Sunday, October 07, 2001
Who's got the edge
Quarterbacks:
Steelers. Kordell Stewart has a 59.1 passer rating with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense has scored one of the Steelers' two touchdowns.
Bengals. Jon Kitna is better than the three-interception game last week. Kitna should be looking for Darnay Scott and Chad Johnson deep today.
Edge: Bengals.
Running backs:
Steelers. Jerome Bettis will get at least 54 yards rushing, making him the 14th player in NFL history to run for 10,000 yards. Amos Zereoue adds a quicker, faster complement, similar to the Bengals' situation.
Bengals. Corey Dillon has been held to 93 yards in the past nine quarters and has had 12 runs of 0 or negative yardage. Line has to block better. He can't fumble again.
Edge: Steelers.
Wide receivers/tight ends:
Steelers. It's Hines Ward and pray for rain. Recent draft picks Plaxico Burress and Troy Edwards have been busts. Ward has 16 receptions in two games.
Bengals. Darnay Scott needs to rebound from one-catch San Diego game. Rookie Chad Johnson could have a breakout game. Look for deep balls outside and down the middle to tight ends.
Edge: Bengals.
Offensive line:
Steelers. The line is opening holes for the league's second-ranked rush offense at 145 yards a game. But it has allowed five sacks of Stewart. The offense has scored only one touchdown.
Bengals. The last two opponents and today's opposing defense - Ravens, Chargers and Steelers - are ranked second, third and fourth against the rush. Dillon has had to work too hard just to get back to the line of scrimmage.
Edge: Steelers.
Special teams:
Steelers. Kris Brown is 3-of-4 on field-goal attempts. Hank Poteat averages 13.1 yards a punt return. Steelers are last in AFC with 21.8-yard-line drive start after kickoffs.
Bengals. Curtis Keaton averages 29.4 yards a kickoff return, and Bengals are starting 5 yards better on kickoffs than opponents. Need good game from kicker Neil Rackers, who missed 3 of 3 against Ravens.
Edge: Bengals.
Defensive line:
Steelers. Front three do a good job of containing offensive line and leaving gifted foursome of linebackers free to make tackles. DE Aaron Smith has two sacks, two tackles for loss.
Bengals. After controlling the Baltimore game, the line was pushed around at San Diego in the running game. Oliver Gibson and Tony Williams have to come up big against Pittsburgh running game.
Edge: Steelers.
Linebackers:
Steelers. The starting four linebackers are considered the fastest quartet to play under Bill Cowher. Earl Holmes is dangerous, with four tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Bengals. The best and most consistently productive unit on the team. Linebackers need to force fumbles and help on pass coverage.
Edge: Bengals.
Defensive backs:
Steelers. Cornerback Dewayne Washington went 63 yards with a fumble recovery at Buffalo. Steelers are sixth against pass at 159 yards a game and one interception.
Bengals. Three consecutive times on third downs on two Chargers TD drives, the Bengals gave up big first downs. Ranked 20th at 218 yards against the pass.
Edge: Steelers.
Coaching:
Steelers. Cowher once employed Bengals coach Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski as wide receivers coach. Staffs know a lot about each other. Cowher appears rejuvenated.
Bengals. LeBeau likes to win like Cowher does, on the ground and with tough defense. LeBeau could go 7-7 since 15-0 loss at Pittsburgh last year.
Edge: Even.
Mark Curnutte's prediction :
Cincinnati 17, Pittsburgh 15
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Who's got the edge
