't deal with pressure from Harrison and throws an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Punt.
With the ball near midfield, Arians decides we haven't used the motif offense yet, so we might as well use it now. Moore for 6 and 2. On 3rd and 2, once again defying Steelers football logic, we put the ball in the air on a swing pass to Moore that gets stopped in it's tracks. Lob Wedge blasts one into the end zone.
Erin goes deep for Jailbird, but Ike was all over it and almost came up with the pick. Benson got stuffed and Farrior brings Erin down with a sack. The 2nd quarter was going great if you were a punting enthusiast.
Moore caught a short one for little, but Santonio came through to pick up a big first down and more. Ben went right back to him for 16 more yards to get to the fringes of field goal range. The first down pass got tipped at the line and fell incomplete. Moore got stuffed in the backfield for a loss of 4 on 2nd down and Ben was under pressure and threw a pass too high for Heath on 3rd down. Rather than try a 55-yard field goal, Lob Wedge comes out and pins the Bungles inside their 10.
Erin finds Stinko for 6 on first down and BUI Benson falls forward for 4 yards and the Bungles first first down of the game with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half. The crowd goes nuts. With the crowd behind him, BUI goes for 9 yards in 2 carries and Erin finds Housh to convert again. A holding penalty negates their first play, but Erin gets it all back by finding Jailbird for 16 yards as the clock winds down to 2 minutes.
Former Nitany Lion Kenny Watson comes in and picks up the first down to get the ball across the 40. You have that sinking feeling that the Steelers didn't put the Bungles away when they had the chance and it's coming back to bite them in the ass. Erin navigates the field by finding Jailbird for 10, Housh for 12 and Jailbird again for 18 to get into the red zone. The Replay Booth challenged the catch, but Hoculi said there wasn't conclusive video evidence to show that he needs new contact lenses. Erin and Stinko decide to try and put on a show and hook up 3 times, the last one for a touchdown on a lob pass that Erin had to get rid of with Lawrence Timmons in his face.
The Bengals top fans celebrate their touchdown by stealing an airplane.
10-7
As Ben took a knee to end the half, you had a sinking feeling that with Cincy getting the ball to start the second half, we might be in trouble. We had the chance to put them away and now they're making a game of it.
Third Quarter
After what seemed like the longest halftime since the Ravens game, the Third Quarter finally started. The bad feeling in your gut didn't go away when Erin converted a 3rd and 7 by scrambling. Erin seemed poised to lead another scoring drive as he got the Bungles into a third and short, but...
James Harrison comes up with an incredibly timely sack for force a punt. Santonio brings it back to near midfield and the Steelers are in good shape.
Mewelde Moore alleviates some of your fears by taking a handoff on the first play around the left end and dashing for 24 yards. The Mewelde Moore Show continued as he snagged a short pass for 5 then busted another run for 6 to get the ball to the 20. Ben and Santonio can't hook up, but Ben finds Heath for 7 yards to get the ball down to the 13. On 3rd and 3, when, given their prior play-calling patterns, you expect a pass, Moore takes a handoff around the corner and gets a great seal block from Darnell Stapleton and he has a clear path to paydirt.
Mewelde Moore alleviates some of your fears by taking a handoff on the first play around the left end and dashing for 24 yards. The Mewelde Moore Show continued as he snagged a short pass for 5 then busted another run for 6 to get the ball to the 20. Ben and Santonio can't hook up, but Ben finds Heath for 7 yards to get the ball down to the 13. On 3rd and 3, when, given their prior play-calling patterns, you expect a pass, Moore takes a handoff around the corner and gets a great seal block from Darnell Stapleton and he has a clear path to paydirt.
17-7
The Bungles sniffed the hope of winning, and weren't quite ready to give it up just yet. Erin found BUI for 10, then BUI powered for 5 yards. After an incompletion, Housh pulls one down to convert the 3rd down. Stinko snags a 7-yarder and 2 short runs set up a key 4th and 1 on the 14. Conventional wisdom would say kick the field goal and take the points, but the Bungles are 0-6. Erin sneaks for 2 yards to keep the drive alive then finds Stinko to get the ball down to the 5. Things look bleak, but the Big Stick Policy reminds everyone that this is the Bungles, and brings Erin down. Kenny Watson can't catch a short pass on 3rd down, and the Bungles are forced to kick a field goal.
17-10
We all felt a little better with the 7-point lead, but a 1-score game at the end of the 3rd quarter was a little closer than we wanted. Hines picked up 7 yards on first down, and Moore gets 2 to set up 3rd and short. Arians calls a stupid play to try to send Moore around the end on 3rd and short and we have to punt.
Harrison gets a paw on the ball and swats down a pass, but BUI comes back with a 7-yard charge as the third quarter ends.
Harrison gets a paw on the ball and swats down a pass, but BUI comes back with a 7-yard charge as the third quarter ends.
Fourth Quarter
Erin converted another 3rd down with a pass to Housh and you had that sinking feeling that we were going to have to pull out another close game in the 4th quarter. That feeling didn't get any better when Erin hit Chapman and Housh to pick up another first down. After missing on a deep shot for Stinko, Benson plows through the defense and knocks out two guys. Troy layed a wallop on him and lost his helmet from the hit, but also knocked himself out of the game with a concussion. B-Mac also left the game with a broken arm.
JD says: B-Mac is out at least 5 weeks.
The run was good for a first down, but with the ball in Steelers territory, the Bungles choke. Timmons is all over the place as he stops BUI on a run, then sacks Erin on 3rd down to force a punt.
As the Steelers got the ball on the 9, we all knew the truth: we needed points of the 7 variety. Badly. Moore responds by taking the first carry for 16 yards to get the ball out of danger. Moore goes for 3, and Santonio pulls in a big catch on 3rd down to keep the drive alive after an incompletion on 2nd down. Moore runs for 5 more to get the ball up to the 50. On 2nd down, when it seemed like we were in for a long drive, Ben finds Nasty Nate on 5th avenue and Nate takes it to the HOUSE.
JD says: B-Mac is out at least 5 weeks.
The run was good for a first down, but with the ball in Steelers territory, the Bungles choke. Timmons is all over the place as he stops BUI on a run, then sacks Erin on 3rd down to force a punt.
As the Steelers got the ball on the 9, we all knew the truth: we needed points of the 7 variety. Badly. Moore responds by taking the first carry for 16 yards to get the ball out of danger. Moore goes for 3, and Santonio pulls in a big catch on 3rd down to keep the drive alive after an incompletion on 2nd down. Moore runs for 5 more to get the ball up to the 50. On 2nd down, when it seemed like we were in for a long drive, Ben finds Nasty Nate on 5th avenue and Nate takes it to the HOUSE.
24-10
After that near perfect 6-play, 91-yard drive, the Bungles start to come apart at the seams. After an incompletion, BUI gets stopped in the backfield and Timmons comes up with another sack on 3rd down to force another punt.
With the ball near midfield, the Steelers knew they didn't want to just play field position. Ben takes a shot downfield for Hines, who draws a pass interference call that's good for 38 yards to get the ball inside the 15. Cue the Mewelde Moore show. He gets 6 yards on two consecutive carries, then seals the deal with a 2-yard touchdown run.
With the ball near midfield, the Steelers knew they didn't want to just play field position. Ben takes a shot downfield for Hines, who draws a pass interference call that's good for 38 yards to get the ball inside the 15. Cue the Mewelde Moore show. He gets 6 yards on two consecutive carries, then seals the deal with a 2-yard touchdown run.
31-10
Stinko drops one on the sideline, then Housh can't come up with the ball, setting up another 3rd down. Big Stick takes a swat at Erin as he's getting pushed past him and manages to get the ball, forcing a fumble. Big Sticks swings off his block and dives on the ball to give the Steelers the ball in Bungles territory.
Byron comes in to close things off and, seemingly, just hand off to Gary Russell. But after Russell gets stopped in the backfield on first down, Byron has to go to the air. He finds Nate on 2nd down then hits Limas Sweeeeeeed for his first catch as a pro on a slant route to pick up the first down. Russell gets 2 carries to wind the clock down to 2 minutes to set up 3rd and 7. Byron throws one out for Hines and Jonathan Joseph makes a good play on the ball and is able to make a diving tip of the ball. However, the ball popped up into the air, and Hines pulled it down and was able to waltz untouched into the end zone for the final nail in the coffin.
Byron comes in to close things off and, seemingly, just hand off to Gary Russell. But after Russell gets stopped in the backfield on first down, Byron has to go to the air. He finds Nate on 2nd down then hits Limas Sweeeeeeed for his first catch as a pro on a slant route to pick up the first down. Russell gets 2 carries to wind the clock down to 2 minutes to set up 3rd and 7. Byron throws one out for Hines and Jonathan Joseph makes a good play on the ball and is able to make a diving tip of the ball. However, the ball popped up into the air, and Hines pulled it down and was able to waltz untouched into the end zone for the final nail in the coffin.
38-10
With just under 2 minutes left, the Bungles send in Jordan Palmer to face the Steelers JV Defense. The Bungles offensive coordinator should be fined by the NFL for calling passing plays and delaying the game even longer. The Bungles were able to run 3 plays in the last 10 seconds of the game because of incomplete passes. I guess they really wanted to wallow in their misery even longer.
Mr. Yuck Sticker of the Game
Cincy's offensive coordinator for calling passing plays in the last 2 minutes when we really just wanted the game to be over.
Final Thoughts
Players of the Game:
Offensive Game Ball: Mewelde Moore
Defensive Game Ball: LaMarr Woodley
Honorable Mentions:
James Harrison
Lawrence Timmons
Ben Roethlisberger
Nate Washington
Offensive Game Ball: Mewelde Moore
Defensive Game Ball: LaMarr Woodley
Honorable Mentions:
James Harrison
Lawrence Timmons
Ben Roethlisberger
Nate Washington
Mr. Yuck Sticker of the Game
Cincy's offensive coordinator for calling passing plays in the last 2 minutes when we really just wanted the game to be over.
Final Thoughts
- Mewelde Moore is playing great. We just need to not run him into the ground like we did with Willie.
- Nate Washington is turning into a great #3 receiver.
- Hopefully Troy will be okay, he was having a Pro Bowl year.
- Pro Bowl ballots are available on nfl.com. Make sure to vote!
- This was a good tuneup for our big showdown with the Giants next week.
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