Is the Bengals' offense really all it's cracked up to be⢠Is the Steelers' offensive line as good as they need it to be⢠Will it be slug-it-out or a shootout at Paul Brown Stadium⢠And who are the difference-makers destined to decide Sunday afternoon's playoff game between the Steelers and the Bengals?
One veteran NFL personnel man offered his thoughts on the game to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mike Prisuta.
BENGALS OFFENSE: "You gotta stop the run, stop (RB) Rudi Johnson, that's where it begins. You gotta make them one-dimensional because they're very balanced. You gotta take one part of that offense away. "I think it works because of the QB (Carson Palmer). They like to spread you out because they have three or four WRs that can get up the field, and their line is really improved. The best way to defend their offense is to control the ball and keep it off the field. They're going to score points and move the ball."
THE QB: "Palmer's had a great year. He's playing like an eight- or nine-year veteran. He's been poised and he's doing a great job with the no-huddle (offense), which they'll have a better chance to get into at home. And when they get in it they can dicatate a little, because the defense can't substitute as much and might have to simplify its calls."
THE CONCERN: "The two guys maybe to attack are the C (Rich Braham) and RG (Bobbie Williams). They have an outstanding LG (Eric Steinbach). The C is an older, savvy guy but he's not real strong and the RG is not a great athlete. A rusher can move and give him something; he's physical but not real good moving his feet."
BENGALS DEFENSE: "They're OK, but they're not quite good enough. Theyre probably a little better than they've been up front, but not great. They're young at LB. The rookie in the middle (Odell Thurman) has been very good. He can be over-aggressive at times and he's not the biggest guy in the world, but he's instinctive, he's got good speed and he's tough. Every once in a while his inexperience shows on tape.
"The corners (LCB Deltha O'Neal and RCB Tory James) are ball-hawks, but they're gamblers. They'll guess and take chances and make a big play and give up a big play. They're playing with two backups at S and there's a reason (SS Ifeanyi Ohalete and FS Kevin Kaesviharn) are backups.
"They're defense is still not quite where a championship team would want it to be."
THE CONCERN: "You can run on them. Inside, they're just OK. They might be a little better on the perimeter. The two DTs (Bryan Robinson and John Thornton) aren't big, the LBs aren't big and the safeties are backups; run straight at 'em. (Steelers RB Jerome) Bettis will be a big factor in the game."
STEELERS OFFENSE: "(RB Willie) Parker, you gotta respect his speed and keep him inside the tackles, where I don't think he runs as effectively. If he gets outside or he gets a step or you take a bad angle, it's gonna be a big play and you have to be concerned with that.
The LT (Marvel Smith) has been banged up. They're getting him back, which is good. The RG (Kendall Simmons) is pretty average and the RT (Max Starks) is basically a rookie. I don't think they're as good (as they've been) up front.
"Hines Ward, if you look at his total gme, he's still one of the best WRs in the league. Blocking and running after the catch, he still looks like the same guy. I was never a big 'Plex' fan (WR Plaxico Burress); I think he dropped as many as he caught. I like Hines. I like (WR Antwaan) Randle El. The other guys (WRs Cedrick Wilson and Quincy Morgan), they're just OK. I don't think either guy is a difference-maker."
THE QB: "(Ben Roethlisberger) looks a little more composed. I still think he's hurting a little bit. I don't think he's throwing the ball as well as last year. Maybe they haven't thrown as much because of that, but he looks more in control, more poised."
THE CONCERN: "If you can get the Steelers into a situation where they have to throw, they're not as effective. I don't think they protect the quarterback as well as the Bengals."
STEELERS DEFENSE: "I thought early in the year the secondary was shaky but they've improved there. You know they'll play physical and they're going to blitz, but you gotta be careful with Palmer because they protect well and he knows where to go with the ball.
"The cornerbacks (LCB Ike Taylor and RCB Deshea Townsend) are adequate, but I'm not sure they're better than that. If Palmer gets time to throw, they'll be exposed some. I don't think they have great corners.
"(SS Troy) Polamalu is more of an impact player around the line of scrimmage. If you get him back in coverage he's not as effective, and Cincinnati does a good job of spreading you out and has the receivers to do it.
"The LBs played hard and physical and there's been no dropoff."
THE CONCERN: "Even if you can take (WR) Chad (Johnson) away, they have other WRs that can hurt you. T.J. Houshmandzadeh can hurt you, the kid from West Virginia (Chris Henry) is good, they have TEs that can run. And Chris Perry is a great third-down back. He's big enough to block if he has to stay in and he gives them a guy to hit on check-downs if up the field is covered."
SPECIAL TEAMS: "I don't think either unit is outstanding. The Steelers might have a little edge in the return game because of Randle El (on punt returns). Both teams, coverage-wise, are so-so. Both kickers are good. At punter, Cincinnati might have a little edge. Pittsburgh's probably a little better because of Randle El.
WHO WILL WIN: "Pittsburgh. Just the experience factor for the players and the (head) coach (Bill Cowher) will be the difference. Probably the biggest thing the Steelers have going for them is playoff experience. Cincinnati doesn't have it and that's a huge factor. Until you're in one of those games as a player you can't understand how it's more intense, more physical, faster, and how every play is magnified.
"Palmer's had a great year, but how is he going to play in his fist playoff game⢠All the pressure is on Cincinnati. The Bengals won the division, it's a home game, they haven't had a home playoff game in 100 years. The Seelers will come in loose and play well.
"And I like Cincinnati; I think (the Bengals) are on the right track. They still might be a draft or two away from where they want to be defensively."
