Monday Night Football: Steelers at Bengals

Playing without its regular starting QB, Pittsburgh made the most out of September going 3-1 straight-up and against the spread (SU/ATS).

Ben Roethlisberger made his return in a Week 6 win against the Browns and hardly looked like he’s missed any time at all, as the Steelers evened their divisional record (1-1) with a 28-10 win.

Now is the final test for the first-half, a revenge game against the team that swept Pittsburgh in 2009. Adding to the challenge is that this trip to Paul Brown is the third consecutive road game for the Steelers.

PITTSBURGH AT CINCINNATI
Line: Steelers -5.5
Over/Under: 41

Sportsbooks are seeing healthy Steeler action and the line is now at -6 most places. The Total is sitting at 41, with “Over” money coming in at about a 65% clip.

Looking at the matchup:

Cincinnati’s offensive woes continued at home last week in a 22-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins. For the Bengals it was their fourth consecutive loss SU/ATS and fifth time in the past six games they have been held to 21 points or less.

In back-to-back home games last year the Bengals were much stronger in the second or third game, going 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS but comparing this year’s edition to 2009 has been costly for bettors. It’s not nearly as big a difference as the one between `09 and the previous 10 seasons but the defense cannot make a stand and the offense has looked out of sync.

Cincinnati has surrendered 138.3 rushing yards per game in its last three contests and it the defense needs to be ready for a heavy dose of the run from RB Mendenhall.

The Bengals will counter with RB Benson but we’re expecting QB Palmer to attack the secondary with his passing game.

Bettors Need to Know: The Steelers have allowed every single one of their opponents this year to surpass season averages in both passing yardage and completion percentage

The most notable difference was in Week 6 vs. Cleveland. The Browns average 191 passing yards per game and against Pittsburgh were 23-of-33 (70-percent) through the air for 258 yards.

In Week 8 a New Orleans team that averages 280 passing yards per game registered 288 yards through the air and completed 77-percent of their passes – seven points better than the season average.

Free Football Contest
Finish the football week off with some “Fantasy” type picks in this contest. You can add some excitement to tonight’s game with your picks and win a free $50.00.

Football Contest



Home underdogs this season are 11-5-1 ATS and the visitors for this contest have been attracting most of the action all week. It’s driven this line from an opener of Pittsburgh (-3.5) up two full points to -5.5 and then finally to -6.

The setup for this game favors the underdog and although Pittsburgh has a decided edge in Monday Night experience, they are just 1-5 ATS as a road favorite.
Pick: Take the Bengals

Statsystems report 11/8

STAN THE MAN'S STAT/SYSTEMS REPORT 11/8
NBA & MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
INFO WORTH BETTING ON ONE PAGE EACH DAY
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***** STAT/SYSTEMS SPORTS POWER SEARCH - NBA & NFL*****

*** TERREL OWENS PUTS REVIVED CAREER ON MNF ***
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The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers weren't able to sustain success after winning an AFC North title the previous season. It's a trend the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals are on pace to continue. The defending division champion Bengals hope to put an end to a painfully-long winless drought when the slumping club hosts the playoff-hopeful Steelers in a Week 9 Monday night showdown between AFC North rivals.

Cincinnati orchestrated one of the NFL's best turnarounds last season, bouncing back from a dreadful 4-11-1 campaign in 2008 to win 10 games and edge both Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division crown. This year's edition started off with wins in two of its first three tests, but has since lost four consecutive times to fall three games behind both the Steelers and the Ravens in the current AFC North standings. The Bengals have still been competitive during their lengthy skid, as all four of the defeats have been by eight points or less and the team had a second- half lead in three of those games.

Cincinnati held an eight-point advantage late in the second quarter of last Sunday's clash with Miami, but its offense went cold after halftime and the Dolphins put up 16 unanswered points to come away with a 22-14 victory. The Bengals mustered a mere 78 total yards and five first downs over the final 30 minutes, with up-and-down quarterback Carson Palmer completing just 8-of-22 passes for 52 yards during that span.

While the talented Bengals have been viewed as underachievers, Pittsburgh exceeded most insiders' expectations by compiling a 3-1 record while starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger began the season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The Steelers tacked on two more wins once Roethlisberger returned, but couldn't maintain the momentum in a 20-10 road setback to reigning Super Bowl champ New Orleans in Week 8.

Pittsburgh had its lowest offensive output this season with Roethlisberger under center, gaining a modest 279 total yards and 13 first downs against the Saints, while a usually air-tight defense was shredded for 305 passing yards by New Orleans triggerman Drew Brees and gave up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. The loss, the Steelers' first in four away dates so far in 2010, placed Pittsburgh in a tie with Baltimore for the top spot in the AFC North with a 5-2 record.

Cincinnati fell to 1-2 at home with last week's verdict and has now dropped nine of its past 12 overall games, which includes a loss to the visiting New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs this past January, dating back to last season. The Bengals also often haven't fared well when facing Pittsburgh in recent years, and especially so on their home turf. The Steelers had prevailed in eight straight trips to Paul Brown Stadium, including a win in the 2005 AFC Playoffs, before Cincinnati came through with a 23-20 decision during September of last season.

• SERIES HISTORY
----------------------
The Steelers lead the all-time regular season series with the Bengals, 47-32, but were swept in last year's home-and-home with their longtime division rival. As previously noted, Cincinnati was a 23-20 home winner when the teams met in Week 3, and completed its first sweep of Pittsburgh since 1998 with an 18-12 win at Heinz Field in Week 10. The Steelers had a five-game winning streak in the series entering 2009, including home-and-home sweeps in 2007 and 2008.

With a win on Monday, the Bengals will have their first three-game winning streak over the Steelers since taking six in a row from 1988-90. That period also ranks as the last time Pittsburgh lost in Cincinnati in back-to-back seasons. In addition to their regular-season advantage, the Steelers also scored a 31-17 road win over the Bengals in the 2005 playoffs.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is 5-10 all-time against the Steelers, for whom he served as a linebackers coach from 2002 through 2005, while Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin is 4-2 against both Lewis and Cincinnati as a head coach.

• WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL
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Though it wasn't evident last week, the Pittsburgh offense has become a more balanced and dangerous outfit with Roethlisberger (754 passing yards, 5 TD, 2 INT) at the controls. The Steelers have averaged 239.3 passing yards in the three games the two-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller has started, an upgrade of more than 100 yards from the ones managed by substitutes Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch, and go-to receiver Hines Ward (27 receptions, 3 TD) has seen a noticeable spike in his numbers during Big Ben's tenure.

One player who hasn't benefited from the switch is running back Rashard Mendenhall (603 rushing yards, 6 TD, 11 receptions), who hasn't eclipsed 84 rushing yards in any of Roethlisberger's starts after totaling 411 yards over the first four weeks as the offense's centerpiece. The third-year pro did rip off a 38-yard run for Pittsburgh's lone touchdown against the Saints, but was held to just 33 yards on his other 14 attempts. New Orleans also did a good job of taking away the big-play ability of wide receiver Mike Wallace (17 receptions, 4 TD), the NFL's leader in yards per catch (23.4 avg.) this season, and getting Roethlisberger out of rhythm by applying persistent pressure. The Pittsburgh field general has been sacked six times over the past two weeks and was taken down a league-high 50 times a year ago.

Roethlisberger may not have to worry about having inadequate time to throw on Monday, considering the Bengals have been horrendous at getting to the quarterback all season long. Cincinnati has produced a paltry six sacks through the first seven games, and two have come on blitzes by free safety Chris Crocker (40 tackles, 2 sacks). That dearth of a pass rush, not to mention a high ankle sprain suffered by standout cornerback Johnathan Joseph (15 tackles, 1 INT), has had a profound effect on a defense that comes in ranked 20th in passing yards allowed (221.3 ypg).

Joseph is expected to return from his two-game absence this week, however, and will again team with counterpart Leon Hall (23 tackles, 4 INT, 7 PD) to provide the strength of a unit that hasn't come close to matching the level of play it did during last year's playoff run. The Bengals have particularly struggled against the run, having surrendered an average of 132.8 rushing yards per game over their present losing streak. Starting strong safety Roy Williams (17 tackles) hasn't been present for three of those defeats due to a sprained knee, but the brittle ex-Cowboy should be ready to go on Monday and assist in that area.

• WHEN THE BENGALS HAVE THE BALL
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No team has been able to effectively run the ball on the Steelers this year, so the onus will be on Palmer (1855 passing yards, 12 TD, 7 INT) to get the Bengals moving down the field with his erratic right arm. It's hard to gauge what to expect from the former Heisman Trophy winner, as he followed up a three-interception showing in a Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay with a brilliant 412- yard, three-touchdown display against Atlanta, then hit on an awful 17-of-38 throws for 156 and was picked off twice by the Dolphins last week.

One constant contributor to Cincinnati's sixth-rated pass offense (265.0 ypg) has been wideout Terrell Owens (45 receptions, 629 yards, 5 TD), with the controversial veteran averaging nearly 120 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns over the past four games, and flashy running mate Chad Ochocinco (39 receptions, 458 yards, 2 TD) and a pair of rookies -- slot receiver Jordan Shipley (24 receptions, 1 TD) and tight end Jermaine Gresham (29 receptions, 2 TD) -- give Palmer plenty of good weapons to work with. The Bengals also possess a quality running back in Cedric Benson (545 rushing yards, 9 receptions, 3 total TD) but have had a hard time getting him untracked, as the ex-Bears first-round choice has had only one 100-yard game this year after breaking that barrier a club-record seven times last season.

While the Steelers have routinely shut down opposing running backs, the past few weeks have shown that this is a team that can be thrown on. Brees was a sharp 33-of-44 for 305 yards and two scores in last Sunday's matchup, while Cleveland rookie Colt McCoy hung 281 yards on Pittsburgh in his NFL regular- season debut two weeks prior. The Steelers have generated a solid 20 sacks on the season, and outside linebackers James Harrison (49 tackles, 6 sacks) and LaMarr Woodley (24 tackles, 3.5 sacks) will need to do their thing once again on Monday to protect cornerbacks Bryant McFadden (44 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Ike Taylor (38 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PD) against Cincinnati's formidable cast of receivers.

Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (74 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) will also be asked to blitz extensively in esteemed coordinator Dick LeBeau's aggressive scheme, and the fourth-year standout is also one of the pillars of a defense that's yielding a minuscule 58.9 rushing yards per game and 2.6 yards per attempt. A banged-up line anchored by sturdy nose tackle Casey Hampton (6 tackles, 1 sack) is slated to get unheralded end Brett Keisel (12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) back from a hamstring strain that kept him out of the team's past two outings.

*STAN'S FORECASTER - Pittsburgh by 5; O/U 40
*STAN'S POWER LINE - Pittsburgh -4.5
*OUTPLAY FACTOR - Pittsburgh -6.78
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• TOP RATED TEAM ATS TRENDS
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--CINCINNATI is 8-21 ATS (-15.2 Units) vs. awful passing defenses - allowing a comp. pct. of 64% or worse since 1992.
The average score was CINCINNATI 18.4, OPPONENT 25.5 - (Rating = 3*)

--CINCINNATI is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 14.1, OPPONENT 21.1 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 80-52 ATS (+22.8 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 24.4, OPPONENT 16.0 - (Rating = 4*)

--PITTSBURGH is 50-29 ATS (+18.1 Units) vs. excellent punt coverage teams, allowing <= 7.5 yards per return since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 22.1, OPPONENT 16.8 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 47-27 ATS (+17.3 Units) vs. poor punt return teams, less than 7.5 yards per return since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 23.4, OPPONENT 17.4 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 49-29 ATS (+17.1 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 22.9, OPPONENT 15.8 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 25% to 40%) since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 20.3, OPPONENT 19.9 - (Rating = 2*)

• TOP RATED TEAM OVER/UNDER TRENDS
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--CINCINNATI is 10-1 UNDER (+8.9 Units) vs. mistake free teams - 42 or less penalty yards per game over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 14.4, OPPONENT 19.5 - (Rating = 2*)

--CINCINNATI is 8-1 UNDER (+6.9 Units) vs. awful passing defenses - allowing a comp. pct. of 64% or worse over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 14.4, OPPONENT 22.7 - (Rating = 1*)

--CINCINNATI is 8-1 UNDER (+6.9 Units) in a home game where the total is between 38.5 and 42 points over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 16.1, OPPONENT 13.4 - (Rating = 1*)

--CINCINNATI is 6-0 OVER (+6.0 Units) vs. good defensive teams who give up 17 or less points/game over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 11.5, OPPONENT 33.2 - (Rating = 1*)

--PITTSBURGH is 29-10 UNDER (+18.0 Units) in road games after 1 or more consecutive losses since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 17.2, OPPONENT 17.3 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 74-51 OVER (+17.9 Units) after allowing 75 or less rushing yards last game since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 22.4, OPPONENT 18.5 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 13-3 OVER (+9.7 Units) after having won 2 out of their last 3 games over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 26.3, OPPONENT 16.0 - (Rating = 2*)

--PITTSBURGH is 8-1 OVER (+6.9 Units) after 2 or more consecutive losses against the spread over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 26.8, OPPONENT 21.9 - (Rating = 1*)

• TOP RATED TEAM FIRST HALF TRENDS
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--CINCINNATI is 47-69 against the 1rst half line (-28.9 Units) as an underdog of 2.5 to 6 points vs. the first half line since 1992.
The average score was CINCINNATI 7.9, OPPONENT 13.9 - (Rating = 4*)

--CINCINNATI is 25-10 against the 1rst half line (+14.0 Units) in home games after playing a game at home since 1992.
The average score was CINCINNATI 12.0, OPPONENT 9.5 - (Rating = 2*)

--CINCINNATI is 7-0 against the 1rst half line (+7.0 Units) in home games vs. poor passing defenses - allowing a comp. pct. of 61% or worse over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 15.0, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 2*)

--CINCINNATI is 8-1 against the 1rst half line (+6.9 Units) in home games vs. good passing teams with a completion pct. of 61% or better over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 15.2, OPPONENT 6.9 - (Rating = 2*)

--PITTSBURGH is 80-51 against the 1rst half line (+23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points vs. the first half line since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 12.5, OPPONENT 7.8 - (Rating = 3*)

--PITTSBURGH is 51-27 against the 1rst half line (+21.3 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 13.0, OPPONENT 7.6 - (Rating = 3*)

• TOP RATED TEAM FIRST HALF OVER/UNDER TRENDS
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--CINCINNATI is 26-13 OVER (+11.7 Units) the 1rst half total as a home underdog of 2 to 3.5 points vs. the 1rst half line since 1992.
The average score was CINCINNATI 9.1, OPPONENT 15.2 - (Rating = 2*)

--CINCINNATI is 9-2 OVER (+6.8 Units) the 1rst half total off 1 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 13.3, OPPONENT 11.9 - (Rating = 1*)

--CINCINNATI is 6-0 OVER (+6.0 Units) the 1rst half total after 2 or more consecutive losses against the spread over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was CINCINNATI 10.2, OPPONENT 14.5 - (Rating = 1*)

--PITTSBURGH is 80-42 OVER (+33.8 Units) the 1rst half total after allowing 75 or less rushing yards last game since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 12.2, OPPONENT 9.7 - (Rating = 4*)

--PITTSBURGH is 64-38 OVER (+22.2 Units) the 1rst half total after outrushing opponent by 75 or more yards last game since 1992.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 11.8, OPPONENT 9.7 - (Rating = 3*)

• HIGHEST RATED SUPER SITUATIONS
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--PLAY ON - Favorites of 2 to 6 points vs. the first half line (PITTSBURGH) - outrushing their opponents by 40 or more yards/game on the season, after allowing 30 or less rushing yards last game.
(27-6 since 1983.) (81.8%, +20.4 units. Rating = 5*)

The average first half line posted in these games was: Team favored by 3.5
The average first half score in these games was: Team 14.2, Opponent 5.4 (Average first half point differential = +8.8)

The situation's record this season is: (0-0).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (2-1).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (3-1).
Over the last 10 seasons the situation's record is: (10-3).

--PLAY ON - Road teams (PITTSBURGH) - off a road loss, in November games.
(40-11 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.4%, +27.9 units. Rating = 4*)

The straight up record of the team this system pertains to is : (31-22 over the last 5 seasons.)
The average line posted in these games was: Opponent favored by 3.6
The average score in these games was: Team 20.1, Opponent 17.9 (Average point differential = +2.1)
The number of games in which this system covered the spread by 7 or more points was 23 (46.9% of all games.)

The situation's record this season is: (0-0).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (24-3).
Over the last 10 seasons the situation's record is: (64-31).
Since 1983 the situation's record is: (128-79).

--PLAY OVER - Road teams vs. the 1rst half total (PITTSBURGH) - off 1 or more consecutive unders, a good defensive team (14-18 PPG) against a poor defensive team (23-27 PPG).
(36-13 over the last 10 seasons.) (73.5%, +21.7 units. Rating = 3*)

The average first half total posted in these games was: 20.4
The average first half score in these games was: Team 11.7, Opponent 10.9 (Total first half points scored = 22.6)

The situation's record this season is: (0-1).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (10-2).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (14-6).
Since 1983 the situation's record is: (75-54).

--PLAY OVER - Road teams where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points (PITTSBURGH) - with a good rushing defense - allowing 90 or less rushing yards/game.
(61-29 over the last 5 seasons.) (67.8%, +29.1 units. Rating = 2*)

The average total posted in these games was: 39.1
The average score in these games was: Team 22.9, Opponent 22.2 (Total points scored = 45.1)
The number of games in which this system covered the total by 7 or more points was 38 (41.3% of all games.)

The situation's record this season is: (4-2).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (31-15).
Over the last 10 seasons the situation's record is: (86-66).
Since 1983 the situation's record is: (235-232).
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• • • • • MONDAY NIGHT 22-2 ATS NFL WINNER! • • • • •
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Cincinnati and Pittsburgh knock helmets in a key AFC North matchup on Monday, and Stan is going to be right there with his 22-2 ATS, 91.6% Awesome Winning Angle inside the game. "Be sure to get it now, and win once again with 'The Man on Monday night!"

Steelers at Bengals: What Bettors Need To Know

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (+5, 41)

Current Odds

The Steelers opened as 3.5-point road favorites last week and the money has since pushed the line higher. Pittsburgh is now a 5 to 5.5-point favorite. This is not a surprise as 63 percent of the public is backing the favorite according to the Covers.com consensus.

The public is more split on the total as only 54 percent is favoring the over. Oddsmakers opened the total as high as 42.5 last week, but it has since dropped down to the key number of 41 in most locations.

Weather will not be an issue tonight as the forecast is calling for clear conditions in Cincinnati with a kickoff temperature of 37-degrees.

Injury Report

The Steelers are healthy and enter tonight’s game with only a few injuries. Offensive tackles Flozell Adams and Chris Scott are both listed as questionable, while defensive end Brett Keisel is probable and expected to play tonight.

The Bengals are more banged up, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Cincinnati lost cornerback Adam Jones to a season-ending neck injury two weeks ago. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson injured his knee last week and is listed as questionable, along with linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy who is battling an ankle injury.

Defensive end Jonathan Fanene has been downgraded to doubtful with a hamstring injury, while defensive backs Chinedum Ndukwe, Roy Williams and Johnathan Joseph are all listed as probable and expected to play tonight.

3rd Down Blues

The Cincinnati offense can’t seem to get out of its own way this season. The Bengals have scored 21 points or less in five of their seven games, and the two games they scored 24 and 32 points were games they were trailing by double digits and scored in garbage time.

A big reason for their lack of production has been their inability to convert on 3rd down. The Bengals had five straight three and outs in their last game against the Dolphins and were just 2-for-12 on 3rd down in that game.

The Bengals are 20th in the league in 3rd-down efficiency (37.3 percent) and quarterback Carson Palmer is 27th in 3rd-down passing, going 40-82 for 431 yards and a QB rating of 62.6. He is one of only four quarterbacks in the NFL with a completion percentage on 3rd down below 50 percent.

“We put ourselves in some third and long situations instead of using the run game to get into third and short or third and mediums,” Palmer told reporters this week. “Being able to bring a four-man rush and still get coverage is a good combination for a defensive team.”

Double Revenge

Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati twice last season; 23-20 on the road and 18-12 at home. Those results were surprising since the Steelers were 5-1 straight up and against the spread vs. the Bengals the three previous seasons. Pittsburgh’s offense was terrible in both games, and the club's players remember those ugly games well.

”I remember the offense sputtering,” Pittsburgh tight end Health Miller said. “Our defense kept us in the games, but we couldn't really get anything going. They baffled us on third downs.

"We need to understand what we’re up against going into this game. This is a make-or-break game in their season and we’re only 1-1 in our division. We need to really play well if we're going to go in there and get a victory.”

Before scoring just 10 points in New Orleans last week, Pittsburgh's offense scored 51 points in the two games with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back under center. The Steelers should score in this game as the Bengals defense has allowed 22, 39, 24, and 23 points over their last four games.

Struggling Secondary

Pittsburgh’s defense has good overall numbers on the season. The Steelers allow just 15 points and 302 yards per game while holding teams to just 5.0 yards per play.

Those overall numbers hide the fact that Pittsburgh’s secondary is really struggling this season - 243 yards of their 302 yards allowed come through the air. The Steelers rank just 25th in the NFL is passing defense.

In their last four games, they’ve allowed Drew Brees to complete 34 of 44 passes for 305 yards, Chad Henne 257 passing yards, rookie Colt McCoy 281 yards and Joe Flacco 256 passing yards. Those numbers are unlike the Steelers so there’s got to be something wrong with their back seven.

“I think there are times in games where there were a lot of opportunities to make plays, and I didn't make them,” Troy Polamalu said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with anything physical with me, and maybe I'm second-guessing myself a little too much.”

NFL NEWS AND NOTES
Tale Of The Tape: Steelers at Bengals
By Covers Staff



Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (+5, 41)

Offense:

Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t hit its stride with Ben Roethlisberger taking the snaps. Big Ben is averaging 9.2 yards per attempt with five touchdowns to two interceptions in his three starts. The Steelers’ offensive line is tied for 24th in the league allowing 28 quarterback hits, while the passing offense averages only 180.3 yards per game, 29th in the NFL.

The Steelers’ running game has been average, putting up 117.3 yards per game. Rashard Mendenhall leads the way with 603 yards and six touchdowns.

Carson Palmer isn’t on the same page with his receivers yet either. Palmer sits third in the league with 40.3 passing attempts per game, but averages only 6.6 yards per attempt as he checks in with a 59.6 completion percentage.

Cedric Benson leads the rushing attack with 545 rushing yards on 3.8 yards per carry. He went off for a 144-yard day in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, but cracked 80 yards in only one other game this season.

Pittsburgh averages 21 points per game to Cincinnati’s 20.9.

Edge: Bengals

Defense:

Pittsburgh owns the league’s No. 4 total defense and allows a league-low 14.6 points per game. The Steelers only give up 58.9 yards per contest, which is more than 20 yards better than the league’s next best run defense from the Chicago Bears. Lawrence Timmons sits tied for sixth with 74 tackles, while James Harrison has six sacks.

Cincinnati’s defense gives up 23.3 points per game and struggles stopping the run or the pass, giving up 120.7 yards on the ground and 221.3 yards through the air per game. The Bengals have managed just six quarterback sacks this season, tied for the worst output in the NFL. Leon Hall leads the club with four interceptions.

Edge: Steelers

Special teams:

Cincinnati owns the sixth-best field goal percentage at 87.5 percent, but averages only 20 yards per kick return and 6.9 yards on punt returns.

Pittsburgh sits third in the league with 28.4 yards per kick return. The Steelers managed only 7.1 yards on punt returns. The club averages 46.9 yards per punt with 13 free catches, but hits only 70.9 percent of its field goals.

Edge: Steelers

From The Files Of The Beat Reporters:

"They can make it 75 percent and it wouldn't bother me, because mostly they're throwing screens, quick hitches and curls. It's not like they're picking up big yardage every time they throw." – Steelers safety Troy Polamalu told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about opposing quarterbacks completing 68 percent of their attempts against Pittsburgh this season.

"Marvin never brings it up or anything like that. That's his business and something he is dealing with, and we as players are trying to stick together and find a way to get out a win." – Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer told the Observer-Reporter.com about coach Marvin Lewis and the speculation the Bengals could be playing to save his job this week.

Final Score Prediction:

Pittsburgh 17, Cincinnati 10

Gambler World
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:

Sport: NFL

Game: 8:30PM Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Play On: Pittsburgh (-3.5)

Current Line: Pittsburgh (-3.5)

Over/Under: 42.5

Preview: Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals meet at Paul Brown Stadium.

Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game's total is sitting at 42½.

Last time out for Pittsburgh, they were a 20-10 loser as they battled the Saints on the road. The Steelers failed to cover in the match as a 1-point underdog, while 30 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

In their last action, Cincinnati was a 22-14 loser at home against the Dolphins. They failed to cover the 1–point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (36) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Current streak:
Cincinnati has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS
Cincinnati: 2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in November are 6-4
When playing on turf are 5-5
After being outgained are 9-1
When playing within the division are 5-5

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in November are 5-4-1
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing within the division are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 9 games

trends


Monday, November 8

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PITTSBURGH (5 - 2) at CINCINNATI (2 - 5) - 11/8/2010, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 80-52 ATS (+22.8 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 49-29 ATS (+17.1 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1992.
CINCINNATI is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 53-77 ATS (-31.7 Units) versus division opponents since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-2 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CINCINNATI is 2-2 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Monday, 11/8/2010
PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI, 8:30 PM ET
PITTSBURGH: 14-5 ATS at Cincinnati
CINCINNATI: 9-20 ATS vs. conference opponents



NOVEMBER 8, 8:30 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cincinnati is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

Cincinnati... Bengals continue to trend "under" at home, now 2-1 this season and 21-9 last 30 at Paul Brown Stadium since late ‘06.



Pittsburgh... Steelers have trended "over" at Heinz Field for much of this decade ("over" 51-28 last 79 since early in the ‘01 season), although that hasn’t been as pronounced since HC Mike Tomlin arrived in ‘07 (just 16-14 since). Steelers also "over" 9-4 last 13 away.



PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI (Monday, November 8)... Bengals won and covered both meetings LY after Steelers had won and covered previous five. Steelers were also 7-0-1 vs. line previous 8 at Paul Brown Stadium. Marvin Lewis just 4-8 vs. line at home since LY and "under" 10-4 last 14 as host. Tech edge-Steelers and "under," based on extended series and "totals" trends.