Let's Get It On!!

I have not written anything for the past week, but with the Bengals in the playoffs, it is time to start preparing. Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh this Sunday in what is the Bengals' first playoff game since 1990. The Bengals have been struggling lately by dropping their final two regular season games, and it will be interesting to see how they come out at the beginning of the game on Sunday. I intend to write at least one post a day up until the game because of the significance surrounding this week. Today I am going to address some of the trends and themes displayed by both teams since their last meeting on December 4.

Cincinnati Bengals: (2-2), 23.5 ppg, 27.7 opp. ppg.

Strengths:

• Rudi Johnson played well in the last Pittsburgh meeting, and he has carried that over in the 4 games since. He has rushed for 392 yards in the final 4 games which is even more impressive considering the fact that he was used sparingly in the Kansas City game. Johnson has showed a knack for rushing better as the weather gets colder and as the season grows longer. This is the type of back you want in your backfield during the playoffs. He gets tough yards, and he wears down opposing defenses.
• Shayne Graham as been hot the entire second half of the season, and it has been even more apparent since December 4th. He has gone a perfect 8-8 on field goals in the team's last 4 games, and he has 32 total points during this time. This also includes a season long 49 yarder at Kansas City last week. Special teams can be the deciding factor in the playoffs. A missed field goal can be the difference from moving on and going home. Having Graham is certainly a benefit for the Bengals.
• Odell Thurman has been a bright spot all season for the Bengals. This second round pick wound up being the steal of the draft, and his energy and play-making ability have helped the defense all season. That being said, the defense has struggled mightily lately, and Thurman will have to find a way to jump start the D come Sunday. He had 25 total tackles and a half sack in the final 4 games of the season which is not overly impressive given his ability. Even though these numbers are somewhat low, Thurman's presence is still alwyas there because of the energy with which he plays the game.
  

Weaknesses:

• The defense as a whole has been pathetic since their meeting with the Steelers. Their biggest problem continues to be their inability to get off the field. They hare #1 in the NFL in turnovers, but when they do not force them, they do not stop the opposing offenses. Their biggest problem was exposed last week against Kansas City when they allowed Larry Johnson to rush for 201 yards. The week before they let Kelly Holcombe throw for over 300 yards in a 37-27 loss. It seems that when they have been able to stop the run, they get beat badly in the passing game and vice versa. They will have to figure out which one to focus on agaisnt the Steelers.
• Carson has had an MVP caliber season. His numbers have set Bengal records in several categories. Despite all of this, Palmer has looked shaky at best since the Pittsburgh win. He threw for a career low 93 yards passing against Cleveland, and he has had at least one interception in each of their last four games outside of the Kansas City game. Palmer's decision making and accuracy has looked poor, and the Bengals will need him firing on all cylinders if they want to move on.
• Where have all the turnovers gone? The Bengals forced 3 INTs against the Lions, but they allowed Charlie Frye and Kelly Holcombe to look pretty good as they only picked them off one each. The Bengals have got to be able to make Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball a lot in order for them to be successful defensively.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0), 28.7 ppg, 8.2 opp. ppg.

Strenghths:

• The Steelers' ground attack has gotten back on track after struggling some during the middle of the year. They are averaging 185 rushing yards a game since last playing Cincinnati, and they have a full stable of running backs to send at the Bengals. The Bengals' run defense still ranks among the worst in the league. If Pittsburgh can keep their ground game going, they should be in good shape come Sunday.
• The defense has also stepped it up lately for Pittsburgh. They are allowing only 234 yards per game, and they have been killing opposing drives once they near the red zone. They have not been playing the most potent of offenses, but it is still a scary sight to see their defense playing this well.
• These last four games have been must win games for the Steelers, and they have responded with flying colors. They made it into the playoffs by winning all of these games, and they now are prepared to play in the do or die atmosphere that is the NFL playoffs.

Weaknesses:

• It is hard to find any weaknesses with the way that the Steelers have played recently. They have dominated on both sides of the ball, and as a result, they have demolished their competition. The only possible weakness would be the fact that they did not have to throw the ball very much during that 4 game stretch. If the Bengals get them into a passing shootout, the advantage shifts to Cincinnati and Carson Palmer. If the Steelers can keep the ball on the ground, it could be a long day for the Bengals' fans.
  

Never a good sign for Bengals fans