Week 8, Steelers host defending Champs, the NY Giants

Steelers keep it up, as predicted here – the Bengals game would be a cake walk & it was.

As they go on to defeat the Bungles 38-10. Unfortunately for the men of Steel, star RB Willie Parker will not play this week against the defending Champs – the New York Giants.

Week 8 opponent will not be a push over like the Bengals were. Giants come in with identical record as the Steelers, 5-1 & like the Steelers lead their division AFC East. Giants are loaded on offense, with QB Eli Manning, RB Brandon Jacobs & his backup Derrick Ward, ex Steeler great Plaxico Burress & coming along USC Trojans great Steve Smith. Unlike the Bengals, the G-men are very balanced & are running on all cylinders & can really pound the ball on the ground. This will be a true litmus test for the Steelers & see how good they really are. Tire meets the road, as Steelers Defense leads the league in yards per game & passing yards, & is second in rushing yards. Giants rank #2 in total Offense yards & #1 in rushing yards – something has to give here.

With Willie Parker out, the Steelers will continue to rely on veteran Mewelde Moore who has hasn’t disappointed & actually has surprised many as he’s played rather well in Willie’s absence. Moore has had back to back good games, 98 rush yards vs. Ravens & 120 vs. Bengals – hope he can keep it going & get near 100 yards vs. the Giants. This will allow the Defense to play honest & not heavily rush every down, allowing QB Big Ben Roethlisberger to stay standing & not get killed. If Big Ben can stay standing quite a bit & have enough time to look for his receivers, he can make the Giants pay. Passing game will be directed a lot towards Hines Ward as speedster Santonio Holmes has been deactivated for the game. Texas Longhorns great wide out Limas Sweed finally caught a pass as a Pro, 11 yard reception against the Bengals – hopefully he can keep improving & raise his game to where he can contribute more.

(Left) NY Giants star QB Eli Manning, (Below) Steeler Big Ben (both are in their 5th year of pro football & each has 1 Super bowl ring).

Both offenses should score in the 20’s & it’ll be a battle of 1^st round picks from the same draft, QB’s Eli vs. Big Ben. Both QB’s are performing at a high level, Big Ben 98.1 QB rating with 9 TD’s, 3 Int’s for 1,163 yards. Ely is at 89.1 QB rating, 8 TD’s, 4 Int’s for 1,389 yards. Boy this should be game of the week & possibly a preview of the 2 teams facing each other in the Super Bowl at the end of the year.  Steelers prevail, & go to 6 - 1 for the year.