Are things breaking the Steelers' way?

While seeing the Steelers win is always a fervent desire we have a very strong ethic of not wanting to see opponents -- even Baltimore Ravens -- injured.  But Monday's news that Texans'  quarterback Matt Schaub is likely out for the season has been followed-up Tuesday morning with news that Kansas City QB Matt Cassel has a "serious" hand injury and may be out for the season as well.

The potential impact to the Steelers should be obvious:  Houston's perch at #1 in the AFC now rides on the left arm of Matt Leinart; and the Steelers' next opponent, Kansas City, will (apparently) trot out former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko to face his hometown team.

Pittsburgh still needs help in the form of an additional Baltimore loss, or two, and the Steelers need to do their part (i.e. win!).  However, a path to the #1 seed is beginning to emerge; and here's hoping the Black & Gold can seize the opportunity.

Steelers @ Cincinnati: The Results

Here is a look at how the Steelers have been doing this season in several statistical categories, and how they measured up in their most recent game.

Cincinnati Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: 316.3 vs. Actual total yards: 279 (-37.3)
Average net rushing yards per game: 104.1 vs. Actual net rushing yards: 109 (+4.9)
Average net passing yards per game: 212.1 vs. Actual net passing yards: 170 (-42.1)
Average points per game: 24.38 vs. Actual points: 17 (-7.38)

Steelers Offense v. Cincinnati Defense
Average total yards per game: 389.1 vs. Actual total yards: 328 (-61.1)
Average net rushing yards per game: 110.3 vs. Actual net rushing yards: 105 (-5.3)
Average net passing yards per game: 278.8 vs. Actual net passing yards: 223 (-55.8)  

NOTE: Are we sure the Steelers won this game?  

Special Teams -- Cincinnati
Average yards per punt return: 12.2 vs. Actual yards per punt return: 10.8 (-1.4)
Average yards allowed per punt return: 6.9 vs. Actual yards allowed per punt return: 5.0 (-1.9)
Average yards per kick return: 26.5 vs. Actual yards per kick return: 23.0 (-3.5)
Average yards allowed per kick return: 24.4 vs. Actual yards allowed per kick return: 23.0 (-1.4)
Net yardage punting average: 39.5 vs. Actual net yardage punting average: 40.2 (+0.7)
Opponent net yardage punting average: 37.8 vs. Actual net yardage punting average: 41.8 (+4.0)  

Special Teams -- Steelers
Average yards per punt return: 11.3 vs. Actual yards per punt return: 5.0 (-6.3)
Average yards allowed per punt return: 4.4 vs. Actual yards allowed per punt return: 10.8 (+6.4)
Average yards per kick return: 23.0 vs. Actual yards per kick return: 28.0 (+5.0)
Average yards allowed per kick return: 25.0 vs. Actual yards allowed per kick return: 28.0 (+3.0)
Net yardage punting average: 38.8 vs. Actual net yardage punting average: 41.8 (+3.0)
Opponent net yardage punting average: 38.9 vs. Actual net yardage punting average: 40.2 (+1.3)  

NOTE: Seriously, are we sure the Steelers won this game?

Miscellaneous -- Cincinnati
Turnover differential: +3 vs. -1
Time of possession: 30:50 vs. Actual: 26:07 (-4:43)
Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): 50.0% vs. Actual: 100.0% (1 for 1)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns): 55.6% vs. Actual: 75% (3 for 4)

Miscellaneous -- Steelers
Turnover differential: -11 vs. +1
Time of possession: 32:34 vs. Actual: 33:53 (+1:19)
Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): 46.7% vs. 75.0% (3 for 4)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns): 61.9% vs. Actual: 100% (1 for 1)  

Some individual numbers
AFC passer rating: Andy Dalton, 85.0 vs. Actual: 61.8
AFC passer rating: Ben Roethlisberger, 94.1 vs. Actual: 83.5
Leading rusher: Cedric Benson, 3.9 yards per carry vs. Actual: 3.8 (-.1)
Leading rusher: Rashard Mendenhall, 3.9 yards per carry vs. Actual: 2.8 (-1.1)
Leading receivers: A.J. Green,15.0 yards per catch vs. Actual: 1 catch, 36.0 yards per catch  
NOTE:The leading receiver for Cincinnati this past Sunday was Andrew Hawkins, 5 catches, 11.2 yards per catch.
 
Leading receivers: Mike Wallace, 18.5 yards per catch vs. Actual: 6 catches, 9.0 yards per catch NOTE:The other leading receiver for Pittsburgh this past Sunday was Antonio Brown, 5 catches, 17.2 yards per catch

Steelers @ Cincinnati: The Weekly Matchup

Chastened, and having fallen from #1 in the AFC standings to #6 with the loss to Baltimore, Pittsburgh takes on a rejuvenated Cincinnati team that leads the AFC Central.  While some will be quick to point out that the Bengals record has been achieved against opponents whose collective record is 26-34, defenders of the Bengals might observe that the Steelers' opponents have combined for a record of 33-41.  Moreover, against teams whose winning percentage is better than .500, the Steelers have exactly one victory.

Here's a look at some more of this week's numbers:

Cincinnati Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cincinnati offense 22nd (316.3) v. Steelers defense 3rd (280.2 )

Average net rushing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 21st (104.1) v. Steelers defense 6th (95.6)

Average net passing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 21st (212.1) v. Steelers defense 3rd (184.7)

Average points per game: Cincinnati offense 13th (24.38) v. Steelers defense 5th (18.0)

Steelers Offense v. Cincinnati Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (389.1) v. Cincinnati defense 4th (301.3)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 19th (110.3) v. Cincinnati defense 2nd (84.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 8th (278.8) v. Cincinnati defense 10th (216.8)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 19th (21.78) v. Cincinnati defense 4th (17.5)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cincinnati 7th (12.2) v. Steelers 9th (11.3)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cincinnati 9th (6.9) v. Steelers 1st (4.4)

Average yards per kick return: Cincinnati 17th (23.0) v. Steelers 5th (26.5)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cincinnati 22nd (24.4) v. Steelers 23rd (25.0)

Net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 11th (39.5) v. Steelers 22nd (38.8)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 10th (37.8) v. Steelers 14th (38.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cincinnati 11th (+3) v. Steelers 32nd (-11)

Time of possession: Cincinnati 10th (30:50) v. Steelers 4th (32:34)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cincinnati 16th (50.0%) v. Steelers 22nd (46.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cincinnati 19th (55.6%) v. Steelers 26th (61.9%)

Sacks allowed: Cincinnati 5th (13) v. Steelers 28th (26)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Andy Dalton, 6th (85.0) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (94.1)

Leading rushers: Cedric Benson 7th (536 yards, 137 attempts, 3.9 per carry) v. Willie Parker, 11th (473 yards, 120 attempts, 3.9 per carry)

Leading receivers: A.J. Green, 6th (40 catches, 599 yards, 15.0 per catch, 5 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace, 2nd (47 catches, 868 yards, 18.5 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

Sacks:  Geno Atkins, 15th (3.5) v. LaMarr Woodley, 1st (9.0)
Note: With LaMarr Woodley likely to miss Sunday's game the Steelers' leading sack artist is James Harrison, 7th in AFC with five sacks.

Baltimore vs. Steelers: Instant Analysis, fourth quarter

The opportunities were there, and the Steelers finally put together 13:30 of good football; but the inability of the defense to get off the field on third (or fourth) down, combined with a poorly thrown pass to Mewelde Moore on third down of the Steelers' second-to-last possession cracked the door for Baltimore.

One final note:  Steelers fans everywhere please don't bother blaming the officials.  Walt Coleman and his crew simply are not responsible for this loss.  Inconsistent play, and an inability of the Pittsburgh defensive secondary to stop Baltimore on third down is.

Baltimore vs. Steelers: Instant Analysis, third quarter

The only analysis required is this:  When will Ben Roethlisberger stop making such horrible plays?

The Steelers are 15 minutes away from setting themselves up for a season-long fight for a wild card spot.

Baltimore vs. Steelers: Instant Analysis, second quarter

Third down conversions by Baltimore -- 7 for 11 in the first half -- continue to be a huge difference in the game.  While the Steelers' defense has limited the damage to four field goal attempts, they have to find a way to get off the field.  Also, missed opportunities -- two dropped interceptions one forced fumble -- are not helping matters.

As for the offense, missed opportunities are the entire story.  Unable to sustain drives (11:47 in time of possession in the first half), the defense is spending far too much time of the field.

Baltimore vs. Steelers: Instant Analysis, first quarter

Until the complete pass to Heath Miller with 2:00 left in the quarter it wasn't at all clear that the Steelers would make a first down in the quarter.  Baltimore simply dominated the stat sheet; without lighting-up the scoreboard the way they did in week one.

As it was, Baltimore had the football for 11:23 to the Steelers 3:37, and was 5 for 7 (71.4%) on third down conversions.  Meanwhile, the Steelers' first possession ended prematurely as the they were unable to gain one yard after gaining nine on their first play.  Offensively, there's more room for improvement than can be covered here and now.

On the defensive side of the ball the Steelers' line appeared to be overpursuing far too much; and it was fortunate that players like James Harrison and Troy Polamalu were doing a solid job of staying home, and limiting the gains by Ray Rice and Ricky Williams.

Baltimore vs. Steelers: The Matchups

The Steelers accomplished the improbable last week against New England; and the question now is whether or not they have what it takes to seize the opportunity they have created for themselves.

Here's a look at this week's numbers:

Baltimore Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Baltimore offense 14th (341.0) v. Steelers defense 2nd (270.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: Baltimore offense 19th (107.0) v. Steelers defense 8th (99.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Baltimore offense 15th (234.0) v. Steelers defense 1st (171.6)

Average points per game: Baltimore offense 7th (26.43) v. Steelers defense 3rd (17.38)

Steelers Offense v. Baltimore Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (388.8) v. Baltimore defense 1st (263.3)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 14th (115.4) v. Baltimore defense 3rd (89.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 7th (273.4) v. Baltimore defense 3rd (174.1)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 19th (22.0) v. Baltimore defense 2nd (15.71)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Baltimore 22nd (8.3) v. Steelers 8th (11.4)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Baltimore 11th (10.5) v. Steelers 2nd (4.6)

Average yards per kick return: Baltimore 8th (25.9) v. Steelers 6th (26.6)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Baltimore 32nd (35.0) v. Steelers 17th (23.7)

Net yardage punting average: Baltimore 15th (38.6) v. Steelers 20th (39.1)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Baltimore 14th (38.7) v. Steelers 20th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Baltimore 9th (+3) v. Steelers 32nd (-10)

Time of possession: Baltimore 15th (30:08) v. Steelers 4th (33:24)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Baltimore 28th (42.3%) v. Steelers 16th (50.0%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Baltimore 8th (43.8%) v. Steelers 26th (63.2%)

Sacks allowed: Baltimore 14th (16) v. Steelers 29th (25)

Some Individual Numbers (AFC only)
Passer rating: Joe Flacco, 14th (75.4) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 4th (95.7)

Leading rushers: Ray Rice, 6th (489 yards) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 11th (421 yards)

Leading receivers: Anquan Boldin, 7th (34 catches, 539 yards, 15.9 per catch, 2 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace, 2nd (43 catches, 800 yards, 18.6 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns)

Sack Leaders: Terrell Suggs, 3rd (6.0) v. LaMarr Woodley, 1st (9.0)