Grades and thoughts on the Steeler win against the Bengals

Offense ...B-

QB Ben Roethlisberger final stats were 17-27 for 163yds and 1 TD and 1 interception . He had a QB rating of 76.6 . The interception was just a bad throw and he must not make this kind of mistake with the lead . He has to be more careful in these crucial game situations.

 Rashard Mendenhall had another good running performance and continues to get better and better .

Mendenhall finished the game with 22 carries 99 yards rushing and a touchdown . He also had 3 catches for 31 yards . He is really becoming a great feature back for the Steelers. The offensive line did pretty good under the circumstances . They played with a patch work line most of the night

Left tackle Max Starks ,center Maurkice Pouncey , and guard Chris Kemoeatu all left the game with injuries . Pouncey would return later in the game. The line only gave up one sack and blocked good for Mendenhall most of the night.

The wide receivers had an OK night as a whole . Mike Wallace had another good night catching 5 passes for 110 and a TD . One a 39 TD pass from WR Antwaan Randle El. Hines Ward had 3 catches for only 10 yards and a fumble but had a few good key blocks. Over all I feel the Steelers offense played well enough to win but have a lot of room for improvement .

Defense...B -

The Steelers defense was again dominating against the run giving up only 54 yards on 18 carries that's an average of just 3 yards a carry. They sacked QB Carson Palmer 4 times and his QB rating was 88.7. LB LaMarr Woodley had two sacks and and forced a fumble. LB Lawrence Timmons had an interception and LB James Farrior had a good game with 10 tackles and a sack.

The pass defense of the Steelers played tough the first half but has to held accountable for the near collapse in the second half giving up big plays to WR Terrell Owens who ended the game with 10 catches and 141 yards and two TDs.

The Steelers defense gave up 21 points but the Bengals were helped by some questionable calls a 15 yard unnecessary roughness call on NT Casey Hampton and a questionable pass interference call on CB Ike Taylor that gave the Bengals the ball first and goal at the 1 yard line.

Overall the Steelers defense played a pretty good game but have to a little disappointed that they let the Bengals back in the game and was not able to end the Bengals hopes of a comeback much earlier .

Special Teams... B-

WR Emmanuel Sanders started things off causing a fumble on the opening kick off that lead to a TD. CB Willie Gay blocked a punt that lead to a 10-0 lead. Punter Dan Sepulveda had an average game punting and Jeff Reed hit a 53 yard field goal. Reed missed a clutch 46 yard field goal that could have sealed the game late. This is inexcusable...and he needs to end this trend

The Good...

Mike Wallace 5 catches for 110 and James Farrior with 10 tackles and a sack.

The Bad...

Ben Roethlisberger's interception ...that was one bad pass

The Ugly...

The Steelers near collapse in the fourth Quarter ...nearly gave up a 20 point lead. That could have been real ugly.