Big Ben finds out that his helmet is too small
(Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:20:21 PST)
Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a swollen head, an issue that has troubled many NFL quarterbacks. Only this time, it's not the result of too many commercial endorsements, a big contract or too much fan praise. When the Steelers quarterback resumed practicing this week, he realized his helmet didn't fit right.

The Disrespect Card: How every team left in the playoffs has been callously disrespected by everyone and their mothers
(Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:11:18 PST)
You know what I've found strange about every team in sports that's won a championship since around 2001?

Pittsburgh Steelers need to stick to their strengths
(Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:29:28 PST)
When the San Diego Chargers visited the Pittsburgh Steelers in November, a bizarre finish that didn't affect...

Eight questions: Chargers aren't short on speed
(Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:45:00 PST)
Chargers RB and returner Darren Sproles is giving defenses fits with his speed and (lack of) size.

Steelers' defense best, but offense is No. 1 worry
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:03:54 PST)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are committing the most turnovers of any team left in the NFL playoffs, are getting sacked more often and scoring the fewest points. As good as their No. 1-ranked defense is, the offense is an ongoing worry to coach Mike Tomlin as the Steelers prepare to play the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff game Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and graceful enough to bowl
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:41:24 PST)
The description on YouTube says that this video is of Ben Roethlisberger biting it while bowling, just days...

Natural grass kept Roethlisberger injury from being worse
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:00:47 PST)
That artificial turf the Pittsburgh Steelers never installed at Heinz Field might have saved them a franchise...

Steelers Team Report
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:21 PST)

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed his final post-concussion test Monday morning, practiced Monday afternoon and said he will play on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers open the playoffs against the San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.

"I plan on being out there 100 percent ready to go," he said.

Roethlisberger left the Dec. 28 game against Cleveland just before the half on a stretcher with a concussion. Speaking publicly Monday for the first time since then, he called the hit "scary" and said both of his arms went numb.

"I mean, when you can't feel your arms you get kind of scared," Roethlisberger said. "They pricked me with a pin and I couldn't feel it. When you see the doctor look at the trainer with that look, it kind of scares you a little bit."

He...

Chargers, Steelers in rematch of bizarre game
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:47:11 PST)
The finish to the Chargers-Steelers game was strange enough, with the first 11-10 score in NFL history and Troy Polamalu stripped of a last-play defensive touchdown by an officiating error. This may be even stranger: The Chargers, 4-8 with a month left in the season, are returning to Pittsburgh for a rematch in an AFC divisional playoff game Sunday.

Steelers QB Roethlisberger practices; to start Sunday
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:54:01 PST)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered a concussion in the regular-season finale, returned to practice Monday and is expected to start this weekend's AFC divisional playoff game against San Diego.

Why is the worst divisional playoff matchup on in primetime?
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:41:03 PST)
Of the four divisional playoff games this weekend, the Arizona Cardinals - Carolina Panthers matchup is easily...

And now, all the home teams are favored
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:51:14 PST)
After a wild card weekend in which all the home teams were underdogs (and went 2-2), we'll head into divisional...

'Hot and healthy' flies out the playoff window
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:51:00 PST)
The Cardinals and Chargers proved that regular-season marks and what we think we know can be irrelevant.

Cowher says he won't coach in '09, staying at CBS
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:28:23 PST)
Bill Cowher doesn't plan to coach in the NFL next year, and will stay with CBS Sports as a studio analyst. Cowher was recently wooed by the New York Jets, but said during "The NFL Today" on Sunday that he's taking it "year to year." "It's a privilege and an honor to be a head coach in the National Football League," Cowher said.

Steelers revere LeBeau, the coach they call Dad
(Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:00:55 PST)
NFL players make headlines for cursing a coach. Criticizing a coach. Calling out a coach. Demanding that a coach be fired. Loving a coach? Now that's a new one -- except in Pittsburgh, where Steelers players have long talked of their respect, admiration and, yes, love for defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Bye bye? Playoff bye not always good for Steelers
(Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:04:29 PST)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting where every NFL team wants to be this weekend, at home with a short path to the Super Bowl awaiting them. The problem: This is a road the Steelers frequently travel, but with little success. This is the seventh time in 16 years the Steelers have been first- or second-seeded with a bye in the AFC playoffs, and not once has the bye translated into a Super Bowl...

Run-down Steelers likely to rely on passing
(Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:38:56 PST)
If the playoffs are here, Bruce Arians knows what people in Pittsburgh are thinking. It's time for the Steelers' old reliables, a smothering defense and a pound-it-out running game. Just like the good old days of the 1970s, when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six seasons. Arians, the Steelers' offensive coordinator, wonders if it's not time for some new thinking.

12 Questions: Tomlinson's redemption shot
(Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:56:00 PST)
The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson gets a chance to prove he hasn't lost a step – but he isn't healthy.

Ben (Ben) headache? Steelers awaiting QB's return
(Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:38:03 PST)
Big Ben's headache apparently isn't a big worry to his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. Ben Roethlisberger was on the practice field Tuesday, two days after sustaining his third concussion in as many years, but didn't take any snaps or throw any passes. He probably won't until he passes the tests the Steelers require of players who have undergone a concussion.

AFC Playoff Primer: All six teams have a shot
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:36:53 PST)
There is no perfect team going into this year's AFC playoffs. The six teams that did make the AFC postseason field all have the potential to make it to Tampa.

Big Ben not hospitalized following concussion
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:14:55 PST)
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not stay in a hospital overnight after receiving a concussion Sunday against Cleveland, but it was uncertain if he will practice this week. Roethlisberger lay on the ground for nearly 15 minutes after being leveled by two Browns defenders and was strapped to a stretcher as he was carried off the field.

Playoffs await dominating Steelers defense
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:06:27 PST)
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense wasn't only the NFL's best this season, it was one of the best statistically in league history. A scant 55 yards prevented the Steelers from accomplishing something no defense has done since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. If Cleveland's Jamal Lewis hadn't rushed for 94 yards during Pittsburgh's meaningless 31-0 victory Sunday, the Steelers might have become the first team...

Vegas odds favor Giants, Titans to make Super Bowl
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:04:50 PST)
Las Vegas sports books favor the New York Giants over the 11 other teams in the NFL playoffs to win the Super Bowl, giving 2-to-1 odds on the NFC's No. 1 seed to repeat as champions. The Tennessee Titans are the favorite among AFC teams to win a title at 4-1, closely followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers at 9-2.

Cleveland fires GM Phil Savage
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:28:58 PST)
The Phil Savage era as Browns general manager is over, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

Jets owner needs to make Cowher an offer he can't refuse
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:02:19 PST)
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson should spend the next few days trying to entice former Pittsburgh Steelers...

AFC playoffs: Hottest team? Most impact?
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:19:00 PST)
Answers to these questions and more will likely determine which team will represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLIII.