Steelers Move to 1-0 Since Adding Chad Brown

The Steelers rose from the dead with a 45-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at the Big Ketcup Bottle. Ben Roethlisberger, desperately trying to keep pace with Tyler Palko as Pittsburgh's favorite quarterback, had a perfect passer rating while throwing for 238 yards and 2 TDs. I'm glad for Ben, as I thought he was getting too much of the blame from media and fans. Regardless of the fact that he just helped the team win a Super Bowl for the first time since 1980, I think he was just one more bad start away from a visit by the dreaded "Maddox Lawn Service" crew.

The offensive line truly sets the pace of the game, while opening up holes for the running backs and setting up the pass with said efficient running attack. And a quick way to tell how well the offensive line played is by a simple glance at the rushing stats. Sure enough, the Steelers rolled up 219 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Fast William Parker contributed the never-before-done trifecta of 109 yards rushing, 2 TDs, and negative-11 yards receiving. Najeh Davenport dumped all over the Chiefs on this afternoon with 78 yards and a TD on 12 carries. And I think it's safe to say that Chris Kemoeatu played a pretty solid guard in place of Mr. Freeze.
Freeze out at O-Line

The Heinz Field turf, littered with banana peels that Dave Wannstedt had already planted for the big Pitt-Rutgers game next Saturday, proved a slippery slope for several players this afternoon. Steelers WR Santonio Holmes and Aliquippa Quips DB Ty Law were both victims of the playing surface on the same play, as Law slipped in coverage and Holmes slipped after a 50-yard catch and run.

Larry "L.J." Johnson proved that thugs can come from schools other than Miami with his hair-grabbing tackle of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. Johnson was merely acting out of frustration from letting down all those fantasy owners who drafted him #1 overall, only to see him outgained to this point by Michael Vick, Fragile Freddie Taylor, and Frank Gore.

The receiving core of the Steelers, a non-factor in the majority of the first four games, stepped up with several big plays in the win today. Hines Ward finally played in his first game since returning from an off-season trip to Korea, and his presence was felt immediately. #86 chipped in with five catches for 59 yards and one TD. Nate Washington, who I believe played college football for a Quad-A WPIAL team, reeled in his 2nd TD reception of the season to go with 68 yards receiving. And Cedrick "Don't Call Me the Entertainer" Wilson added 42 yards as he emerged from hibernation.

The Steelers, just 1.5 games out of first place in the AFC North, travel to Atlanta next Sunday. And don't forget to pack your Valtrex, because Ron Mexico will be in the house. Following that game, the Steelers face a lifeless Oakland team that features an offense run by a guy who operated a bed and breakfast at this time last year.