Roethlisberger digs the deep ball

By Neal Coolong  |   Friday, October 31, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette points out an interesting stat Friday: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to be just the fifth player since the merger to throw touchdown passes of 48 yards or more in four consecutive games.

Considering the first three have all gone to wide receiver Nate Washington (48, 50 and 65), the Steelers' Monday night opponent, the Washington Redskins, is going to have to take notice of Washington and deep threat Santonio Holmes -- who will return after being deactivated last week.

The question is: Can the Steelers keep Roethlisberger upright long enough to get Washington and Holmes open deep down the field? Statistically, it looks like a better bet than it was against the New York Giants.

Commentary: While their offensive line has been shredded in the media and by most of their opponents, the Steelers handled arguably the NFL's best pass rush against the Giants in Week 8 for three quarters, before melting down in the fourth. Washington can't bring the kind of heat the Giants can up front (among the lowest in the league with 10 sacks), but it has arguably a better linebacking corps and secondary on a player-per-player basis. With the success the Steelers have had in the vertical passing game, they are going to look to get behind the secondary to help keep safety LaRon Landry out of run support.

Running back Willie Parker looks as if he will be able to play in Week 9, something he hasn't done since Week 4. If the one-two punch the Steelers will gain by his return -- Parker and Mewelde Moore -- can control the clock against a stingy Redskins defense, the offense that was heralded in Pittsburgh in the offseason may materialize into the unit many expected.

The Steelers attacked the Giants from their two-tight end set with Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth, and were also able to find some success in situations with their three-WR formation that included Washington, Hines Ward and Limas Sweed. Miller had 52 yards receiving, and was instrumental in helping the Steelers establish the run early in the game. That opened up the Roethlisberger-to-Washington connection down the field. They also had a 50-plus-yard touchdown pass called back on a penalty.

If the Steelers want to escape rowdy FedEx Field with their first win over an NFC East team this season (0-2 with losses at the Philadelphia Eagles and versus the Giants), Roethlisberger will have to continue his successful deep passing streak.

Fan Pulse: Fns posting on Steelers Fever are wondering how Pittsburgh is going to protect Roethlisberger.

Fantasy Football Impact: Washington has been one of the hottest pickups in recent weeks, and while he'll return to his third receiver role, look for the Steelers to get him in the lineup on passing downs; he'll try for his fourth consecutive game with a touchdown.

Injury Watch: Left tackle Marvel Smith missed his second consecutive practice this week, and may sit out his fourth straight game. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (turf toe) and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) have also missed two practices this week.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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