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Steelers faces another NFC East powerhouse

Nov 2, 2008 - 2:02 PM PITTSBURGH (5-2) AT WASHINGTON (6-2), 8:35 pm EST

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are lucky they don't play in the NFC East.

The Steelers will get another taste of the toughest division in the NFL on Monday night when they visit the Washington Redskins.

Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted four times and sacked on five occasions as Pittsburgh lost to the NFC East-leading New York Giants, 21-14, last Sunday. Roethlisberger passed for 189 yards and one touchdown in the loss.

The Steelers' only other loss this season also came against an NFC East opponent when they suffered a 15-6 setback to the cross-state rival Philadelphia Eagles on September 21.

The Redskins, who have won six of their last seven contests, provide another tough test for Pittsburgh. Washington will counter the Steelers' top-ranked defense with Clinton Portis, the NFL's leading rusher.

Clinton Portis has a commanding lead of the league's rushing lead, gaining 944 yards and seven touchdowns on 187 carries this season. He holds a 260-yard edge over Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

Portis rushed for 126 yards and Santana Moss score a pair of touchdowns - one receiving, one punt return - as Washington pulled out a 25-17 triumph over the Detroit Lions last Sunday.

Pittsburgh will not make it easy on Portis, who has five consecutive 100-yard rushing performances.

The Steelers have allowed just 71.6 yards per game and have not surrendered more than 63 yards to an opposing running back this season.