PREVIEW
PREVIEW
Steelers vs. Bengals
When: 1 p.m.TV/radio: WKBN (27), KDKA (2), WBBG-FM (106.1)Record vs. spread: Bengals 0-2, Steelers 2-1Series history: Steelers lead 39-28. Bengals beat Steelers 24-20 on Nov. 30, 2003, at Pittsburgh.Key match-up: Bengals LBs Kevin Hardy and Brian Simmons vs. Steelers RB Duce Staley. Either Hardy or Simmons, who started the season as OLBs, will move to the middle to replace Nate Webster, out for season after tearing the patella tendon in right knee. Cincinnati defense was already porous against run, allowing 166 yards per game and league-high 5.7 yards per carry. Staley has 249 yards this season, and gained over 90 yards in both of Pittsburgh's victories.Streaks, statistics and notes: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and Steelers coach Bill Cowher are Pittsburgh-area natives and faced each other as high school football players. ... Cowher is 17-7 against Bengals. Lewis is 1-1 against Steelers. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, No. 11 overall pick in last year's draft, last week became first Steelers rookie to win initial NFL start since Mike Kruczek in 1976.
Associated Press