clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

PRIMER: Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers

All you can eat buffet between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Grant Halverson

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
Time: 1:00 PM (ET)
Location: Heinz Field
Series Leader: Steelers, 52-32
Streak: Steelers have 13 of past 17
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis 5-15. Tomlin: 9-2
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. Dial Global Radio: Tom McCarthy, Tony Boselli. SIRIUS: 135 (Cin.), 86 (Pit.). XM: 234 (Pit.).
SB Nation: Behind The Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 34 degrees [Weather Underground]
Uniform: White

CINCINNATI BENGALS

  • Bengals have won five of their past six games, looking to win their fourth straight road game (5-2 on the road this year).
  • Quarterback Andy Dalton (3,133) needs 86 yards passing to surpass his rookie total of 3,398 yards passing.
  • Dalton is one of three players in NFL history with 20 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons (Peyton Manning, Dan Marino).
  • Dalton needs four touchdown passes to become the second Bengals player in franchise history to register 30 or more in a season (Carson Palmer, 2005).
  • In his past five games Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is averaging 108.6 yards rushing per game.
  • Green-Ellis, who posted his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season last week, has a career high 1,080 yards rushing and reached the 1,000-yard milestone for only the second time in his career.
  • Wide receiver A.J. Green needs 223 yards receiving to surpass Chad Johnson (1,440, 2007) for single-season franchise record.
  • Since 2011, Green has posted 18 receiving touchdowns, most among AFC wide receivers.
  • Tight End Jermaine Gresham has already set a career high in receptions (61) and yards receiving (699) in 2012.
  • Defensive tackle Geno Atkins (10.5) is tied for second-most sacks by a Bengals player in a season since 1982 (Eddie Edwards, 13 in 1983).
  • Since 2010 Atkins leads all NFL defensive tackles with 21 quarterback sacks.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

  • Steelers have won three straight at home against the Bengals in December.
  • Ben Roethlisberger is 13-4 (.765) during his career against the Bengals.
  • Roethlisberger registered his 23rd 300-yard passing game of his career last week and has 29,490 yards passing, most in Steelers annals.
  • Running back Jonathan Dwyer rushed for a career-best 122 yards in his last game against the Bengals, posting his second touchdown last week.
  • In his past two games, wide receiver Mike Wallace is averaging 103.5 yards receiving per game.
  • Wide receiver Antonio Brown is looking to post a touchdown in his third straight game.
  • Tight end Heath Miller (405) joined Hines Ward and Hall of Famer John Stallworth as the only Steelers to reach 400 career receptions.
  • Miller (68) has second-most receptions among AFC tight ends in 2012.
  • Linebacker James Harrison has eight quarterback sacks in his past nine games against the Bengals.
  • Linebacker Larry Foote leads the team with 97 tackles.
  • Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has eight sacks, two interceptions, pick-six, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 10 career games against the Bengals.
  • Safety Troy Polamalu has four career picks against the Bengals.

TEAM RANKINGS

Offense Bengals Steelers
Total 347.6 (18th) 345.1 (19th)
Scoring 25.4 (9th) 21.6 (20th)
Third Downs 35.4% (t-22nd) 44.2% (4th)
Rushing 120.3 (11th) 96.5 (26th)
Rushing TDs 11 (t-14th) 8 (t-25th)
20-Yard Runs 13 (t-7th) 7 (t-22nd)
Passing 227.4 (17th) 248.6 (10th)
Passing TDs 27 (t-5th) 23 (t-8th)
Sacks Allowed 38 (25th) 31 (t-16th)
20-yard Passes 33 (30th) 47 (t-12th)
Defense Bengals Steelers
Total 320.4 (6th) 273.3 (1st)
Scoring 20.9 (t-9th) 20.8 (8th)
3rd Downs Allowed 38% (18th) 36% (10th)
Rushing 101.0 (9th) 92.7 (4th)
Rushing TDs 11 (t-11th) 9 (t-9th)
20-Yard Runs 5 (t-2nd) 4 (1st)
Passing 219.4 (12th) 180.6 (1st)
Passing TDs 15 (t-6th) 18 (t-11th)
Sacks 43 (1st) 27 (t-23rd)
QB Rating 83.2 (13th) 80.6 (11th)
20-Yard Passes Allowed 47 (t-22nd) 25 (1st)
Interceptions 11 (t-19th) 7 (t-29th)
Fumble Recoveries 12 (5th) 5 (t-24th)
Forced Fumbles 14 (t-9th) 11 (t-15th)
Special Teams Bengals Steelers
Kickoff Return 22.4 (19th) 25.6 (9th)
Punt Return 11.5 (4th) 7.5 (26th)
Punting (Net) 41.2 (t-8th) 37.1 (t-27th)
Punts Inside the 20 25 (t-13th) 24 (t-16th)