Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)Date: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011Kickoff: 1:00 p.m., ETSite: Paul Brown Stadium (65,515) • Cincinnati, OhioPlaying Surface: SyntheticTV Coverage: CBS (locally KDKA-TV, channel 2)Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play)*Dan Fouts (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: Sports USAAnnouncers: Tom McCarthy (play-by-play) Ross Tucker (color analyst) Tony Graziani (sideline)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5Steelers notes for Bengals game
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 49-24 (.671)/fifth seasonRegular-season record at Pittsburgh: 49-24 (.671)/fifth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-2/three yearsCincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin LewisOverall regular-season record: 66-69-1 (.489)/ninth seasonRegular-season record at Cincinnati: 66-69-1 (.489)/ninth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 0-2/two years
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1970
Overall: Pittsburgh leads 48-32
At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 27-14
At Cincinnati: Pittsburgh leads 21-18
Neutral Sites: n/a
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Dec. 12, 2010 (in Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh 23, Cincinnati 7
Postseason Series: Pittsburgh leads 1-0
(postseason record not included in overall series record)
Pittsburgh leads the all-time regular-season series 48-32 and swept the season series last year for the sixth time since 2000 and for the third time under Head Coach Mike Tomlin...Since Tomlin was named head coach in 2007 the Steelers are 6-2 against the Bengals...Pittsburgh is 9-2 at against Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium, including a 27-21 victory last season...QB Ben Roethlisbergeris 6-1 at Paul Brown Stadium and 10-4 overall against the Bengals, the second most wins by any Steelers quarterback against Cincinnati (Terry Bradshaw, 13-9)...Pittsburgh had won the previous five games in the series...the Steelers had won eight straight games versus the Bengals in Cincinnati prior to their Week 3 loss in 2009...Pittsburgh owns a 25-11 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 LB LaMarr Woodleyand Bengals CB Leon Hallwere teammates at the University of Michigan from 2003-2006. Both were drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, with Hall going to the Bengals in the first round (18th overall) and Woodley going to the Steelers in the second round (46th overall). Woodley and Hall were also teammates at Michigan with Bengals CB Morgan Trentfrom 2005-2006.
• 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 329-208 all-time against AFC opponents.• Pittsburgh looks to earn its seventh victory in the last nine games.• Pittsburgh's defense will look to hold their eighth straight opponent*to 23 points or less (0, 20, 17, 17, 13, 20, 17, 23).• *Looking for third consecutive win over the Bengals.
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Head Coach Mike Tomlin•Looks to improve to 7-2 against Cincinnati, including 4-1 at Paul*Brown Stadium.• Will look to improve to 50-24 overall and 22-15 on the road during the regular season.• Looks to become the fourth head coach in Steelers history to reach 50 regular season wins (Chuck Noll-209, Bill Cowher-161, Raymond Parker-51). The Steelers will join the Giants (six), Packers (six), 49ers (four) and Colts (four) as the only franchises with at least four head coaches to win at least 50 regular-season games.QB Ben Roethlisberger• Looks to become the first Steelers' quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in four consecutive games. Would mark the 20th 300-yard passing performance of Roethlisberger's career.
* • *Will look to record his 18th consecutive game with at least 200 *yards passing.
*• *Looks for fourth 100.0 rating of the season and 45th of his career.
• Will look to improve to 76-32 as a starter.
*• *Looks to improve to 30-9 versus AFC North opponents.
*• *Looks to improve to 7-1 at Paul Brown Stadium and 11-4 overall against the Bengals during the regular season.
WR Hines Ward
• Needs 40 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 five yards shy of passing Roy Jefferson (3,671) for 10th place on the Steelers all-time receiving yards list.
• Needs eight receptions to tie Elbie Nickel (329) for the most receptions by a tight end in Steelers history.
WR Antonio Brown
• Will look to record his third 100 yard receiving in the past four games and second in a row. Over the last three weeks Brown has totaled 278 receiving yards on 21 receptions with one touchdown.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Needs one rushing touchdown to tie Dick Hoak (25) for the seventh-most in team history.
• Is 31 yards away from passing Frenchy Fuqua (2,942) for the 12th 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 13 regular-season games.
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 last week against Baltimore, looks to become the first Steeler and the 10th player in the NFL to record at least three sacks in back-to-back games since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The last NFL player to register at least three sacks in consecutive games was Green Bay LB Clay Matthews in 2010.
• Looks to become the third Pittsburgh Steelers' player 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 Steelers player 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).
K Shaun Suisham
• Needs 11 points to reach 500 for his career.
