By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Stopping Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis was the Bengals' primary focus in this season's sixth game. They didn't do it.

Bettis ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns, and the Steelers won 34-7 on Oct.13 at Paul Brown Stadium. His success running the ball opened up many passing opportunities, creating a long day for the Bengals' defense.

Bettis is coming off a knee injury, which has limited him to 87 carries and 332 yards this season. But he'll be ready for the Bengals, against whom he's rushed for 1,387 yards in 13 career games.

At 5 feet 11, 256 pounds, Bettis is a rare combination of speed and size. In the past few meetings with Pittsburgh, some Bengals defenders have preferred not to tangle with Bettis.

Bengals strong safety JoJuan Armour, who hasn't played against Bettis, has the right attitude. He's going after "The Bus" to hit him head-on.

"He is one of the best backs in the league. He can run you over, or he can juke you," said Armour, who has been used by Bengals coach Dick LeBeau when opposing offenses have experienced too much success running the ball. "It's not natural for someone that big to move that well. We're going to have to come up with some good hits on him.

"I'm going to take my shot at him. I'm going to hit him right in the chest. Then after that, if I had to re-evaluate the way I hit him, then I will."

This match-up is a bad one for the Bengals. They are ranked 31st in rush defense (137.6 yards per game) and the Steelers are 10th in rushing offense (121.9 yards per game).

TICK-TOCK: The Bengals have a three-minute time-of-possession disadvantage through 10 games. That number was especially bad last Sunday against Cleveland (Browns 36:22, Bengals 23:38).

The Bengals can't allow their defense to stay on the field too long today. Pittsburgh has too many threats.

The Bengals could use another big game from tailback Corey Dillon, who is averaging 88.8 yards this season.

Quarterback Jon Kitna also needs to continue to stay away from costly interceptions. In the past four games, he has nine touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

Something else in the Bengals' favor: In spite of the Steelers' reputation for a big, bad defense, they've been horrible on third down. They are the second-worst defense in the NFL on third downs, allowing a 48.7 percent conversion rate. The Bengals need to sustain drives and give their defense rest.

HAPPY RETURNS: Brandon Bennett and Antwaan Randle El have been two of the league's most exciting kickoff-return specialists this season.

Randle El had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in his last game against the Bengals. He has a 24.6-yard average on 19 returns and has 1,069 total yards on returns, receptions and rushes.

Bennett, Dillon's valuable backup, has turned kickoff returns into a Bengals strength. He's averaging 25.5 yards and is just 0.7 yards per return from leading the AFC.

Bennett had a second big game last week, returning five kickoffs for 173 yards, including an 82-yarder. The week before at Baltimore, he set a franchise record with 228 yards on six returns, including a 94-yard touchdown.

"Just trying to help the team any way I can," Bennett said.

The Bengals will need all the help they can get to gain positive field position.

E-mail: mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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