Steelers/NFL
Polamalu expected to be okay
The Pittsburgh Steelers received a scare Sunday afternoon when Troy Polamalu left the game after only one series in Pittsburgh’s 18-12 loss to Cincinnati.
Polamalu under-went an MRI on Sunday but the Steelers received good news as the MRI went well. Polamalu is expected to only be sidelined for 1-2 weeks at the most, barring a coaches decision for Polamalu to miss further games.
With the 2-7 Kansas City Chiefs on the Steelers schedule, Pittsburgh will be very cautious with Polamalu this week as he likely won’t play.
When Polamalu is out of action, the Steelers are a totally different team. There is no way around it. If Polamalu’s nagging knee injury continues to be a problem, one major concern for the Steelers is the lack of playmakers they have in their secondary.
The Steelers have zero interceptions from their cornerbacks this season and that number won’t increase much over the course of the season. Their cornerbacks aren’t making enough plays and CB William Gay and safety Ryan Clark each dropped potential INT’s in Sunday’s loss.
Without Polamalu, this is a very average group that would be exploited in any playoff matchup against New England or Indianapolis.
Even though the Steelers have a ways to go in locking up a playoff berth, their primary focus is to get Troy Polamalu healthy for the stretch run. Even if it means sitting him for more than a game or two.
Their hopes of repeating depend on him.
Holmes passes Ward in yardage
*Wide receiver Santonio Holmes led the Steelers with 88 receiving yards against the Bengals and has passed Hines Ward in receiving yards on the season. Holmes leads the Steelers with 678 yards but has not found the endzone since week 1.
Ravens face big test in the next two weeks
The Baltimore Ravens improved to 5-4 on the season after Monday night’s 16-0 win over Cleveland. The Ravens have not been impressive of late and were going to find out very soon, if the Ravens can perform at the level they did last year.
Week 11: 9-0 Indianapolis; Week 12: 6-3 Pittsburgh
Special Teams Buzz
The Pittsburgh Steelers will make at least one change on their 53 man roster as linebacker Donovan Woods will be added to the roster this week. Woods is currently on the practice squad and will get a role on special teams.
Brett Keisel and James Harrison may also get back on special teams. Keisel has been pushing for it.
