Couple quick things before the bye week by Jerry Micco

 The Steelers are heading into the bye week at 4-1 and have to be pretty stoked to have that record with all the injuries.

Maybe it's time to do a bit of crystal ball gazing at the rest of the season. Besides, it's really fun to do that when you don't have any Steelers football to satisfy your appetite over the weekend.

Oct. 19, at the Bengals: They'll be as healthy as they've been in weeks. And it is the Bengals.

Oct. 26, Giants at Heinz: It's the SB winners and they look mighty tough. Should be a terrific game if the Steelers defense can shut down the Gints running game and make them rely on Eli Manning. Yeah, he's good, but I'd still rather have to deal with him than a team that can crush you with the run.

Nov. 3, at the Redskins: The night before the presidential election, the Steelers are in Washington. I don't know if I believe in the Redskins, but they will be tough at home. Monday night game.

Nov. 9, Colts at Heinz: Not nearly as formidable as in the past. Remember wide right?

Nov. 16, Chargers at Heinz: At some point, the Chargers are going to get good. The Steelers hope that isn't Nov. 16 at Heinz Field.

Nov. 20, Bengals at Heinz: OK, it's the Bengals again. Thursday night NFL Network game.

Nov. 30, at the Patriots: The Steelers would love to steal one here, but it's always tough in New England, even without Tom Brady. Could be one of the most entertaining games of the year.

Dec. 7, Cowboys at Heinz: How 'bout them Cowboys? How 'bout that T.O? How 'bout an important win to start off December?

Dec. 14, at the Ravens: Physically, this game should be as brutal as the first. A real "trap" game between the Cowboys and the next opponent ...

Dec. 21, at the Titans: They won't be undefeated by this point, but that defense is as tough as any in the league. And a late December road game is always tricky. This will be a tough one.

Dec. 28, Browns at Heinz: I'm thinking the Browns may be improved by season's end and this could be a shot at the playoffs for them. But that mastery the Steelers have over them should stay intact.

Just some random thoughts. What about you? When you gaze into the crystal ball how do you see the above matchups?

I wanted to alert all of you to a really good Hines Ward piece by Steelers reporter Ed Bouchette in Sunday's paper. I think you'll enoy it.

Have a great weekend, even if it is Steelerless.