AP Pro32 comments about Steelers

NEW YORK (AP) - Comments on the Pittsburgh Steelers by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11)

Chris Berman (ESPN, 8) - Almost beat Ravens with backup quarterback Leftwich playing hurt.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 13) - Playoff hopes could rest on whether Charlie Batch can be effective.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 10) - Can still win with current quarterback situation as long as they play as well as they are on defense and run the ball.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 14) - With the quarterback situation a mess because of injuries, it'll be Mike Tomlin's greatest coaching jobs if he gets to the playoffs.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 9) - The Steelers are starting a third different quarterback in three weeks. Injuries have already cost the Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich. Now it's Charlie Batch's turn.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 12) - If I'm the Steelers, I consult Aaron Rodgers to get Discount Double Checks for my quarterbacks.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 10) - They're suddenly in full scramble mode for an AFC wild-card slot.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 10) - They almost beat the Ravens without Big Ben, but then again Leftwich struggled to complete passes. If the Steelers have to throw more than 25 times a game they are in trouble.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 9) - Big Ben is recuperating, but now down goes Byron Leftwich. It's Charlie Batch to the rescue. He's done it before and this team is resilient.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 11) - Anyone have Bubby Brister's telephone number? At the rate Pittsburgh is losing quarterbacks, the Steelers need all the help they can get.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 14) - With Ben Roethlisberger's arm in a sling, having the Bengals catch them may be a bigger concern than catching the Ravens.

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Online:

http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL