Tuesday, September 16, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers vs. Bengals, 1 p.m. Sunday, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. TV: KDKA. Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network.

For the second week, the Steelers are No. 1 in offense and defense in the AFC, but there's a twist to the rankings. Their play in the running game on offense and defense, normally strengths, ranks low in the conference -- 14th on offense and 12th on defense. They are the top passing offense in the AFC and their pass defense, which slipped badly last season, ranks third in the conference.

"We had a little trouble stopping the run against Kansas City," LB James Farrior said. "Overall, we're playing pretty well, but we have to eliminate the little things and the small mistakes and then just eliminate the big plays. Coming off a game like we lost in Kansas City, we're kind of down because we know we could've played better."

The Steelers held Chiefs QB Trent Green to 125 yards passing and intercepted two passes, CB Chad Scott returned one of those for a touchdown. RB Priest Holmes, though, ran for 122 of Kansas City's 158 rushing yards. This Sunday the Steelers face Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon, who was the owner of the NFL rushing record until the Ravens' Jamal Lewis broke it two days ago. The Steelers held Lewis to 69 yards in the opener.

"It seems like every week we're going against a great running back," Farrior said. "This week is no different. After they watch our tape, they're going to want to run the ball, too, and try to do the same things Kansas City did. We're going to have to be prepared to stop the running game."

Few could blame the Steelers' defense for all those points Sunday in the 41-20 loss in Kansas City. Two touchdowns came from kickoff and interception returns, and another came after a 45-yard punt return to the 7. "It was frustrating for us," Farrior said of watching the special teams give up so much yardage. "It was a situation where it was something the defense couldn't control. We have a lot of guys from the defense on special teams, so we have to pick it up in that aspect. I'm on the punt team. I have to pick it up as well. I think we need more of a sense of urgency, and we need guys with the right attitude. I think special teams is all attitude."

There's a chance LB Joey Porter will play Sunday in Cincinnati after recovering from a gunshot wound Aug. 31. Porter, who has been running and lifting, wanted to play in Kansas City. "I hope so," Farrior said. "We've missed him a lot, and we're trying to get him back. He has to take his time, because you can't rush things like that."

QB Tommy Maddox has been sacked six times in two games, a pace far greater than last season, when the Steelers allowed only 34 quarterback sacks. Maddox was sacked four times Sunday and hit much more often. "It's always an issue when your quarterback gets sacked," RT Todd Fordham said. "We don't ever like for him to get hit but, at the same time, when you put yourself in a situation where you're having to throw the ball because you're behind and the defenses are dictating what they want to do because they know what situation you're in, it makes it a lot harder on you."

Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the AFC with 237 and 231 yards receiving. The Bengals' Chad Johnson, who faces the Steelers, Sunday, is third with 226. ... Jeff Reed is 6 for 6 on field-goal tries. ... Tommy Maddox, who led the NFL after the first week in passer rating, is fifth in the AFC at 89.6. His 596 passing yards are more than any other AFC quarterback.

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