Bengals-Steelers Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Bengals-Steelers

SCOUTING REPORT

Bengals-Steelers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Bengals-Steelers matchup. 1. Cincinnati needs to challenge the Steelers in the trenches: This will clearly be a physical test of wills with first place in the division at stake. The Steelers are coming off an impressive road victory and will want to avenge an early season loss to the Bengals. Look for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis to take a "man up" approach to this contest with a challenge to his linemen on both sides of the ball.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
CIN	7-2	198	147	3-2	4-0	5-0	5-2
PIT	6-3	207	157	4-1	2-2	1-2	4-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Cincinnati Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Palmer 61.4 2010 14 7

Pittsburgh Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Roethl... 67.9 2469 14 8 Moore 100.0 6 1 0

Cincinnati Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Benson 205 859 4.2 6 Scott 29 95 3.3 0

Pittsburgh Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Menden... 113 609 5.4 4 Parker 61 194 3.2 0

Cincinnati Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Ochoci... 46 668 14.5 5 Caldwe... 33 295 8.9 3

Pittsburgh Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Holmes 43 678 15.8 1 Ward 53 670 12.6 4

Full Player Stats: Cincinnati | Pittsburgh

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	CIN	334.0
	PIT	365.0
Yards Passing	CIN	211.9
	PIT	253.3
Yards Rushing	CIN	122.3
	PIT	111.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	CIN	314.4
	PIT	277.4
Pass Yds Allowed	CIN	231.0
	PIT	208.1
Rush Yds Allowed	CIN	83.4
	PIT	69.3

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Pittsburgh leads 13-6
Sep 27, 2009	CIN 23, @PIT 20
Nov 20, 2008	CIN 10, PIT 27
Oct 19, 2008	CIN 10, @PIT 38
Dec 2, 2007	CIN 10, PIT 24
Oct 28, 2007	CIN 13, @PIT 24
Dec 31, 2006	CIN 17, @PIT 23
Sep 24, 2006	CIN 28, PIT 20
Jan 8, 2006	CIN 17, @PIT 31
Dec 4, 2005	CIN 38, PIT 31
Oct 23, 2005	CIN 13, @PIT 27
Nov 21, 2004	CIN 14, @PIT 19
Oct 3, 2004	CIN 17, PIT 28
Nov 30, 2003	CIN 24, PIT 20
Sep 21, 2003	CIN 10, @PIT 17
Nov 24, 2002	CIN 21, PIT 29
Oct 13, 2002	CIN 7, @PIT 34
Dec 30, 2001	CIN 26, @PIT 23
Oct 7, 2001	CIN 7, PIT 16

A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this season put the Cincinnati Bengals on the national radar as legitimate playoff contenders. Another victory over the defending Super Bowl champs will put them in the driver's seat to win the AFC North for the first time in four years.

The Bengals look to sweep the regular-season series over the Steelers for the first time in more than a decade when they visit Heinz Field on Sunday.

Cincinnati has won six of seven, including a 23-20 upset of Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 on a touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds remaining. The Steelers haven't lost since their visit to Cincinnati, and are tied with the Bengals for the division lead with 6-2 records.

While a Bengals win this weekend would give them a sweep of the season series for the first time since 1998, and put them in control of the North, Palmer tried to keep this matchup in perspective.

"It's a game," he said. "We're not going to look too far ahead of who's on the schedule, who's left, worry about playoff implications, worry about home-field advantage. We don't need to be thinking about any of those things. ... They're in a must-win situation. We feel we're in a must-win situation."

Pittsburgh has regrouped by winning five in a row since that loss -- aided by the return of Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who missed the earlier matchup with the Bengals due to a knee injury. The Steelers are 4-0 this season with Polamalu, including a 28-10 win at Denver on Monday night in which he intercepted his third pass.

"To me he's one of the best players in the game, and when you add that guy you're only going to get better," Palmer said.

Palmer and the Bengals are looking to improve to 5-0 against division rivals after beating Baltimore 17-7 last Sunday. Palmer threw for 224 yards and one touchdown while Cedric Benson recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 117 yards and a score on 21 carries.

The defense, meanwhile, gave up a season-low 215 yards total offense.

"Today was a statement game," said receiver Chad Ochocinco, who caught five passes for 66 yards in his fourth straight game with at least five receptions. "I want every game to be a statement game."

Benson is making a loud statement that he's become one of the game's top running backs. After rushing for 747 yards and two touchdowns last season, Benson is one of only two backs -- along with Tennessee's Chris Johnson -- to average more than 100 yards per game in 2009. Benson has scored in each of the last four games, averaging 117.5 yards in that span.

"We used to be an air-it-out, explosive offense, and when you play in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore and Cincinnati, you get to those December games and you can't throw the ball 40 times," Palmer said. "You have to be able to run the ball. We are at a good point now."

Pittsburgh is coming off a short week following the victory in Denver, where the Steelers scored the game's final 21 points after trailing 10-7 in the third quarter. Ben Roethlisberger threw three TD passes, two of them to Hines Ward.

Strong defense made Roethlisberger's heroics possible. The Steelers picked off Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton three times -- two of the interceptions by safety Tyrone Carter.

"We have guys that are designed to be great," coach Mike Tomlin said of his defensive unit, which has forced nine turnovers in three games since Polamalu's return. "They play hard every time they come out, regardless of their opponent or story line if you will. Those guys are committed to being great every time they step in the stadium."

The Steelers defense will be seeking redemption for its last performance against the Bengals. They failed to record a takeaway in that contest, and allowed 100 rushing yards for one of only two times this season.

Pittsburgh had won the previous five games in the series against Cincinnati, including a 27-10 home victory last season.

Steelers' Polamalu (knee) won't play vs. Chiefs

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu did not practice all week because of a left knee injury and will not play Sunday in Kansas City. He may miss the Nov. 29 game at Baltimore as well.

Barrios: Why GLAAD took action about Larry Johnson

The president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation outlines the danger in anti-gay comments such as the ones made recently by running back Larry Johnson.

Ravens' Edwards plans appeal of roughness fine

Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans to appeal the $5,000 fine he received for a hit delivered to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs on Monday night.

Roethlisberger takes blame for Steelers loss

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger says the Steelers' biggest loss of the season, to Cincy 18-12, was his fault, and his alone.

Chad Ochocinco: I will be at Bengals minicamp

Besides warmer weather, what is another sure sign that Bengals minicamp is drawing closer? Talk about a wide receiver not at the team?s OTAs starts to dominate the conversation.

Palmer: We still need Chad

Carson Palmer has always been about loyalty, which is why during the past two weeks he has talked about the progress of the receivers who are participating in the Bengals offseason program.

Bengals' Hall pleads guilty to reduced charge in DUI case

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in his drunken-driving case Monday, allowing him to avoid jail time.

Odom: I know I have to play better

You would expect when someone adds 28 pounds, that it would slow a player. Not in the case of Antwan Odom.

Bengals counting heavily on Henry

This time last year, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was entering a dark period of his NFL career.

Ward helping out young receivers

Wide receiver Hines Ward watched the play unfold in the Steelers indoor practice facility during OTA's and then walked over to first-year running back Stefan Logan and shared a little bit of advice.

Steelers' rookie tries to overcome obstacle

Mike Tomlin knows a thing or two about motivating players. So it probably shouldn't come as any surprise that the Steelers coach regularly tells rookie center A.Q. Shipley, "Man, those arms are looking short." The length of Shipley's arms is a big reason why 225 players were selected before the Moon Area High School graduate in April.

Steelers players brighten some spirits

John Harris is a sports columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached via e-mail or at 412-481-5432. An excited Heather Miller of Bedford got a chance Wednesday to meet her favorite football player, Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton, as part of her Make-a-Wish Foundation request.

Steelers' LB Davis seeking his seat on bus

The BMOC of UCLA has been MIA in Pittsburgh. Linebacker Bruce Davis went from what he called a "rock star" in college football to almost rock bottom with the Steelers.

Mundy impresses Steelers with smarts, skills

Twenty-nine has significance for Steelers safety Ryan Mundy beyond the fact that it is his uniform number.