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The Steelers are finishing up a three game stretch against teams with the best records in the league.
Winning on the road last week versus a quality opponent, Denver, was big, especially after losing back-to-back road games against the Bears and the Bengals earlier in the season.
In the last two weeks, the Steelers handed Minnesota its first loss, and Denver its second loss. On Sunday, the Steelers could hand the Bengals their third.
The Bengals are heading to Heinz Field this Sunday for a showdown, and the Steelers will be looking to regain respect for what is theirs: the AFC North title and a seed in the playoffs.
The defense will be looking to regain respect lost after the shaky fourth quarter in Week Three that allowed the Bengals to score 14 points to win 23-20.
The Steelers have been a thorn in the Bengals' side in recent years, knocking them out of the opening round of the playoffs in January 2006, and later defeating them in an overtime loss to deny them a playoff berth the following season.
The Bengals (6-2) are looking not only to stay on top of the leaderboard but to do something they have never done: sweep another Division foe.
But they will face a different Steeler team (6-2) than the one they faced in Week Three.
The Steelers emerged from the win in Denver a different team and there were certainly some encouraging signs:
1) The offense showed the ability to overcome a slow start;
2) The emergence of a ground game;
3) A terrific passing game; and
4) A defense that scored more touchdowns than it gave up.
In addition, SS Troy Polamalu and RB Rashard Mendenhall did not play in the Week Three game versus the Bengals. Polamalu was out with a knee injury sustained from the season opener against the Titans, and Mendenhall was sidelined for not paying attention to details during practice.
The Passing Game
Monday night, the Steeler offense was off to a slow start and was held to 47 passing yards and zero touchdowns.
But in the second half, utilizing the no-huddle, QB Ben Roethlisberger orchestrated three touchdown drives and finished the day completing 21 of 29 passes with a passer rating of 116.0.
The offensive line continues to improve on pass protection. In the second half, the line kept Roethlisberger clean in the pocket so he could make throws to his favorite targets.
The offensive line must be mindful of the Bengals defensive line that can get consistent pressure on a quarterback.
Last week, the Bengals line forced four sacks and did not allow Baltimore QB Joe Flacco action downfield.
Bengals cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph continue to get better as each have four interceptions. Both picked off Flacco last week.
Against the Steelers in Week Three, Joseph has an interception return for a touchdown.
Roethlisberger must play smart Sunday to keep that Bengal secondary on its toes.
The Bengals offense comes into this game looking balanced as well.
Last week against the Ravens, Carson Palmer completed 20 of 33 for 224 yards and a touchdown.
His key targets will be wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles. Wide receiver Chris Henry is out indefinitely after breaking his right forearm against the Ravens.
CB Ike Taylor will be assigned again to cover Ochocinco. Taylor has been very successful in covering big-time receivers.
In Week Three, Ochocinco caught five passes for 54 yards and zero touchdowns.
Cincinnati dominated the time of possession as QB Carson Palmer commanded the game-winning drive using his receivers over the middle.
An interesting matchup to watch will be Palmer versus SS Troy Polamalu. With Polamalu back, Palmer will find his presence a challenge.
Free Safety Ryan Clark will return to active duty after being sidelined for the Denver game due to health issues. Reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week Tyrone Carter subbed for Clark and had two interceptions.
The Running Game
Monday night, we saw the emergence of the Steeler running game. The offensive line broke open massive holes, pulling guards and tight ends for the featured running back Rashard Mendenhall.
There will be challenges for the Steeler running game against the No. 2 Bengals rush defense.
In Week Four, the Bengals allowed a 100-yard rusher, Cleveland RB Jerome Harrison.
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