Primer: Steelers @ Bengals (Game #7)

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 16, 2008 10:56 AM EDT in Primer

Game: Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)
Series Leader: Steelers, 45-30
Streak: Steelers have won the past three.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 3-8. Tomlin: 2-0
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 126 (Pit.), 118 (Cin.).
XM: 119 (Cin) Direct TV: 705
SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Hi of 68, mostly sunny with light winds. [Weather.com]
Uniform: Black
Television Coverage: Mostly regional; through the Carolinas and down to Texas. [the 506 TV distribution maps]
Site: We plan on being here.

BENGALS

Last week, Ryan Fitzpatrick posted his first rushing touchdown as a Cincinnati Bengal.
With 50 yards receiving, Perry will reach 500 yards receiving for his career.
In his career against the Steelers, Kenny Watson is averaging 5.2 yards-per-carry (28 attempts, 146 yards).
T.J. Houshmandzadeh looks to catch six passes or more in his fifth straight game.
In his past five games against the Steelers, Houshmandzadeh has five touchdowns.
Chad Johnson has 65 receptions for 977 yards receiving in his career against the Steelers; a 15 yards-per-catch average.
In his last start against the Steelers at home (12/31/06), Chris Henry caught four passes for 124 yards and a score.
Marvin White and Corey Lynch posted their first career interceptions last week.
Glenn Holt ranks first in the NFL with 744 kickoff return yards (26.6 yards-per-return).

STEELERS

Steelers look to beat the Bengals for the seventh straight time at Cincinnati -- which includes the playoffs.
Ben Roethlisberger is 10-0 in his home state of Ohio (5-0 at Cincinnati, 5-0 at Cleveland).
In two games against the AFC North this season, Roethlisberger has completed 27 of 44 passes for 370 yards receiving with two touchdowns and a pick (passer rating of 93.9).
When Big Ben has a passer rating of 100.0 or better, the Steelers are 28-2 (which includes the playoffs).
Willie Parker is averaging 130.3 yards-per-game at Cincinnati; looking for his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance at Cincinnati.
In his last game, Mewelde Moore rushed for 99 yards on 17 attempts (5.8 yard-average).
In his past two games against Cincinnati, Hines Ward has recorded 19 receptions for 178 yards receiving; including two touchdowns in each of the past two games.
In his past two games against the Bengals, Santonio Holmes averaged 105.5 yards-per-game.
When Troy Polamalu records a pick, the Steelers are 11-3.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has 4.5 sacks in the past three games.

Team Rankings

Offense	Bengals	Steelers
Total	227.8 (32nd)	283.6 (26th)
Passing	155.7 (27th)	177.4 (23rd)
Rushing	72.2 (31st)	106.2 (20th)
Scoring	14.7 (30th)	20.6 (21st)

Defense	Bengals	Steelers
Total	324.2 (16th)	231.6 (2nd)
Passing	167.3 (4th)	164.8 (3rd)
Rushing	156.8 (28th)	66.8 (2nd)
Scoring	24 (t-21st)	15.8 (2nd)
Sacks	5 (31st)	18 (t-2nd)
QB Rating	83.7 (16th)	71.2 (6th)

Turnovers	Bengals	Steelers
Interceptions	4 (t-19th)	6 (t-7th)

Special Teams	Bengals	Steelers
Kickoff Return	26.6 (5th)	19.6 (30th)
Punt Return	10.1 (17th)	3.8 (32nd)
Punting (Net)	34.2 (26th)	40.0 (9th)

Carson Palmer (just FYI since he's not playing)

Date	Result	Comp	Att	Yards	TDs	INTs
12.02.07	L, 10-24	17	44	183	0	0
10.28.07	L, 13-24	23	31	205	1	0
12.31.06	L, 17-23	20	38	251	2	0
9.24.06	W, 28-20	18	26	193	4	2
12.4.05	W, 38-31	22	38	227	3	0
10.23.05	L, 13-27	21	36	227	0	2
11.21.04	L, 14-19	13	25	165	2	1
10.3.04	L, 17-28	20	37	164	1	2
Passer	Rating: 83.4	154	275	1,615	13	7

Chad Johnson

Date	Rec	Yards	TDs
12.02.07	6	86	0
10.28.07	5	51	0
12.31.06	4	53	0
9.24.06	1	11	0
12.4.05	5	54	0
10.23.05	4	94	0
11.21.04	5	80	1
10.3.04	4	54	0
11.30.03	6	117	1
9.21.03	4	77	0
11.24.02	7	152	0
10.13.02	7	71	0
12.30.01	2	25	0
10.07.01	5	52	0
	65	977	2

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Date	Rec	Yards	TDs
12.02.07	5	42	0
10.28.07	7	81	1
12.31.06	4	44	0
9.24.06	9	94	2
12.4.05	5	88	2
10.23.05	7	75	0
11.21.04	2	24	0
10.3.04	6	53	0
11.24.02	1	6	0
10.13.02	4	56	0
12.30.01	9	98	0
	59	661	5