This Week VS Last Week

Last Week the Bengals, more specifically Carson Palmer, scored 14 points for the Steelers and seven points for themselves. Obviously, a team can't do this and expect to win, especially against a foe as formidable as the Steelers. Needless to say, the Bengals extended their losing streak to 10 games.

This Week the Bengals host the Cleveland Browns. The Browns may not have the greatest record in the NFL but it's not hard to tell that Mike Holmgren isn't too terribly far away from having a competitive product on the field. They're closer, right now, than the Bengals are by a lot.

How do the Browns stack up against the Bengals compared to how the Steelers did?

Jake Delhomme VS Ben Roethlisberger:

If we could go back in time a few years, Delhomme might give Roethlisberger a run for his money or at least a little competition. Not anymore.

Winner: Ben Roethlisberger

What the Bengals need to do:

Hopefully the Bengals' young pass rushers keep on keeping on and give Delhomme a run for his money. If the Bengals can keep Delhomme from getting comfortable in the pocket, they may force some errant throws that the banged up secondary can take advantage of. If they let him sit in the pocket, somebody will get open and Delhomme will find them when they do. The passing game largely lies in the hands of Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Pat Sims and Michael Johnson.

Browns Running Game VS Steelers Running Game

Peyton Hillis was probably the fantasy football free agency acquisition of the year for most leagues as he's been running over defenders left and right on his way to over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranks No. 10 in the NFL in rushing yards and he's tied for second in touchdowns. Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall ranks ninth in rushing yards (by three yards) and eighth in touchdowns.

Winner: Draw

Hillis is a semi-truck and Mendenhall is more of a motorcycle. Both are capable of getting the job done, they just get the job done in different ways. It doesn't matter if you run people over or run around people as long as you get in the end zone.

What the Bengals need to do:

They need to go back to what they learned in high school football about how to tackle somebody and do that. Hillis is the kind of running back that can make a single tackler pay if they hit him high and they don't wrap him up. If there's one guy in the NFL that a defensive player needs to tackle fundamentally, it's Hillis. Also, it wouldn't hurt to make sure there's more than one guy around the ball at all times. Hillis may be able to break one tackle fairly easily, but I doubt he can break three.

Browns Receivers VS Steelers Receivers:

For Pittsburgh, Mike Wallace has been a big play threat, Antwaan Ranle El has been solid and Hines Ward is about as consistently good as any receiver in the NFL. The Browns lost Donte Stallworth and Braylon Edwards over the past couple seasons.

Winner: Steelers Receivers

What the Bengals need to do:

The beat up Bengals secondary should get a little bit of a break against the Browns. However, their game will largely depend on the front seven's ability to stop Hillis and get pressure on Delhomme. If the front seven can't stop Hillis, the secondary will have to move up for run support and if that happens, they will start getting burnt by play-action passes. For the secondary to have a good game, the defensive line and linebackers are going to have to play well too. Also, if the Bengals offense can get a decent sized lead, they could force Hillis out of the equation so the Browns can play catchup.

Browns Defense VS Steelers Defense:

Tory Polamalu plays for the Steelers, not the Browns. Nuff said.

Winner: Steelers Defense

What the Bengals need to do:

The exact opposite of what they did against the Steelers.