Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)Date: Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012Kickoff: 8:20 p.m., ETSite: Paul Brown Stadium (65,515) • Cincinnati, OhioPlaying Surface: SyntheticTV Coverage: NBC (locally WPXI-TV, channel 11)Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play)*Cris Collinsworth (analyst) Michele Tafoya (sideline)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)National Radio: Dial Global Radio Sports Dave Sims (play-by-play) James Lofton (analyst) Steve Tasker (sideline)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 57-28 (.671)/sixth season
Regular-season record at Pittsburgh: 57-28 (.671)/sixth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-3/four yearsCincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin LewisOverall regular-season record: 72-77-1 (.483)/10th seasonRegular-season record at Cincinnati: 72-77-1 (.483)/10th seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 0-3/three years
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1970Overall: Pittsburgh leads 51-32At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 28-14At Cincinnati:Pittsburgh leads 23-18Neutral Sites: n/a
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Dec. 4, 2011* *(in Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh 35, Cincinnati 7
Postseason Series: Pittsburgh leads 1-0
Last Postseason Meeting:Jan. 8, 2006 (in Cincinnati)
Pittsburgh 31, Cincinnati 17 (Wild Card Playoffs)
(postseason record not included in overall series record)
Pittsburgh swept the season series last year for the seventh time since 2000 and for the fourth time under Head Coach Mike Tomlin...Tomlin-led Steelers teams have won eight times in 10 matchups against Cincinnati, with the only losses coming from a Bengals' season sweep in 2009...Pittsburgh has won the last four games in the series and could match its longest winning streak since the team won five straight from 2006-2008…The Steelers 35-7 rout of the Bengals in Pittsburgh last year was the largest margin of victory for either team since another 28-point Steelers' win (38-10) in 2008 at Cincinnati…Before 2008, the last time either team had a margin of victory greater than 28 points was a 41-10 Bengals win in 1989…Since the series began, the Steelers and Bengals have faced each other twice every season except for 1982, when the only matchup resulted in an 26-20 (ot)Pittsburgh win…The teams also faced each other three times in 2005, with the third matchup being a Steelers postseason victory en route to their fifth Super Bowl victory.
STEELERS-BENGALS CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinwas the defensive backs coach at the University of Cincinnati from 1999-2000. Steelers 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., only 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 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 Clarion University from 1997-1998.
• Bengals QB Bruce Gradkowskiwas born in Pittsburgh, Pa. He attended local Seton-LaSalle Catholic High School, where he set a then-WPIAL and PIAA record by throwing 30 touchdowns in a single season.
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinand Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Grudenwere both members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff from 2002-2005.
• Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauwas the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2003 when Bengals S Nate Clementsplayed for the Bills.
• Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavskyplayed for the Baltimore Ravens when Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmonswas on the Ravens' staff in 1998.
• Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haleywas the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-2011 when Bengals DE Wallace Gilberrywas on the Chiefs' squad. Steelers TE Leonard Popewas also a member of those teams and was teammates
with Gilberry from 2009-2011.
• In 2009, Steelers LB Larry Foote'sonly season not with Pittsburgh, Foote and Bengals HB Cedric Peermanwere teammates with the Detroit Lions.
• During his three separate stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Steelers K Shaun Suishamwas teammates with Bengals S Terrence Newman.The two played together for at least a part of the 2005, 2006, and 2009 seasons. Suisham was also a member of the Cowboys when Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was the Cowboys defensive coordinator (2005-06).
• Steelers LB Brandon Johnsonplayed for the Bengals from 2008- 2011 and captained Cincinnati's special teams units during the 2010 season.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryand Bengals K Mike Nugent were teammates with the New York Jets from 2005-2008. Cotchery was also a member of the Jets in 2010, when Bengals defensive backs coach Mark Carrierwas on the Jets' coaching staff.
• Steelers QB Byron Leftwichand Bengals S Chris Crocker, also former collegiate teammates, were teammates with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. That same season, Bengals assistant special teams/assistant defensive backs coach Hue Jacksonwas the Falcons offensive coordinator and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmerwas the Falcons defensive coordinator. While he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, Leftwich was teammates with Bengals C Jeff Faine.
• Steelers S Will Allenand Bengals QB Bruce Gradkowskiwere teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2006-2007.
• Steelers CB DeMarcus Van Dykeplayed his rookie season under Bengals assistant special teams/assistant defensive backs coach Hue Jackson, who was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers S Troy Polamaluand Bengals assistant special teams/ assistant defensive backs coach Hue Jacksonboth spent time together at the University of Southern California. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Polamalu was standout in the Trojans defensive backfield and Jackson was the offensive coordinator.
• Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, OT Marcus Gilbertand RB Chris Raineywere teammates with Bengals DE Carlos Dunlapat the University of Florida from 2007-2009. Together, they were a part of the Gators' 2009 BCS National Championship squad. Gilbert was also teammates with Bengals S Reggie Nelsonat Florida for the 2006 season.
• Steelers WR Mike Wallaceand Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Elliswere teammates at Ole Miss from 2006-2007.
• Steelers G Ramon Fosterand Bengals CB Jason Allenwere teammates at the University of Tennessee from 2004-2005.
• Steelers LB LaMarr Woodleyand Bengals CB Leon Hallplayed their entire collegiate careers together at Michigan University. The two played for Wolverines from 2003-2006.
• Steelers TE Leonard Popeand Bengals G/T Dennis Roland were teammates at the University of Georgia from 2003-2005. Pope and Roland also played with Bengals DE Robert Geathers during the 2003 season.
• Steelers P Drew Butlerwas teammates with a number of Bengals players during his time at the University of Georgia from 2007- 2011: G Geno Atkins(2007-2009), G Clint Boling(2007-2010), A.J. Green(2008-2010), and TE Orson Charles(2009-2011).
• Steelers QB Byron Leftwichwas teammates with Bengals S Chris Crockerat Marshall University from 1999-2002.
• Steelers S Will Allenand Bengals CB Nate Clementswere teammates at The Ohio State University for the 2000 season. Allen also played for the Buckeyes with Bengals K Mike Nugent from 2001-2003.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryand Bengals LB Manny Lawson were teammates at North Carolina State University from 2002-2003.
• 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.
• Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomeryheld the same position at Duke University from 2006-2009, the same years Bengals LB Vincent Reyplayed for the Blue Devils.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• With a win, Pittsburgh will be 52-32 against Cincinnati during the regular season, including 24-18 on the road.
• Pittsburgh looks to improve its record at Paul Brown Stadium to 11-2 during the regular season. The Steelers' 10 regular-season wins at Paul Brown Stadium are five more than any other NFL team (Baltimore: 5-7) that visits the venue.
• Pittsburgh is looking for its fifth consecutive win over the Bengals and its 10th in the last 12 games against Cincinnati.
• The Steelers look to improve to 334-212-1 all-time against AFC opponents, including the postseason.
• Pittsburgh is looking to improve its record to 19-6 against the Bengals during the regular season since 2000.
• The Steelers are looking for their first win in a primetime game this season after starting out 0-2.
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Head Coach Mike Tomlin• With a win, will improve to 58-28 during the regular season.
• Has the opportunity to improve to 9-2 against Cincinnati, including 4-1 on the road.
• Looks to improve his regular-season road record to 25-19.
• Has a chance to improve to 43-22 against AFC opponents during the regular season.
• Looks to improve to 19-9 in primetime games, including 10-6 on the road and 8-7 on Sunday Night Football.
• With a win, would improve to 16-6 during the month of October.
QB Ben Roethlisberger
•Is looking to throw for at least 360 yards for the third time this season, which would tie 2011 (3) for the second most times he has thrown for at least 360 yards in one season (2009, 4). It would also mark the second time in his career, as well as franchise history, that he has thrown for at least 360 yards in back-to-back weeks (Weeks 7 and 8 last season).
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Is one rushing touchdown shy of becoming the fifth player in franchise history with 30 career rushing touchdowns.
WR Mike Wallace
• If he records at least 100 yards receiving, it will mark the 14th 100- yard game of his career.
TE Heath Miller
• Needs two receiving touchdowns to tie Elbie Nickel (37) for the most receiving touchdowns by a Steelers' tight end.
S Troy Polamalu
• Needs one interception to become the ninth Steelers' player to record 30 career interceptions.
• With one fumble return for a touchdown, will tie Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history.
• Is one defensive touchdown shy of tieing Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff and Jack Butler (5) for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history (Rod Woodson, 6).
• Needs one interception return for a touchdown to tie Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff, Deshea Townsend and Tony Campagno (3) for the fourth-most in franchise history.
LB James Harrison
• Needs one sack to tie Joey Porter (60.0) for second place on the Steelers' sacks list, dating back to 1982 when sacks became an official statistic.
LB LaMarr Woodley
• Looking for the third sack in the last four games he has played. LB Jason Worilds
• Needs one sack to pass his single-season career high of three, set in 12 games last season.
