Outstanding numbers

[Haiku_Dirtt]

Numbers don't lie. I can't say the same for statistics.

So not one to get hung up on them unless you can honestly say "the statistics don't lie."

The Steeler scoring numbers (or lack of by opponent) are outstanding. [The Cheatriots {or *Patriots* or Asterisks (or whoever is in New England)} is off the chart. And now we know why.]

But for Team Tomlin & Colbert...the sacks are there and the rushing yards are there. And the Steelers are doing it efficiently. If you look at the yards per game we rank
26th in the NFL. 26TH!! Yet nearly everyone has the Steelers in the Top 10 if not the Top 5.

All of this aside we must beat the Cardinals in the desert and the Seahawks at home so we can go into the bye week with a squeaky clean record. The rest of the season is going to be battle after battle.

I won't sit back and wait for an injury to derail our good fortune. NO. I'll take my cue from Tomlin. No matter what happens I'm believing that this 53-man roster will be prepared to win each and every game - something absent in 2006.

[Tim]

Getting TDs from all facets of the game is nice too, passing, running, special teams and defense. Definitely gotta keep that going.

[Edman]

Here comes the trap game. Arizona almost stuck it to Craptimore today. And the Steelers are coming off a win over the pesky 9ers. As much as I hate to say it, I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers have somewhat of a let down. These are the types of games that make me nervous.

The D is as stout as ever. The O has to catch up.

[I-Want-Troy's-Hair]

Here's some impressive numbers - This is the 28th consecutive game that a running back hasn't gained 100 yards against the Steelers defense.

[Preacher]

Here is another number, Ben has a season QB rating now of over 100...

I think it is 108... or close to it.

[JackHammer]

What about the numbers 3 and 0?!?!?!?!?!?

[Galax Steeler]

I also think our offense has a little catching up to do on our deffense.

[Blitzburgh_Fever]

I prefer the numbers 368. Our passing offense hasn't kicked into full gear because we haven't needed to. Parker and Roethlisberger, with help from Rossum earlier, are putting us where we want to be; in the lead. I am a bit disappointed in our red zone offense, but it's nothing we can't kick into gear. No reason we can't beat Cards and Seahawks like we have; get a lead, and let Willie Parker whittle away the clock. The way Tomlin talks, he's smart enough to walk into the Bye 5-0 and still realize we need to kick up the red zone, if we haven't at that point.

I'm hoping we can get the same sense of fear teams get when they face Indy. The whole time you watch Manning dump passes off to Wayne and Gonzales and Clark and Utecht, you're waiting for someone to blow coverage on Harrison and get burned deep. We have two solid TEs and one of the best possession receivers in the league, as well as a RB that can break for some serious YAC. Hopefully we can wait for someone to blow coverage on Holmes.

Though good lord the way that guy is playing we might not even need to wait for that. Holmes is making his own openings and rushing back to the line when Ben needs him. Plaxiwho? ;)

[delhess]

how about the number 3? 3rd that is. ben was the 3rd qb in his draft class. would you trade him for eli manning (1st qb pick) or phillip rivers (2nd qb pick)?? high draft picks don't always benefit you, do they?

[Tim]

Well, I work at NC State, so I would have been happy with Rivers. Sometimes it's the organization that molds itself around it's QB. The Steelers have done a fantastic job of working with Ben, which is even more impressive given his trial by fire entry into the starting position.

I guess what I mean is that if Rivers had come to the Steelers I think he'd be having the kind of success that Ben is having. Going to SD and sitting on the bench for a year didn't help him much.

I think Rivers could still be a great QB in the league, but I think after all is said and done, Ben will have the best career of all of them.