Last Updated on September 12, 2013 3:37 pm by admin
PITTSBURGH (0-1) at CINCINNATI (0-1)
Monday, 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Bengals by 6
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Pittsburgh 0-1, Cincinnati 0-0-1.
SERIES RECORD – Steelers lead 53-33
LAST MEETING – Bengals beat Steelers 13-10 on Dec. 23
LAST WEEK – Steelers lost to Titans 16-9; Bengals lost to Bears 24-21
AP PRO32 RANKING – Steelers No. 27, Bengals No. 14.
STEELERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (31), PASS (27)
STEELERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (23), PASS (2)
BENGALS OFFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (26t), PASS (14)
BENGALS DEFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (16), PASS (14)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Bengals had breakthrough win in series last time they met, at Heinz Field to clinch second AFC wild card and knock Steelers out of playoff contention. … Steelers are trying to avoid opening 0-2 for first time since 2002. … Focus will be on LB James Harrison in first game against former team. Harrison left Steelers when they couldn’t agree on restructured contract and signed with Bengals as free agent. … Steelers have won 10 of past 11 at Cincinnati. … Ben Roethlisberger, who grew up in Ohio and attended nearby Miami University, is 14-5 as starter against Bengals, 9-3 in Monday night games. He has thrown for 300 yards against Bengals only one time. … LB LaMarr Woodley needs one sack to move ahead of Greg Lloyd for fifth-most sacks with Steelers. … Bengals are trying for third straight win over AFC North opponent. After beating Steelers in Pittsburgh, they beat Baltimore team that rested starters to get ready for playoffs. … Bengals are 9-20 in Monday night games. … Andy Dalton completed career-high 78.7 percent of passes in loss at Chicago, going 26 of 33. … All-Pro receiver A.J. Green had his most prolific opener, catching nine passes for 162 yards.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org