What to keep an eye on in regular-season game No. 13 against the Bengals:
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The Steelers prepare for the week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR:** The Steelers have won eight consecutive games in December, dating back to Dec. 15, 2013. Can they make it nine in a row with a second consecutive win in Cincinnati?
COUNTDOWN TO 100: WR Antonio Brown is seven catches shy of extending his franchise record with a third consecutive season of at least 100 receptions.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS: Brown is 124 punt-return yards short of passing Antwaan Randle El (1,650) for the most in Steelers' history and one punt-return TD from breaking a tie with Randle El (4) for sole possession of first place on the Steelers' all-time list. Brown had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Colts.
HISTORY BECKONS: Ben Roethlisberger is 293 passing yards shy of becoming the sixth QB in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards in 10 consecutive seasons.
CHASING No. 1: LB James Harrison is three sacks shy of surpassing LB Jason Gildon (77) for the No. 1 spot on the Steelers' all-time list. Harrison had three sacks during a sequence of 12 defensive snaps in the fourth quarter last Sunday night against Indianapolis.
RED-ZONE SHOWDOWN: The Bengals are No. 3 (tied) in red-zone offense (they score touchdowns 66.7 percent of the time) and the Steelers are No. 11 in red-zone defense (opponents score TDs at a 51.2-percent clip). Cincinnati is also No. 3. In red-zone defense (44.4) while Pittsburgh is No. 15 in red-zone offense (57.1 percent). Both teams went 1-for-3 in the red zone in the Bengals' 16-10 victory over the Steelers on Nov. 1 at Heinz Field.
TURNOVERS TELLING: The Bengals are 68-15-1 under head coach Marvin Lewis with a plus turnover differential and 16-58-1 under Lewis when they turn the ball over more than their opponent. Cincinnati is 26-19-0 under Lewis when the turnovers are even. The Bengals were plus 1 in their November victory at Heinz Field.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: The Bengals are 5-1 this season and 21-4-1 in their last 26 regular-season home games at Paul brown Stadium. The Steelers are 2-3 on the road this season with wins at St. Louis and at San Diego and losses at New England, at Kansas City and at Seattle.
