Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 13, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20130916004&home=4&vis=23 (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals felt like they let one get away in their season opener, blowing a double-digit lead in the second half of a performance full of turnovers and penalties. They'll still head into Week 2 feeling much better than the Pittsburgh Steelers. After losing three players for the season in their opener and looking inept offensively, the Steelers could have a difficult time continuing their road dominance of the Bengals in this Monday night reunion with former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. The AFC North went 0 for 4 in Week 1, a surprisingly empty start from a division that's produced five playoff teams over the past two seasons. The Bengals blew an 11-point third-quarter lead, turned it over three times and committed eight penalties - including linebacker Rey Maualuga's personal foul away from the play that allowed Chicago to run out the clock - in their 24-21 loss, but they were by far the North's most competitive team after clunkers from the Steelers, Browns and Ravens. "Yeah, it helps ease it a little bit," defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. "But you can look at it the other way, too, and say we could've been one up." Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict suffered a knee bruise, but it isn't believed to be serious. The Bengals head into Week 2 mostly healthy and may get left tackle Andrew Whitworth back after he sat out the opener with a knee injury. The Steelers' injury report is a bit more extensive. Center Maurkice Pouncey tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on the team's first drive, linebacker Larry Foote ruptured his biceps and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling also tore an ACL in Pittsburgh's 16-9 home loss to Tennessee. With utility lineman Kelvin Beachum having to come in to replace Pouncey for his first NFL action at center, the Steelers' offense managed 195 total yards - including 32 on 15 carries - and didn't score until 1:23 remained. "We've got a lot of work to do," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Nobody cares about our problems. They're glad we've got them. We need to understand that. We need to stick together and persevere." One Bengal who figures to be particularly unsympathetic to the Steelers' woes is Harrison, the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year who the team released in March when the sides couldn't agree on a restructured deal. Harrison, fined six times for a total of $125,000 from 2010-11 for hits the league deemed illegal or unnecessary, said in April he wasn't upset. "I don't have a chip on my shoulder against the Steelers," Harrison said. "I don't hate the Steelers. All the things they're saying, that the media is blowing it up to be ... am I disappointed? Yeah, I'm disappointed." He was limited to one tackle in the loss to the Bears, but Tomlin is expecting a locked-in Harrison on Monday. "We all know how James plays," Tomlin said. "He brings physicality to the table, he's a guy who brings great passion and he can inspire his teammates." The Steelers, looking to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2002, certainly fared well in Cincinnati when Harrison was wearing black and gold. They've won 11 of their last 12 at Paul Brown Stadium, including last season's 24-17 victory there Oct. 21 behind Jonathan Dwyer's 122 yards on 17 carries. Pittsburgh released Dwyer in its final round of cuts, but re-signed him Monday after Stephens-Howling's injury and Isaac Redman's struggles. Redman is expected to start in Cincinnati, but Dwyer should get some time with rookie Le'Veon Bell likely out at least another month with a foot injury. The Steelers have run for at least 100 yards in all 29 of their victories against Cincinnati since 1993. "I think a consistent running game is really important, not only to be good offensively, but to strike a balance," Tomlin said. "We haven't been able to do that to this point." The Bengals fared well against the run in Chicago, holding the Bears to 2.9 yards per carry, but they did allow a pair of 80-yard scoring drives after taking a 21-10 lead. Cincinnati's offense did even better sustaining drives. The Bengals marched for touchdowns of 97, 91 and 80 yards against what was the NFL's fifth-rated defense last season. "They didn't stop us one time," said receiver A.J. Green, who had nine catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns. "They didn't really stop us on offense. We were doing whatever we wanted. The biggest thing we had was turnovers." The Andy Dalton-Green connection has been oddly quiet in Cincinnati against cornerback Ike Taylor and the Steelers. Green has totaled two catches in a pair of home games versus Pittsburgh, though both were for touchdowns. Green has 17 catches, 203 yards and 29 targets in two games in Pittsburgh, including 10 grabs in Cincinnati's 13-10 win at Heinz Field in December that eliminated the Steelers from playoff contention. That was the same game Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller tore his ACL. Miller, Ben Roethlisberger's top target last season with 71 receptions and eight TDs, has been practicing and could make his season debut Monday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 13, 2013 The last two years the Steelers lost the opening game and came out with fury in game 2. I'm usually a believer in the Steelers but I'm not sure they pull this one off. I think their defense is still top notch but their offense is in a state of quandry. Had o-line problems, lost Pouncey on top of that and wasn't that productive in the passing game. It appeared they missed Mike Wallace but it's too early to say if that's the case or not. I know Big Ben can thrive without Wallace but their o-line is in a troublesome state at the moment and is going against a pretty young and hungry defense. I'm taking the Bengals in this one. 23 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFL-Lady 1 Posted September 14, 2013 BENGALS win this for sure... WHO DEY! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted September 14, 2013 Steelers better play a lot better than last week. 16 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted September 14, 2013 24 10 Steelers continue to have no weapons and no offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted September 14, 2013 Bengals. I'm not high at all on the Steelers this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 15, 2013 Let's see the Bengals get beat by an inferior team two weeks in a row. I don't think it happens, but never count the Steelers out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted September 15, 2013 Bengals: 24 Steelers: 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted September 15, 2013 Bengals. I'm not high at all on the Steelers this season. Nobody is lol Except maybe Razor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted September 16, 2013 Me winning another $112 from Fanduel rides on the shoulders of the Steelers offense not being incompetent fucks... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 16, 2013 Steelers declared TE Heath Miller (knee), RB Le'Veon Bell (foot), CB Cortez Allen (ankle), QB Landry Jones, K Shayne Graham, CB Curtis Brown (illness), and G Cody Wallace inactive for Monday night's Week 2 game in Cincinnati. Miller has been practicing on a limited basis the past two weeks, but he's still a couple weeks away from returning. Bell has a Lisfranc sprain. With Allen and Brown out, William Gay will start opposite Ike Taylor. Graham was signed as insurance for Shaun Suisham (hamstring). Suisham will kick tonight. Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth (knee) is active for Monday night's Week 2 game against the Steelers. Whitworth practiced on a limited basis all week and was listed as questionable on the injury report. He missed the opener against the Bears. Anthony Collins filled in admirably, but he'll revert back to swing tackle duties. The Bengals' inactives: WR Dane Sanzenbacher, CB Brandon Ghee, RB Rex Burkhead, G Mike Pollak, T Tanner Hawkinson, TE/FB Orson Charles, and DE Margus Hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted September 17, 2013 I was in line to win that money, but then a lousy pass from Ben to Cotchery late in the 4th happened... Holy fuck the Steelers offense is atrocious. Useless fucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 17, 2013 (edited) Oh Marvin Lewis, you so silly. Edited September 17, 2013 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 17, 2013 Marvin Lewis is riding :2guns: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 17, 2013 (edited) Killer play. Edited September 17, 2013 by dutchff7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted September 17, 2013 Bengals: 24 Steelers: 9 Sooo close. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
