Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)Date: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011Kickoff: 1 p.m., ETSite: Heinz Field (65,500) • Pittsburgh, Pa.Playing Surface: GrassTV Coverage: CBS (locally KDKA-TV, channel 2)Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play)*Phil Simms (color analyst)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)National Radio: Westwood OneAnnouncers: Howard David (play-by-play) Tony Boselli (color analyst)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5
Steelers notes for Bengals game
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 51-24 (.680)/fifth seasonRegular-season record at Pittsburgh: 51-24 (.680)/fifth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-2/three yearsCincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin LewisOverall regular-season record: 67-71-1 (.486)/ninth seasonRegular-season record at Cincinnati: 67-71-1 (.486)/ninth season
Playoff Record/Years: 0-2/two years
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1970Overall: Pittsburgh leads 50-32At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 27-14At Cincinnati: Pittsburgh leads 23-18Neutral Sites: n/aLast Regular-Season Meeting: Oct. 13, 2011 (in Cincinnati)*Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 17Postseason Series: Pittsburgh leads 1-0(postseason record not included in overall series record)Pittsburgh leads the all-time regular-season series 50-32 and swept the season series last year for the sixth time since 2000 and for the third time under Head CoachMikeTomlin...Since Tomlin was named head coach in 2007 the Steelers are 7-2 against the Bengals...The Steelers are 6-4 against Cincinnati at Heinz Field, including 3-1 under Tomlin...Earlier this season Pittsburgh improved to 10-2 against Cincinnati at Paul
Brown Stadium with a 24-17 victory...QB Ben Roethlisberger is 7-1 at Paul Brown Stadium and 11-4 overall against the Bengals, the second most wins by any Steelers quarterback against Cincinnati (Terry Bradshaw, 13-9)...The Steelers had won eight straight games versus the Bengals in Cincinnati prior to their Week 3 loss in 2009...Pittsburgh owns a 26-11 mark against the Bengals *since the beginning of the Free Agency Era in 1993.
PITTSBURGH-CINCINNATI CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinwas the defensive backs coach at the University of Cincinnati from 1999-2000. Steelers assistant special teams coach Amos Joneswas also on the Bearcats' staff from 1999-2002.
• Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauworked two stints with the Cincinnati Bengals. LeBeau was on the Bengals' staff from 1980-1991 and from 1997-2002. He was the head coach of the Bengals from 2000-2002.
• Steelers S Will Allenwas born in Dayton, Ohio, just an hour north of Cincinnati.
• Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewiswas born in McDonald, Pa., thirty minutes southwest of Pittsburgh. Lewis coached for the University of Pittsburgh from 1990-1991. Lewis also served as the Steelers linebackers coach from 1992-1995. Lewis worked under LeBeau for those four seasons, helping create the famous "Blitzburgh Defense."
• Bengals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Paul Alexandercoached at Penn State University from 1982-1984.
• Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayesand tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes, who are brothers, were born in South Fayette, Pa., just minutes southwest of Pittsburgh. Jonathan coached with the Steelers from 1994-1996 and Jay coached with the Steelers from 1999-2001.
• Bengals wide receivers coach James Urbancoached at local Clarion University from 1997-1998.
• Bengals QB Bruce Gradkowskiwas born in Pittsburgh, Pa. He attended local Seton-LaSalle High School, where he set then-WPIAL and PIAA by throwing 30 touchdowns in a single season.
• Bengals WR Andrew Hawkinswas born in Johnstown, Pa.
• Bengals C/G Mike McGlynnattended the University of Pittsburgh. He started at right tackle for the Panthers from 2004-2007.
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavskyplayed for the Baltimore Ravens when Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons was on the Ravens' staff in 1998.
• Steelers RB Mewelde Moorewas a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 when Bengals defensive quality control coach David Lippincottwas on the Vikings' staff.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryand Bengals K Mike Nugent were teammates with the New York Jets from 2005-2008. Nugent was also teammates with Steelers CB Bryant McFaddenwith the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.
• Bengals S Chris Crockerplayed for the Cleveland Browns in 2003, when Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arianswas on the Browns' staff.
• Steelers WR Arnaz Battleand Bengals LB Manny Lawsonand CB Nate Clementswere teammates with the San Francisco 49ers from 2006-2009. Steelers special teams coordinator Al Everestwas on the 49ers' staff from 2007-2009.
• Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauwas on the Buffalo Bills' coaching staff in 2003 when Bengals CB Nate Clements played for the Bills.
• Steelers S Will Allenand Bengals QB Bruce Gradkowskiwere teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2006-2007.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers C Maurkice Pounceyand OT Marcus Gilbertwere teammates with Bengals DE Carlos Dunlapat the University of Florida from 2007-2009. All played key roles in the Gators' 2009 BCS National Championship. Pouncey, Gilbert and Dunlap were also teammates with Bengals WR Andre Caldwellat Florida for one year in 2007. Steelers OT Max Starkswas also teammates with Caldwell for one season with the Gators in 2003.
• Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyerand Bengals DE Michael Johnson were teammates at Georgia Tech from 2007-2008.
• Steelers CB William Gayand Bengals LB Brandon Johnson were teammates at the University of Louisville from 2004-2006.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryand Bengals LB Manny Lawson were teammates at North Carolina State University from 2002- 2003.
• Steelers OG Chris Kemoeatuand Bengals DE/DT Jonathan Fanenewere teammates at the University of Utah from 2003- 2004. Both played key roles in the Utes' 2005 Fiesta Bowl victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
• Steelers assistant head coach/defensive line coach John Mitchell and Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coylecoached at Arkansas together under Head Coach Lou Holtz in 1980.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• The Steelers look to improve to 331-208 all-time against AFC*opponents.• Pittsburgh looks to earn its seventh victory in the last eight games.• With a win, will improve to 51-32 against the Bengals during the regular season.• The Steelers look to win their fourth consecutive game against Cincinnati.• Pittsburgh looks to sweep the regular season series against the Bengals for the seventh time since 2000.• With a win will improve to 7-4 against the Bengals at Heinz Field.• The Steelers' defense looks to force at least two turnovers for the third consecutive game (two at Cincinnati and four at Kansas City). Over the past two games Pittsburgh has five interceptions and one fumble recovery.• With a win the Steelers will be 2-2 against AFC North teams this season.• Pittsburgh's defense will look to hold their 10th straight opponent to 23 points or less (0, 20, 17, 17, 13, 20, 17, 23, 17, 9).PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES*
Head Coach Mike Tomlin•With a win will become only the sixth head coach in NFL history*to win at least nine games in each of his first five seasons since the NFL merger in 1970. Tomlin will join George Seifert, Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, Chuck Knox and Mike Sherman.• Is one win away from becoming the second head coach in Steelers history to post a winning record in each of his first five seasons (Bill Cowher).• Needs one win to pass Buddy Parker (51-47, 1957-64) for the third most regular-season wins by a Steelers head coach.• Will look to improve to 8-2 against Cincinnati, including 4-1 at home, and sweep the Bengals for the fourth time in five seasons as head coach.• With a win will improve to 20-8 against teams in the AFC North. • Will look to improve to 52-24 overall and 29-9 at home during the regular season.
*QB Ben Roethlisberger• *Looks to throw for at least 300 yards for the fourth time in the last six games. Would mark the 20th 300-yard passing performance of Roethlisberger's career and the fifth of this season, tying a career-high for 300 passing games during the regular season (five in 2009).
*• *Looks for fourth 100.0 rating of the season and 45th of his career.
*• *Needs five completions to reach 250 completions on the season, extending his franchise record of seasons with 250 completions to five (2006-09).
• With a win will improve to 12-4 against the Bengals.
• Will look to improve to 78-32 as a starter and 43-13 at home.
• With a win will be 31-9 against the AFC North, including 16-5 at home.
*WR Hines Ward• Needs nine receiving yards to reach 12,000 for his career. He* would be 19th player in NFL history to reach the mark and the first in Steelers' history. Ward will become the third player in NFL history to reach 12,000 career receiving yards and win multiple Super Bowls (Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Art Monk).TE Heath Miller• Is 118 yards shy of passing Santonio Holmes (3,835) for ninth place on the Steelers all-time receiving yards list.• Needs five receptions to surpass Elbie Nickel (329) for the most receptions by a tight end in Steelers history.WR Antonio Brown• Will look to lead the Steelers in either receptions or receiving yards for the fifth consecutive game.RB Rashard Mendenhall • Needs one rushing touchdown to pass John Henry Johnson and Barry Foster (26) for the fifth-most in team history.• Is 103 yards away from passing Merril Hoge (3,115) for the 11th most career rushing yards in franchise history.WR Mike Wallace• With 100 yards receiving will record his 13th 100-yard receiving game of his career and the fifth of this season.• If Wallace records at least 100 yards receiving it will be his eighth 100 yard receiving game in the last 15 regular-season games.• Needs 61 yards to reach 1,000 for the second consecutive season *(1,257 in 2010).• Is six receptions shy of passing single season career-high of 60 set in 2010.
SS Troy Polamalu
• After returning a fumble 16 yards for the second fumble returned for a touchdown of his career vs. Indianapolis (Week 3), is one away from tying Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history.
• Needs one touchdown to move into a tie for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history:
• One interception shy of tying Jack Lambert (28) for the ninth-most in Steelers' history.
• Needs one interception return for a touchdown to tie Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff, Deshea Townsend and Tony Campagno (3) for the third-most in franchise history.
• Needs 41 yards to surpass Chad Scott (368) for the ninth-most interception return yards in a career in Steelers' history.
LB James Harrison
• After registering three sacks vs. Baltimore (Week 9) looks to become the third Steeler to register at least three sacks multiple times in one season since 1982 (Chad Brown, 1996, 2; Mike Merriweather, 1984, 3).
• Looks to record fifth career regular-season game with at least three sacks to tie Joey Porter (5) for the most 3 sack games during the regular season by a Steelers' player since 1982.
LB LaMarr Woodley
• Needs one sack to reach 10.0 on the season, becoming the first Steeler since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record four consecutive years with at least 10.0 sacks (2010 - 10.0, 2009 - 13.5, 2008 - 11.5).
• Two sacks shy of becoming the sixth Steeler to record 50 career sacks.
