By Mark Curnutte
Cincinnati Enquirer

Quarterbacks: Jon Kitna has averaged 332 passing yards in his last three starts. Receivers play hard for him. He demands it.

Nothing against Tommy Maddox, but the Bengals appear happy not to have to chase Kordell Stewart all day.

Edge: Bengals

Running Backs: The Dillon-Bettis matchup is one of the best in football. Bettis hasn't been the same since his hamstring injury. Dillon is better than ever.

Jerome Bettis is struggling with a 46-yard average. Based on his history against the orange-and-black, though, Bettis could get well today.

Edge: Bengals

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Danny Farmer's return will help. Can Chad Johnson match or improve last week's performance? TE Matt Schobel looks more comfortable each week.

Hines Ward is the top pass catcher on the field. He has 29 receptions in four games, with four TDs and an 11.4-yard average. Watch out for Slash II, Antwaan Randle El.

Edge: Steelers

Offensive Line: Rookie Levi Jones had a successful debut as starting left tackle last week, but faces Joey Porter this week. Memo to Bob Bratkowski: Stick with straight-ahead blocking.

This group allowed a sack in Game 4 for the first time since the opener. Rookie right guard has his hands full with Bengals active tackle Oliver Gibson.

Edge: Steelers

Defensive Line: Improving against the run. Lack of pass rush has hurt secondary. Line has just three sacks -- one for Justin Smith.

Like their teammates, front three have not been as effective as in past. Defense is ranked 18th, lowest ever for a Bill Cowher team.

Edge: Steelers

Linebackers: The best news this week for the Bengals is that Brian Simmons will be able to play. They had better hope he can take the pounding.

Jason Gildon is getting untracked. Joey Porter has three interceptions and four sacks. It's hard to figure what's gone wrong here.

Edge: Steelers

Defensive Backs: The Bengals were supposed to be better at safety. Of course, they were supposed to be better at corner, too. DBs have just one pick, and they're giving up 7.43 a pass attempt.

Ah, here's the problem: the cornerbacks. Steelers have dropped to 23rd in pass defense at 241.8 yards a game. The whole defense is out of sync, but has too much talent not to improve.

Edge: Even

Coaching: Dick LeBeau has tightened screws on his team in last two weeks. It worked. But a bad performance today by Bengals might get LeBeau fired.

Cowher's track record suggests the Steelers have a better chance of turning around than the Bengals. A 1-3 start in 2000 ended up at 9-7.

Edge: Steelers

Overall: Only in the AFC North could teams with one victory and none talk about getting back into the race with a win. This game is Bengals' best chance for a victory so far this season.

Steelers are 4-4 in last eight against Bengals and, again, will have several thousand fans in stands for support. This game could easily turn on the play of the special teams.

Mark Curnutte's prediction: Steelers 23, Bengals 17

Return to Bengals front page...