Morris - coaches the improving Tampa Bay.
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By David John
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Pittsburgh came unstuck last week in their battle for AFC North supremacy against Cincinnati and they no longer hold pole position in the division.
They are now a game behind the Bengals plus they have lost both encounters this season against their Ohio rivals so would miss out in any tiebreak situation.
Their offence stuttered along at Heinz Field and only had four field goals to show in an 18-12 reverse.
But quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his team-mates get the pefect chance for a shot in the arm when they travel to Kansas City on Sunday.
Arrowhead Stadium used to be a fearsome place to visit.
Not anymore.
The Chiefs are 1-8 this season (0-4 at home) and are bidding to win back-to-back games - for the first time more than two years!
Last week's success at an equally appalling Oakland might have done some good for rookie head coach Todd Haley and his team but tackling the reigning Super Bowl champions in a bad mood is a whole different ball game, so to speak.
Head coach Mike Tomlin does have a few issues to mull over in practice this week.
He looks likely to be without Troy Polamalu at safety again after he injured his knee while the performance of his special teams has seen them give up a kick return for a touchdown in three of the last four games.
But Tomlin is not one to let the grass grow under his feet and special attention will be paid in that area for sure.
As mentioned, his offence should get a kick-start as the Chiefs have allowed an average of 443.3 yards and 30 points in losing their last three on their own patch.
It took them until last week to score a rushing touchdown while number one receiver Dwayne Bowe has been stung with a four-match ban for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
That could have a rallying effect as his team-mates try to step up and fill the void.
More likely, it will still see them languishing in the bottom three in total offence come Monday morning.
They get 9.5 points on the handicap and the conclusion is that will not be enough.
Followers of the Bettingzone's pre-season advice will be on New Orleans at decent odds for Super Bowl XLIV but the current 7/2 market leaders have looked a bit shaky in recent weeks.
Offensive turnovers and defensive injuries have made things tough for Sean Payton's side but they remain unbeaten to their credit and will bid to set a franchise record in Tampa Bay with their longest ever winning streak.
The Bucs looked pretty woeful in the early weeks of the season but another rookie head coach in Raheem Morris at last seems to have things going in the right direction.
They pulled off a shock win over Green Bay and were then just edged out in the Florida derby against Miami.
Morris has his fingers crossed he might have found a quarterback in first-season player Josh Freeman, who drew high praise from veteran Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor, who predicted a big future for the Kansas State prospect.
"This team is starting to get stronger," Morris observed and getting 11.5 points with Hills makes them of interest considering as well the Bucs seem to make a game of it against the visitors in recent encounters.
They have won seven of the last 11 and only one of the Saints last 10 wins over their NFC South rivals has been decided by a touchdown or more.
It looks like being closer than expected at Raymond James Stadium.
Preview posted at 2110GMT on 19/11/2009.
