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StumbleuponBanged-up Bengals face NFL's No. 1 defense
Thursday, November 20, 2008
PITTSBURGH — As badly as the Cincinnati Bengals would like to play the spoiler's role and upset Pittsburgh, survival is a more realistic goal because they barely have enough healthy bodies to send out onto Heinz Field against the Steelers tonight, Nov. 20.
A hospital "ER" has nothing on the Bengals locker room as five starters are among nine players listed as "out."
In addition to quarterback Carson Palmer (right elbow) — who will miss his seventh game of the season and sixth straight — left tackle Levi Jones (back), left guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle), strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe (foot) and defensive end Antwan Odom (shoulder) are out.
Fresh faces
The biggest concern is the left side of the offensive line, where two new starters will face the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense.
Rookie left tackle Anthony Collins will start in place of Jones. Veteran backup Scott Kooistra was the expected replacement for Whitworth, but Kooistra is out with a knee injury.
The next man up at left guard is either Nate Livings, who was promoted this week off the practice squad, or Andrew Crummey, the Van Wert native who was signed off the Washington Redskins practice squad Oct. 21.
"It's a challenge for our guys up front, across the board," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "It's important that we do a better job in protection than what we did here (Cincinnati) in the earlier game, and give our quarterback an opportunity, and let the (receivers) down the field work. So everybody's got to be on point."
Blitz 'Fitz'
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked seven times in the Steelers' 38-10 victory at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 19.
"It's a gut check for us," Fitzpatrick said about the short work week. "We know it's going to be a physical game and we're looking to pound the ball on them."
Fired up
Strong safety Chris Crocker, who will start in place of Ndukwe, likes the feel of "Steelers Week" and vows the Bengals won't be intimidated.
"Hey, we're a good team, regardless of the record," said Crocker, who had an interception and sack against Philadelphia. "In the secondary, we talk about being very aggressive and going after the ball. At this stage of the season, we have nothing to lose."
Wounded warriors
Starter/Replacement
QB Carson Palmer (elbow)/Ryan Fitzpatrick
LT Levi Jones (back)/Anthony Collins
LG Andrew Whitworth (ankle)/Nate Livings
S Chinedum Ndukwe (foot)/Chris Crocker
DE Antwan Odom (shoulder)/Frostee Rucker
Tonight's game
Who: Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
When: 8:15 p.m.
TV: WLW-T, Channel 5, Cincinnati; NFL Network
Radio: WLW-AM (700), WTUE-FM (104.7)
