STEELERS' PASSING GAME FARING QUITE WELL

Now here's a sight you don't see every day - Steelers leading the league in passing and receiving yards. And not only is Hines Ward #1 in that category, but Santonio Holmes joins him in the top 10 at #8.

Not to be a killjoy, but Ben does have a game on Peyton Manning, who holds the slight lead in yards per game (329.0-314.5). But 314.5? For a Steeler QB? I thought I'd never see the day. He's on pace for an unheard of 5,032 yards for the season. Just for a little perspective, his career high is 3,513 yards, in 2006. And Terry Bradshaw's best was 3,724, in 1979. How about 2002, when Tommy Maddox was throwing the ball all over the yard? He finished with 3,414. So as you can see, we're (or should I say, Ben) is headed for uncharted territory here. Maybe this will be the year that Roethlisberger finally gets some consideration for the MVP.

And how about #86? Not only is he leading the league in yards, but he's tied for the league lead in catches (41) with the Giants' Steve Smith. Ward's also grabbing 99.8 yards per game, which puts him on a 1,600 yard pace. That would shatter his career-high of 1,329 in 2002.

The third head of the pass-catching monster, Heath Miller, also is among the league leaders with 34 catches, 8th among all players and just one behind Indy's Dallas Clark for the league lead among tight ends. Speaking of overdue accolades, maybe this is the year Miller finally gets that invitation to the Pro Bowl.

Combine those numbers with the Pitt Panthers, who feature the nation's #2 rusher (Dion Lewis), #8 passer (Bill Stull) and the nation's co-leader in receiving touchdowns (Dorin Dickerson), and we're being treated to some Zambelli-quality offensive fireworks each weekend here in Pittsburgh. And I like it. Especially because these teams are both winning, which is the most important stat of all.

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