Game 10 : Steelers @ Bengals : 11.13.11 : Game Thread!

[Kipper]

[Beezy]

Go Steelers!

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Big game in alot of ways today!

Especially for Your Friendly Neighborhood Bungle Basher......

[Palmetto Steel]

Steelers-Bengals Preview
STATS LLC

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For a team picked to finish last and in apparent disarray heading into the season, the Cincinnati Bengals are making many prognosticators look foolish.

Riding their longest winning streak in more than 23 years and tied for the lead in the AFC North, the Bengals begin a stretch of four straight games against division rivals when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The holdout of Carson Palmer, trade of Chad Ochocinco to New England and impending suspension of Cedric Benson had many predicting no better than a repeat of last season's dismal 4-12 performance.

Palmer has since been traded to Oakland and Ochocinco has been ineffective for the Patriots, while Benson and rookie quarterback Andy Dalton have helped lead the Bengals (6-2) to the top of their division, tied with Baltimore.

Cincinnati has won five straight after beating Tennessee 24-17 last week, marking its longest winning streak since a six-game run in 1988 -- the last time the Bengals appeared in the Super Bowl.

There's a long way to go, though, before Cincinnati starts talking about reaching that level.

"Our goals are the same -- trying to win the AFC North and nothing less than the playoffs," defensive tackle Domata Peko, who is helping anchor the Bengals' fourth-ranked defense allowing 301.3 yards per game, told the team's official website.

"That's what our goals have been coming into the season and we just have to keep things rolling. There's nothing else we want to do but make the playoffs and take it from there."

Dalton has experienced some growing pains but has been an adequate replacement for Palmer, throwing for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He went 22 for 39 for 217 yards and three TDs last week, while Benson added 78 yards on 20 carries after serving a one-game suspension in the Bengals' 34-12 win over Seattle on Oct. 30.

Cincinnati's offense hasn't exactly been explosive -- it ranks 22nd averaging 316.3 total yards -- and it's sure to be tested in the next four games, including two against Pittsburgh (6-3).

The Steelers, who have won seven of the last nine meetings, rank third in the NFL in total defense allowing 280.2 yards per game. Cincinnati plays at Baltimore on Nov. 20 and hosts Cleveland on Nov. 27 before traveling to Pittsburgh on Dec. 4.

"It's a street fight," said left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who caught a 1-yard touchdown pass in a 23-7 loss to the Steelers in the most recent meeting Dec. 12. "It's a football game, but it's like you're meeting somebody in the school parking lot. That's what it is. It's football, but it's a fight at the same time."

Pittsburgh, which is tied with Miami for last in the league with four takeaways, allowed a 13-play, 92-yard drive in the final 2 1/2 minutes of a 23-20 loss to Baltimore last Sunday night, giving up a touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining.

The loss snapped Pittsburgh's four-game winning streak, and the 356 yards allowed were the most since giving up 385 to Baltimore in a season-opening 35-7 loss Sept. 11.

"We lost a very tough, close ballgame, highly contested," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Hopefully we will grow and learn from it. I know those will be our intentions. I truly believe that it will strengthen us moving forward."

Though the Steelers have had success against the Bengals in recent seasons, their meetings have been tight. Prior to Pittsburgh's victory last December, the previous three games were decided by six points or fewer, with Cincinnati winning two.

"Really, when you think about it, the last couple of years, the ball has ended up in their hands inside the 10-yard line or so, to win it at the very end," Tomlin said. "We were fortunate enough to make a play a year ago (in a 27-21 win Nov. 8, 2010). We weren't the year before that (when the Bengals threw a touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining to win 23-20 on Sept. 27, 2009)."

Ben Roethlisberger has averaged 352.0 yards while throwing six touchdowns over his last three games, though he hasn't had similar success in recent meetings with Cincinnati.

He hasn't thrown for more than 280 yards while tossing 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 79.7 passer rating over the last 10 matchups. The Bengals have allowed eight passing touchdowns this season, tied for third-fewest in the NFL.

Cincinnati has the league's second-best run defense allowing 84.5 yards per game, while Pittsburgh ranks sixth giving up 95.6.

The Steelers have shut down Benson through most of his career, holding him to 3.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns in six matchups.

Pittsburgh's LaMarr Woodley will miss a second straight game due to a hamstring injury, but fellow linebacker James Farrior is probable to return after missing two games with a calf problem.

Cincinnati linebacker Rey Maualuga said he expects to play despite an injured ankle which has kept him out of the last three games.

[War Machine]

A win today would be good. A win that helps bring back a little confidence would be better.

Let's rock!

[Palmetto Steel]

Key Matchups:

IKE TAYLOR vs. A.J. GREEN

After the Steelers’ defense self-destructed last week against the Ravens, Taylor wants to redeem himself.

The veteran cornerback wasn’t scorched for the game-winning TD with eight seconds left; William Gay was burned by rookie Torrey Smith on the 26-yarder. But Taylor played his worst game of the season and could have been the goat. Four plays before the game-winner, Smith blew by Taylor for what should have been a 37-yard TD catch. But Smith dropped the ball.

Today, Taylor gets to go against another rookie. But Green isn’t your typical rookie wide receiver. At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, he’s a big, physical pass catcher who leads all rookie WRs in catches (40), receiving yards (599) and TDs (five).

“He’s a beast,” Taylor said. “He’s freakish.”

In a win over Cleveland, Green’s 41-yard TD catch from QB Bruce Gradkowski was the longest game-winning catch by a rookie playing in his first game in NFL history. In a loss at Denver, Green hooked up with rookie QB Andy Dalton for 10 catches. It’s the only time in NFL history that a rookie duo hit double digits in pass completions. In a win over Buffalo, Green became the first Bengal in 23 years with two catches of 40 yards or more (58, 40).

“On draft day, I felt like I just got up and opened my favorite present,” Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said of Green.

MARCUS GILBERT vs. CARLOS DUNLAP

It will be a Swamp reunion for Gilbert. In obvious passing situations, the Bengals bring in Dunlap as their left defensive end. Dunlap, a second-year pro, played at Florida with OT Gilbert and C Maurkice Pouncey.

“He’s a beast,” Gilbert said of Dunlap. “He’s going to be one of those players you talk about for a long time.”

Last year, Dunlap led the team with 9.5 sacks, the most ever by a Bengals rookie. Dunlap didn’t have any sacks in the first six games this year. But he’s had three in the past two games, including two last week in a win over Tennessee.

“Once Carlos got that first sack, I knew they were going to start coming,” NT Domata Peko said.

Dunlap leads the Bengals with 20 QB pressures. Second on the team is DT Geno Atkins, who was Gilbert’s teammate in high school.

“It will be good seeing those guys, but between the white lines, when you step out onto the field, there are no friends,” said Gilbert.

Unlike the Steelers who get most of their sacks through their linebackers, the Bengals get most of theirs from their D-linemen. No less than four of them have at least three sacks.

Atkins leads the team with 3.5. Dunlap, Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene each has 3.

[Palmetto Steel]

TODAY'S STORYLINE
Is it too early to say the Steelers are in a must-win situation? Well, if the Ravens (6-2) win as expected in Seattle against the struggling Seahawks (2-6), and if the red-hot Bengals (6-2) win their sixth straight, the Steelers (6-3) will fall deeper in the AFC North standings.
"This is a big game," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "We don't want to go 0-3 in the division. And we want to prove we're a good road team because we'll probably have to go on the road (as a wild card) if we make the playoffs."
STAT SPEAK
5: The Bengals' five-game winning streak is their longest since they won six straight in 1988.
INJURY REPORT
LB LaMarr Woodley, who leads the Steelers with 9 sacks, will miss his second straight game with a pulled hamstring. Also scratched are WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Arnaz Battle. Sanders is out indefinitely after having arthroscopic knee on Monday. Battle, primarily a special teams contributor, has a hamstring pull.
Listed as probable for the Steelers: LBs James Harrison (toe), James Farrior (calf) and Stevenson Sylvester (knee), WRs Hines Ward (concussion-like symptoms) and Jerricho Cotchery (knee); G Doug Legursky (toe) and SS Troy Polamalu (rib).
For the Bengals, third-team TE Donald Lee (foot) is out. Back-up CB Adam Jones (hamstring) is doubtful. Listed as questionable are starting TE Jermaine Gresham (hamstring), back-up DE Carlos Dunlap (hamstring) and third-team RB Brian Leonard (knee).
QUOTEWORTHY
"Last year, we won four games. That stays in your heart. It's a chip on your shoulder. Now we've got a taste of winning. It tastes so good."
-- Cincinnati DT Domata Peko
BETTING LINE
The Steelers are favored by 3½ points.
WHY THE STEELERS WILL WIN
The Steelers don't mind playing at Paul Brown Stadium, where as many as 10,000 fans today could be clad in black and gold. Since PBS opened in 2000, the Steelers are 10-2 there. QB Ben Roethlisberger, who grew up in Findlay, Ohio, is 6-1 in Cincinnati with an excellent 98.7 passer rating in those games. And rookie QBs like Cincinnati's Andy Dalton don't beat Dick LeBeau's defenses very often. So it will be ...
Steelers 24, Bengals 17

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When the Bengals have the ball: Even with a rookie QB, the Bengals have turned the ball over only eight times, fewest in the AFC. RB Cedric Benson remains the team's workhorse with 536 yards and two touchdowns but has only two runs of 20 yards or longer. The Bengals average just 3.7 yards per rush despite trying to be more of a power-running team with FB Chris Pressley and two-tight end sets. TE Jermaine Greshman (hamstring), who has 25 catches and 221 yards receiving, could return. Rookie A.J. Green is off to one of the best starts in team history, but the Bengals have also been able to develop former No. 2 pick Jerome Simpson. His development has been key because WR Jordan Shipley sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2. The Steelers will be without OLB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) for the second game in a row. But ILB James Farrior (calf) is expected to return.

When the Steelers have the ball: Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been able to use draft picks and free-agent signings to build the league's No. 4 defense. The Bengals will use eight different defensive linemen, depending on run and pass situations, and the rotation appears to be working. They are second in the league in rush defense and also are generating pressure on the QB with their down lineman. Of their 20 sacks, 15 have come from their defensive linemen led by DT Geno Atkins (31/2 sacks). The additions of Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard through free agency have given the Bengals the best set of linebackers since Marvin Lewis became coach. In the secondary, Nate Clements is smart and always around the ball. S Reggie Nelson has been good against the run. They will be tested by QB Ben Roethlisberger, who has 1,056 yards and 6 TDs in his past three games.

KEEP AN EYE ON ...

Brandon Tate/Adam "PacMan" Jones ... The tandem has combined to give the Bengals a pair of productive return specialists. Tate, who had two kick returns for touchdowns with New England in 2010, has a 56-yard punt return for touchdown and averages 10.5 yards per return despite never returning punts before this season. However, Jones has not played since pulling up with a hamstring injury on a 63-yard punt return against the Seahawks Oct. 30. He is listed as doubtful on the injury report.

INTANGIBLES

The Bengals have won five in a row, the best streak in the AFC and third best in the NFL. However, they are 1-9 in 10 games against the Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium, including postseason. This is Marvin Lewis' 50th division game since becoming head coach, and the only team against whom he has a losing record is the Steelers (5-11). ... The Steelers had a four-game winning streak snapped with last week's loss to the Ravens. After each of their last seven regular-season losses, dating to 2009, the Steelers have bounced back with a victory.

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, the Bengals must ...

1 Go Green. The rookie receiver has the size, speed and body control to make big plays and change the game.

2 Not toy with Troy. A rookie QB must find Troy Polamalu in the many looks the Steelers will use. He has three INTs in his past five games vs. the Bengals.

3 Get Carlos in Ben's lap. Carlos Dunlap is the best of the Bengals pass rushers and will be matched against friend and former college teammate, Marcus Gilbert.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1 Not let Andy be dandy. Dalton has already led three fourth-quarter comebacks, and that's something to which the Steelers defense has been susceptible.

2 Get Ben to work. Roethlisberger is averaging 352 yards passing in the past three games and will attack a pass defense that has been vulnerable to big plays.

3 Have Whit be worth less. Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth needs to control James Harrison, who had three sacks, six QB pressures and a forced fumble last week.

[Palmetto Steel]

Recent Trends

Pittsburgh:	PIT are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. AFC North. Over is 8-3 in PIT last 11 vs. AFC. Over is 9-4 in PIT last 13 games overall.
Cincinnati:	CIN are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 vs. AFC. CIN are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. CIN are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.
Head to Head:	PIT are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings. Favorite is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.

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Injuries


Pittsburgh

Player		Status/Updated	Notes
Hines Ward	WR	Prob Sun - Concussion - 11/8/11	Ward was forced from the game against the Ravens in Week 9 during the first quarter after being on the receiving end of a hit by Ray Lewis hit to the head. He was unable to make a return but is expected to be ready for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
James Farrior	LB	Prob Sun - Calf - 11/11/11	Farrior missed his second game in a row in Week 9 against the Ravens due to a calf injury but is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Doug Legursky	C	Prob Sun - Toe - 11/10/11	Legursky has not played since dislocating his toe in Week 6 against the Jaguars but is expected to play Sunday against the Bengals.
Chris Hoke	NT	Ques Sun - Neck - 11/7/11	Hoke has not played since suffering a stinger in Week 6 against the Jaguars and remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Arnaz Battle	WR	Doub Sun - Hamstring - 11/12/11	Battle was forced to leave the game in Week 9 against the Ravens due to a minor hamstring injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Emmanuel Sanders	WR	Late Nov - Knee - 11/9/11	Sanders underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on November 7th to repair his meniscus and will be sideline for approximately 2-3 weeks.
LaMarr Woodley	LB	Out Sun - Hamstring - 11/11/11	Woodley did not play in Week 9 against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 8 against the Patriots. He has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Daniel Sepulveda	P	I-R - Knee - 11/6/11	Sepulveda has been placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season as a result.

Cincinnati

Player		Status/Updated	Notes
Rey Maualuga	LB	Prob Sun - Ankle - 11/11/11	Maualuga missed his third straight game in Week 9 against the Titans due to an ankle injury but is expected to play Sunday against the Steelers.
Clint Boling	G	Ques Sun - Knee - 11/7/11	Boling did not play in Week 9 against the Titans due to a knee injury and remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Ryan Whalen	WR	Ques Sun - Hamstring - 11/7/11	Whalen missed his third consecutive game in Week 9 against the Titans due to a hamstring injury and remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Dontay Moch	LB	Ques Sun - Foot - 11/7/11	Moch has yet to play this season due to a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot, an injury he suffered in the preseason. He remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Carlos Dunlap	DE	Doub Sun - Hamstring - 11/11/11	Dunlap has been dealing with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Jermaine Gresham	TE	Doub Sun - Hamstring - 11/11/11	Gresham missed his second game in a row in Week 9 against the Titans due to a hamstring injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Adam Jones	CB	Doub Sun - Hamstring - 11/11/11	Jones has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 8 against the Seahawks during a punt return. He is not expected to return for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Donald Lee	TE	Out Sun - Foot - 11/11/11	Lee has been diagnosed with a sprained foot and was wearing a walking boot on Monday. He has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

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Steelers Inactives vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives:

• WR - #81 Arnaz Battle
• QB - #10 Dennis Dixon
• NT - #76 Chris Hoke
• OT - #69 Jamon Meredith
• WR - #88 Emmanuel Sanders
• DE - #65 Al Woods

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