The Steelers have owned the Bengals as of late.  They have won 8 in a row in Cincinnati and Ben Roethlisberger is 11-0 in his native state of Ohio since joining the Steelers.  But this isn’t a normal Steelers team as they just can’t run the football.  The Bengals only allow 82.0 yards rushing per game this season but 4.3 yards per carry so maybe this is a chance to get the running game going.  Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore are in a time share situation for the Steelers at RB and they need to have a good game here because Roethlisberger has been under intense heat from opposing pass rushes this season.  The Bengals’ weakness on defense this season has been the secondary so if the Steelers give Big Ben time to throw the ball he should be effective but that means keeping DE Antwan Odom (7 sacks) out of the backfield.

A key to the Bengals offense this season has been balance between the pass and the run.  It’s highly doubtful that Cedric Benson (217 yards rushing) will have much success against a Steelers’ D that is allowing only 64.5 yards rushing per game (3.0 ypc).  If the Steelers stop the running game then they can send everyone after Carson Palmer.  But, the Steelers only have 2 sacks this season and they have given up 233.0 yards passing per game.  They have injuries in the secondary so if the Bengals’ O-Line give him time to throw the ball Palmer should have some success.  This is a game where the Bengals could go to Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry more often then they have so far this season.  That is because the Steelers will no doubt be double covering Chad Ocho Cinco (9 rec, 180 yards, TD).

PREDICTION:  STEELERS 21, BENGALS 20