Big Ben busts a move, Peterson falters, 'Skins woes

Ben Roethlisberger ran five times for 49 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown scamper, in the Steelers' win over the Browns. Rick Stewart/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Musings, observations and the occasional insight in a Week 10 that can't possibly produce any Patriots-related controversy. Can it? Bill Belichick and his guys are on their bye week ...

• Ben Roethlisberger already has a career-high 22 touchdown passes with seven games remaining this season, but it's his running game that the Steelers have to thank for that crucial comeback win over Cleveland at Heinz Field. Who knew Big Ben could leg out a 30-yard touchdown run and still have enough wind to tack on another key 10-yard jaunt on third-and-9?

Then again, I don't blame the Browns defenders. I'm not sure I'd sacrifice my body to try and bring down Roethlisberger in the open field.

What a crushing loss for Romeo Crennel's team, which could have tied the Steelers for first place in the AFC North if it had protected its 21-6 halftime lead. But the Browns offense was almost non-existent in the second half -- no first downs in the third quarter -- when their only spark was provided by kickoff returner Joshua Cribbs.

• Cleveland opponents are opting to kick it to Cribbs at their own peril. Just like the Jets' Leon Washington last week, Cribbs belongs in that almost-as-lethal-as-Devin-Hester class or return men.

• With the Rams getting their first victory of the season, in New Orleans, the Dolphins are the only winless team standing in the way of the 1976 Bucs popping the champagne corks once again. Miami came close to winning at home against Buffalo, but the legacy of Tampa Bay's 0-14 inaugural season could be in jeopardy because these Dolphins refuse to let anyone get in the way of defeat.

Instead of Don Shula and Mercury Morris, could someone call '76 Bucs Steve Spurrier and Lee Roy Selmon this week?

• It didn't take long for the Vikings' fears about Adrian Peterson's reckless running style leading to injury to come to fruition, did it? His right knee injury at Green Bay knocked him from the game -- a Packers rout -- but here's hoping that the guy they've nicknamed A.D. (All Day) lives up to that moniker more times than not.

• All eyes were trained on Peterson's every move in Green Bay, so of course Packers first-year running back Ryan Grant stole the show, rushing for a game-high 119 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries against Minnesota's top-ranked rushing defense. Perfect. No one had rushed for 100-yard game against the Vikings this season. Peterson, by comparison, had just 45 yards on 11 carries, which was only 251 yards shy of his showing last week at home against San Diego.

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