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After routing the Kansas City Chiefs in a stunning 45-7 victory, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) snapped a 3 game losing streak and will now visit the vexed Atlanta Falcons (3-2) after hosting the Giants to a 14-27 loss. Michael Vick’s flashy on the go tossing and running game will be challenged by a more static yet lethal Pittsburgh passing game with a wide arsenal of receivers downfield.

Michael Vick with a 50.4% passing average (676 passing yard 3TDs 3 Interceptions) rushed in a 22 yard touch down but was sacked for a career high 7 times while Warrick Dunn 4th in the league in rushing yards with 511 yards and 4 receptions for 22 yards total ran a franchise record 90 yard sprint, in spite of this, all efforts remained futile and the Atlanta Falcons took a loss on Sunday to the visiting New York Giants.

Meanwhile Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (16/19 238 yards) held an outstanding 84% passing average and helped his team win by throwing a 47 yard TD pass to Nate Washington (12 receptions 185 yards 2 TDs) in the 1st quarter and then a 13 yard pass in the 2nd to Hines Ward (18 receptions 207 yards 2 TDs) to broaden the gap in their pouncing of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Both teams are third in their divisions and require a win to keep the momentum going in their favor and the quarterback match up will be interesting. Michael Vick’s talent for rushing with an average 8.7 yards per carry will have to be pushed to the limit and will be  a great factor in a possible win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael Vick will definitely require major assistance from Alge Crumpler (16 rec. 194 yards 1 TD) and Michael Jenkins (13 rec. 172 yards 1 TD). The Pittsburgh Steelers on the other hand have overwhelming manpower in this regard and Big Ben will have receivers of the likes of Nate Washington, Hines Ward, Heath Miller (10 rec. 184 yards 1 TD), Cedrick Wilson (9 rec. 144 yards), Santonio Holmes (9 rec. 131 yards) and Verron Haynes (15 rec. 78 yards).

Rushing for the win

Although the fourth in the league in rushing Atlanta Falcon Warrick Dunn boasts a 511 yard record in 96 carries up to now; he’s only been allowed a touchdown in five games. This accompanied by the fact that quarterback Michael Vick (401 yards 2 TDs) is the second overall on the team would slightly indicate that the Pittsburgh Steelers have an edge in this department. A faster, stronger, bigger Willie Parker with 434 yards in 106 carries has pounded in 5 TDs and is backed up by Najeh Davenport with 78 yards in 14 carries with one TD and with a versatile Verron Haynes with 67 yards with 14 carries for a nice average of 4.8 yards a carry.

Defense seals the deal

With a bigger and stronger defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers have an option to lock the game up by not permitting the Atlanta Falcons to reach to their running game and thus block all Michael Vick’s rushing efforts. Pittsburgh’s James Farrior (27 tackles, 7 assts. 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery), Troy Polamalu (26 tackles, 7 assts. 2 interceptions), Ike Taylor (25 tackles, 6 assts. 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery) and Ryan Clarke (20 tackles, 10 assts.) will be assisted by the likes of Larry Foote and Clark Haggans with 3 sacks a piece. They will most likely miss strongman Joey Porter (hamstring)  (12 tackles, 4 assts.) who’s one interception he ran back for a touchdown.

Atlanta’s Demorrio Williams (32 tackles, 9 assts.), Keith Brooking (28 tackles, 7 assts.) and Lawyer Milloy (29 tackles, 4 assts.) will be aided by Michael Boley (24 tackles, 4 assts. 1 sack) and by Patrick Kerney’s team leading 4 sacks.

The line has opened at Pittsburgh Steelers -2½ with a 37 total, which we consider should close at -3 with a road favorite who will cover and total to go over amidst a game of rushing versus passing.  

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