Time to Panic in the Steel City?

Byron Leftwich going down vs the Ravens

The Steelers are normally the face of the AFC North and challenge the Baltimore Ravens for the division title. This year the Steelers are in a world of trouble. The Steelers sit at 6-4, which if the playoffs were to begin now, they would be the sixth and final seed in the AFC North. One problem. The Bengals are only a game behind Pittsburgh, and the Steelers injury list is filled with key pieces to their team.

The biggest injuries being the injuries to star safety Troy Polamalu and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Without Ben, back up Byron Leftwich took Roethlisberger's starting postion going into their game against Baltimore last week. Leftwich looked great often, taking the Steelers straight down the field in their ugly "bumble bee" throwback uniforms for a touchdown.  Leftwich showed inability to make certain throws in the game and took a beating from the Ravens defense. He suffered two broken ribs and an injured shoulder in the 13-10 loss.

Here was Leftwich's 31 yard rushing touchdown against the Ravens.

The biggest problem for the Steelers is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are sitting at 5-5, one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North. The Steelers currently hold the tie breaker defeating the Bengals 24-17 on Sunday Night Football earlier this season.


The Bengals have a very easy schedule remaining this season, as they will face the Raiders, Chargers, Cowboys, and Eagles, who are all under .500. The big games will be the final two as the Bengals face the Steelers in Pittsburgh, and finish with a game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers will be without Roethlisberger for 3-6 weeks, and with Leftwich out the Steelers will have to look to back up Charlie Batch to lead the team.




Credits:

Byron Leftwich Picture:
http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/19/3668310/byron-leftwich-injury-steelers-charlie-batch

Stats and Information from:
http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/19/3668310/byron-leftwich-injury-steelers-charlie-batch

http://espn.go.com/nfl/

Video from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7f2ujvKRY&feature=player_embedded