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Saturday, November 25, 2000

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

STEELERS (5-6) AT BENGALS (2-9)
1 P.M., PAUL BROWN STADIUM

WHEN BENGALS HAVE THE BALL

Bengals run offense vs. Steelers run defense

Bengals rank 2nd in the NFL

Steelers rank 15th in the NFL

Corey Dillon is similar in style to Jacksonville's Fred Taylor, who rushed for 234 yards on 30 carries last week against the Steelers, most ever by an opponent. But Dillon is probably stronger, which makes him even more difficult to contain than Taylor. The Steelers did a good job in the first meeting, holding Dillon to 36 yards on 15 carries, Since then, however, the Bengals have focused more on their ground game and concentrated on getting the ball to Dillon at least 22 times a game. He has responded with the NFL single-game rushing record -- 278 yards on 22 carries against Denver Oct. 22 -- and followed that with 137 yards against Cleveland, giving him a two-game total of 415 yards, third best in league history. Dillon has averaged 122.2 yards the past five games, but the Bengals have a lot of injuries along the offensive line. Right tackle Rod Jones was hospitalized last week after having irregular breathing and chest pains during the final offensive series against the Patriots. Former Steelers' first-round Jamain Stephens is likely to start in his place. Left guard Matt O'Dwyer, whose ankle was broken in the third quarter last week, will be replaced by Scott Rehberg. C Rich Braham, who missed seven games because of injury, is starting his third game since returning.
Edge: Bengals

Bengals pass offense vs. Steelers pass defense

Bengals rank 31st in the NFL

Steelers rank 6th in the NFL

Scott Mitchell, who was inept as a relief pitcher the first time the Bengals played the Steelers, was moved into the starting lineup last week against the Patriots and helped the Bengals to one of their best offensive efforts of the season, compiling 25 first downs and 365 total yards. But Mitchell sprained his knee and is not expected to play against the Steelers, meaning Akili Smith will go back into the lineup. If there is a team with more passing problems than the Steelers, it's the Bengals. Smith has completed just 43.7 percent of his passes for 1,124 yards and just two touchdowns. His passer rating is 50.1. Mitchell isn't much better, completing 46.3 percent of his passes for 372 yards and one touchdown. Together, they have thrown 11 interceptions. No. 1 pick Peter Warrick, one of three rookie receivers used by the Bengals, leads the team with 37 catches and 417 yards after catching a season-best seven passes last week against the Patriots. Warrick also has been a threat running reverses, with 11 rushes for 143 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown.
Edge: Steelers

WHEN STEELERS HAVE THE BALL

Steelers run offense vs. Bengals run defense

Steelers rank 5th in the NFL

Bengals rank 19th in the NFL

Jerome Bettis had only 12 carries for 57 yards last week against the Jaguars, which isn't enough carries for the Bus. Bettis is second in the AFC in rushing and needs 74 yards for his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season with the Steelers. Bettis missed two days of practice with a lower leg contusion, but that doesn't matter. He has played with every variety of injury this season without missing a step. Bettis had 101 yards on 29 carries in the first meeting. The Steelers will play their third game in a row without center Dermontti Dawson (hamstring), who could resume practicing this week. That means backup center Roger Duffy will have to do a good job on former Steelers defensive tackle Oliver Gibson, who controls the inside for the Bengals. Cincinnati's best player has been outside linebacker Takeo Spikes, who leads the team with 95 tackles and has two interceptions.
Edge: Steelers

Steelers pass offense vs. Bengals pass defense

Steelers rank 29th in the NFL

Bengals rank 20th in the NFL

The Steelers insist they are making strides in the passing game, but it continues to rank among the worst in the NFL. The only reliable receivers have been Hines Ward and Bobby Shaw, and each of them dropped passes last week against the Jaguars. That has been a problem that has afflicted all the receivers, especially first-round draft pick Plaxico Burress, who has been replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Courtney Hawkins. The Steelers added veteran Will Blackwell to the active roster this week after being on the physically unable to perform list since training camp. Blackwell likely will be activated for the game and could see some action when the team goes to five wide receivers. This is the fifth consecutive start for Kordell Stewart, who did not play against the Bengals in the first meeting. He should be able to have success deep against the Bengals corners, particularly rookie Robert Bean, a fifth-round choice who was moved into the starting lineup last week.
Edge: Bengals

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bengals kicker Neil Rackers has not been a model of consistency, converting just 9 of 15 field-goal attempts, just 1 of 5 from beyond 40 yards. Their punter, Daniel Pope, is averaging 40.8 yards with a 33.3 net average, both among the worst in the AFC. The Bengals want to get Warrick involved on punt returns because they're trying to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Their kick returner, Tremain Mack, is averaging 22.7 yards on 33 returns. Special teams have been hurting the Steelers. Two weeks ago they failed to come up with an onside kick against the Eagles; last week, kicker Kris Brown missed a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that would have cut the Jacksonville lead to seven points. Still, it's better than what the Bengals have.
Edge: Steelers

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, the Bengals must ...

1. Get Dillon yards on first down. That will keep the Bengals out of obvious passing situations, something they want to avoid against the Steelers blitzes.

2. Stop Bettis. They have to force Stewart to throw the ball and keep the Steelers out of short-yardage situations.

3. Contain Stewart. The Bengals don't want to be too aggressive up front because the Steelers' quarterback will burn them with his feet.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Pressure the quarterback. They can disrupt the Bengals' passing game easily by forcing Mitchell or Smith into quick decisions.

2. Stop the cutback. Dillon, like Fred Taylor, likes to get a lot of yards cutting back against the flow, and the Steelers have to be sure not to over-pursue.

3. Attack with Jason Gildon. The left outside linebacker has eight sacks and will probably be facing his former teammate, Jamain Stephens.