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PITTSBURGH -- When Ben Roethlisberger returned to the field in Baltimore on Nov. 6, just 20 days removed from surgery on his left knee, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sent a message to his offensive line: protect Roethlisberger or else.He said `we cant let him get hit, guard Ramon Foster. We need Ben standing up.Things didnt exactly go as planned. Roethlisberger took two sacks in a lethargic and rusty 21-14 loss and hit the deck once the following week while getting clipped late by Dallas in a 35-30 defeat that dropped the Steelers to 4-5. A once promising season on the brink of spiraling out of control, Pittsburgh instead switched direction midstream.The talk of averaging 30 points a game died down. The ball found its way to running back LeVeon Bells hands with borderline alarming regularity. And Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley crafted game plans that called for shorter routes, ramping up a mindset thats evolved in recent years as Roethlisberger morphed from hang in there until the last second gunslinger to decisive CEO.Roethlisberger has been sacked just twice during the four-game winning streak the Steelers (8-5) take into Cincinnati (5-7-1) on Sunday. The Steelers are second in the NFL in fewest sacks given up (18) and Roethlisberger is on pace to go down the fewest times in his 13-year career. Call it the byproduct of playing behind one of the leagues top offensive lines and some very basic math.If hes in, we win, Foster said. Keeping him protected is our No. 1 goal.One Roethlisberger takes as seriously as the guys in front of him. With Bell producing at a record-setting pace, the play calling has become far more flexible. The Steelers passed it 24 times and ran it 13 in the first half last week against Buffalo, a ratio that flipped to 26 rushes and just five passes after halftime in a 27-20 victory.Coach has definitely stressed that, simplifying it, eliminating mental errors, guard David DeCastro said. Just getting back to basics and it really worked out for us. Weve found out what works too. If the run works, stick with it and if the pass works, stick with it.The struggling Bengals dont quite pose the same threat as they have in recent years, though theres something about the Steelers that brings out an extra level of vitriol. The last time Roethlisberger took snaps at Paul Brown Stadium, he guided Pittsburgh to an emotionally charged and physically draining win in the wild card round of last seasons playoffs. Roethlisberger basically played the last drive with his right arm basically numb after being driven into the ground while getting sacked by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.The Steelers survived thanks in large part to a full-on meltdown by Cincinnati (Burfict included) in final moments. Things were relatively tame in the first meeting this season, a relatively tame 24-16 Pittsburgh win that Burfict missed while serving a suspension as penance for a variety of violations. Hell be back this time around, and Roethlisberger will be watching.You just have to know where he is, Roethlisberger said. He takes his chances as well. Hell shoot gaps and come up to try to stop the runs. And also, you saw last week or two weeks ago, he gets interceptions as well.Roethlisberger is hoping to improve on last weeks three-interception performance in Buffalo, mistakes the Steelers were able to survive rather easily thanks to Bell. Thriving when its franchise quarterback is having an off day is a luxury Pittsburgh often couldnt afford. The way Foster figures it, this simply means Roethlisberger is due for a breakout, one thats only capable so long as his No. 7 is in the huddle.For all of Bells remarkable talent, the Steelers will continue to go as Roethlisberger does.The more and more we keep him up and not looking around, the better it is for us, Foster said.Game notes Foster practiced for a second straight day after missing the Buffalo game with a chest injury. .. G Marcus Gilbert (ankle), G B.J. Finney (concussion) and NT Javon Hargrave (concussion), also practice. ... WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) and RB DeAngelo Williams (knee) did not practice.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Discount Nike Shoes . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Cheap Nike Shoes China . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. http://www.cheapnikeshoesdiscount.com/ . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Wholesale Nike Shoes . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators.Poole Pirates continued their good start to the 2016 Elite League season with a home win over Lakeside Hammers. A run of maximums for Poole in Heat 11, 12 and 13 opened up a 20-point lead with just two heats to go after a close start to the meeting. Krzysztof Buczkowski led the way for Poole scoring 13+1, with support from Brady Kurtz who notched up 10+1 while Andreas Jonsson racked up 10 for the Hammers.Poole skipper Davey Watt scored just two and he said: You dont beat a quality side, like Lakeside sure are, without being a good side yourself and thankfully for me the lads are proving that they are that, even though I am not.The win continues Pooles 100 per cent start to the season with victories in their opening two meetings of the campaign.Poole held an eight-point lead after Heat 10 as Lakeside remained in contention, but the home side pulled clear over the final five heats to secure an emphatic win.ddddddddddddThe Hammers remain top of the Elite League and coach Kelvin Tatum said: For 10 heats we were right in the meeting and we were fighting really hard, and Ive got to say that again we showed terrific resilience.It was just the three 5-1s in quick succession which put paid to it, and Poole really flexed their muscles towards the end of the meeting.The Pirates lost just one meeting at Wimborne Road last season on their way to the Elite League title.Not many teams are going to get anything from Poole if they ride like that, but I have to say I didnt quite think the scoreline did us justice in the end, Tatum said. 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