Monday Night Matchup
Week 9...
Washington Redskins
@
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Battle in Steel-Town!
The Week 9 Monday Night Matchup has all the makings of two perennial powerhouses meeting in an epic battle on the Monday night stage. The Steelers bring in one of the leagues fiercest run defenses allowing only 71 yards on the ground to face the NFL's leading rushers in Clinton Portis (944 yards rushing), something will have to give.
The Redskins have turned many heads this season with their quick turnaround from the week 1 loss to the Giants, where they looked like a team with many questions. Over the past eight weeks, it looks like this team has found many answers. The Redskins are led by the running game, anchored by the legs of RB Clinton Portis, but the offense is ran by their mistake free QB Jason Campbell. In 8 games this season, Campbell has thrown 230 passes without an interception and he has only lost one fumble. The offense is filled with playmakers like WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley who will create a lot of problems for their opponents. While the offense makes few errors, they do a great job executing and tonight's matchup this will be at a premium. The defense has done it's job as well stuffing the run (ranked 6th) and creating big plays with 8 forced turnovers.
The Steelers have been a bit banged up but will see the return of RB Fast Willie Parker tonight. While Parker is expected to split time with MeWelde Moore, the Steelers will rely on their running game to set up the long ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger has one of the leagues strongest arms, but will need optimum protection to air it out. With WR Santonio Holmes making his return back to the line up and the sudden rise of WR Nate Washington, the Steelers will use a mix of the run and the deep ball to put up points. Just like all Steeler teams, the 2008 version is no different with a punishing defense that brings the pressure. This season the Steel Curtain's number one ranked overall defense has recorded 25 sacks and not allowed a single run over 15 yards this season. The defense is anchored by LB James Harrison and LB Lamarr Woodley with 8 sacks each.
Sunday's Game Notes:
The Week 9 Monday Night Matchup has all the makings of two perennial powerhouses meeting in an epic battle on the Monday night stage. The Steelers bring in one of the leagues fiercest run defenses allowing only 71 yards on the ground to face the NFL's leading rushers in Clinton Portis (944 yards rushing), something will have to give.
The Redskins have turned many heads this season with their quick turnaround from the week 1 loss to the Giants, where they looked like a team with many questions. Over the past eight weeks, it looks like this team has found many answers. The Redskins are led by the running game, anchored by the legs of RB Clinton Portis, but the offense is ran by their mistake free QB Jason Campbell. In 8 games this season, Campbell has thrown 230 passes without an interception and he has only lost one fumble. The offense is filled with playmakers like WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley who will create a lot of problems for their opponents. While the offense makes few errors, they do a great job executing and tonight's matchup this will be at a premium. The defense has done it's job as well stuffing the run (ranked 6th) and creating big plays with 8 forced turnovers.
The Steelers have been a bit banged up but will see the return of RB Fast Willie Parker tonight. While Parker is expected to split time with MeWelde Moore, the Steelers will rely on their running game to set up the long ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger has one of the leagues strongest arms, but will need optimum protection to air it out. With WR Santonio Holmes making his return back to the line up and the sudden rise of WR Nate Washington, the Steelers will use a mix of the run and the deep ball to put up points. Just like all Steeler teams, the 2008 version is no different with a punishing defense that brings the pressure. This season the Steel Curtain's number one ranked overall defense has recorded 25 sacks and not allowed a single run over 15 yards this season. The defense is anchored by LB James Harrison and LB Lamarr Woodley with 8 sacks each.
Sunday's Game Notes:
- Washington: The Redskins are ranked 3rd in rushing this season, with Clinton Portis leading all rushers with 944 yards. Quarterback Jason Campbell has 8 touchdowns this season with no interceptions. The team's leading receiver is Santana Moss with 42 receptions and 658 yards. The Redskins defense has only recorded 10 sacks this season, but only allow 3.8 yards per carry. Key Injuries: RB Ladell Betts (knee), CB Shawn Springs (calf), DL Jason Taylor (calf) are OUT, WR Santana Moss (hamstring), OT Chris Samuels, (knee), CB Carlos Rogers (calf) are questionable, RB Clinton Portis (ankle), CB Fred Smoot (groin), and LB Marcus Washington (hip) are probable.
- Pittsburgh: The Steelers have the overall number one ranked defense. They are only allowing 71 yards on the ground and 160 yards in the air. The defense has 25 sacks and 12 turnovers. Roethlisberger has been sacked 23 times this season, among the highest in the league. Willie Parker has 263 yards rushing this season with a 4.0 yards/carry average. WR Hines Ward leads the team with 5 touchdowns. Key Injuries: CB Bryant McFadden (forearm) is OUT, S Troy Polamalu, RB Willie Parker (knee), and QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) are probable.
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