By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The end of November typically finds the Steelers on the hot streak and the Bengals trying to win consecutive games for the first time.

But roles are reversed this season, thanks mainly to Pittsburgh-area native Marvin Lewis in his first season as Bengals coach.

The Bengals are 6-5. The Steelers are 4-7. The last time the Bengals played the Steelers after October with a better record was in 1988, when Pittsburgh was 2-7 and Cincinnati was 7-2.

A victory today would give the Bengals four consecutive victories for the first time since the opening game of 1997; the 1996 team finished with three in a row. A seventh victory would be a Bengals single-season first since 1997.

"It's crazy," Steelers tailback Jerome Bettis said of the turnabout. "You think something weird is going on, with some things freezing over. But that's not the case."

QUARTERBACK

Since throwing for a season-low 125 yards against the Steelers in Game 3, Jon Kitna has been as productive as any NFL quarterback, with 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions. There are even MVP whispers coming Kitna's way.

Tommy Maddox has not delivered the way he did in 2002. He has 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a mediocre passer rating of 75.7. He has a lot of yards, 2,430, but not many scores.

Edge: Bengals

RUNNING BACKS

Word around the Steelers is coach Bill Cowher finally has been convinced to run the ball. He has a relatively fresh Bettis, who last week became the fifth running back in NFL history to reach 3,000 carries.

Lewis successfully unveiled his running back-by-committee approach in San Diego. A healthy Corey Dillon ran for 108 yards with Rudi Johnson pitching in another 55.

Edge: Bengals

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

Two of the league's most talented wide receiver duos will be on the field today. Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick have 119 receptions, 1,580 yards and 13 touchdown catches for the Bengals. Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress aren't far behind at 108, 1,379 and nine.

If the rush offenses are a wash, whichever receiving tandem gets hot will help decide today's winner.

Edge: Bengals

OFFENSIVE LINE

It's almost impossible not to give the nod to the Bengals. The line has led the ground game to 655 yards in three games and allowed just eight sacks in the past five.

The Steelers line apparently is getting healthier, though center Jeff Hartings might miss today's game. With left tackle Marvel Smith back in the lineup, Alan Faneca moves back to left guard - his best position - and Bettis will run behind them against Bengals right end Justin Smith and right tackle Tony Williams.

Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Bengals' front four has to get pressure on Maddox without benefit of the blitz. In fact, pressure is better without the blitz, which has been ineffective.

Pittsburgh's front three has been solid and has anchored a rush defense that's ranked eighth at 98.8 yards a game.

Edge: Steelers

LINEBACKERS

Year in and year out, Pittsburgh's linebackers are among the best. Kendrell Bell is making big plays against the run (11.5 tackles for loss) and the pass (three sacks). The Bengals are solid, not spectacular, but are not forcing turnovers as they had earlier.

Edge: Steelers

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The pressure is on Artrell Hawkins, starting again for the injured Jeff Burris, and Hawkins will face ball-control specialist Ward. Long-armed Tory James will have to shut down Burress by himself, so the safeties can help Hawkins.

Rookie cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Chris Hope are pumping life into a Steelers secondary that's never as good as the seven in front of it.

Edge: Bengals

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bengals' kickoff return average is lowest in the league. Antwaan Randle El poses a threat in the punt-return game, but the Bengals have fared well stopping big returns.

Another deciding factor could be which kicker, Shayne Graham of the Bengals or Pittsburgh's Jeff Reed, fares better on one of the league's sloppiest, loosest fields.

Edge: Steelers

COACHING

Lewis has done more with less talent. Cowher has done less with more talent. Lewis is succeeding in convincing his team it belongs atop the division.

Edge: Bengals

• CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Bengals 24, Steelers 23

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