Steelers-Bengals: A Look Ahead

After two weeks of their hunt for back to back championships, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1. What originally looked like an easy contest against the Cincinnati Bengals has gradually emerged as a possible can't-miss matchup.

Here's a look inside the Steelers' Week Three game with division rival Cincinnati:

Five Questions To Answer

1. Can the Steelers find their running game?

2. Will Antwaan Odom penetrate the Steelers' offensive line?

3. How will Jeff Reed react after two heartbreaking misses in Week Two?

4. Can Cedric Benson run against the Steelers?

5. Which offensive line will show up for Pittsburgh?

Four Fantasy Tips

1. Reconsider Starting Carson Palmer

Palmer threw three touchdown passes last week against Green Bay, but he also threw for only 185 yards and tossed two picks. Be careful starting him against a Steelers' defense that is much better than Green Bay.

2. Start Heath Miller

Santonio Holmes has emerged as Ben Roethlisberger's top receiver, but tight end Heath Miller is his favorite target in key situations. Miller is a tough player who gets yards in the middle and always seems to be near the ball. Against a relatively weak Bengals' secondary, expect Miller to find space in the middle of the field.

3. Don't Dump Jeff Reed

Make no mistake, Reed's game in Chicago is the exception, not the rule. Reed has consistently been one of the most under-appreciated (outside of Pittsburgh) and underrated kickers in the NFL. He is clutch, particularly in difficult winds at Heinz Field.  He will rebound just fine after his rough game. This guy doesn't usually miss.

4. Sleeper: Willie Parker

Parker has struggled so far, but it usually is only a matter of time. With the offensive line showing better blocking and Parker showing more speed and cutting ability during Week Two, he should be back on track against a so-so Cincinnati rush defense that he has gashed many times in the past.

Three Key Matchups

1. Max Starks and/or Chris Kemoeatu vs. Antwaan Odom

Odom has seven sacks through the season's first two weeks, which leads the NFL. He has proven a beast on the pass rush and this week he will be attacking what can only be labeled the weakest part of the Steeler offensive line.

Starks has not played up to the expectations that come hand in hand with being tagged a franchise player and then being lavished with a large contract. He has gotten pushed back and off his blocks and has been beaten, particularly toward the inside of the line.

Kemoeatu is having a poor season thus far. He is the weakest link on what is right now a mediocre offensive line. He has become a turnstile for opposing rushers and often needs help with his blocks from either Starks or center Justin Hartwig.

How this matchup plays out may just determine who wins the game.

2. Steelers' Pass Defense vs. Cincinnati Pass Offense

OK, it's very general matchup, but this will be interesting. Last week, Chicago, with a receiving corps staffed with virtual unknowns, passed for 236 yards and two scores against a Pittsburgh unit that ranked No.1 in the NFL last year.

Pittsburgh's secondary has certainly suffered from the loss of Troy Polamalu. With Tryone Carter also nursing an injury (he's expected to play), this unit could be in trouble. 

Carson Palmer is healthy and Chad Ochocinco has seemingly returned to form. Palmer shredded the Packers' weak pass defense Sunday. The Bengals look revived on offense.

Ike Taylor and William Gay must step up to cover the Bengals' receivers and Ryan Clark needs to cover the middle with Carter while providing big hits on receivers who attempt to find a soft spot.

3. Pittsburgh Rush Offense vs. Cincinnati Rush Defense

The most maligned cog in the usually well-oiled Pittsburgh machine has been the rushing attack. In two weeks, the Steelers have barely gained 100 rushing yards combined and have failed to execute in critical 3rd-and-1 situations.

This has forced the Steelers to rely much too heavily on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and has made the Steelers a one dimensional offensive unit.

The Bengals' rush defense held Green Bay to 89 yards (43 by quarterback Aaron Rodgers) on 18 carries. The Bengals employ a bend but don't break philosophy and it has helped them vastly improve their leaky rush defense.

Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall must step up this week. Against a stout Chicago defense, the offensive line proved its blocking ability and Parker and Mendenhall proved that they could find open holes and gain positive yardage. Now they must also show the consistency that has long been a hallmark of Steelers football.

Two Players in the Spotlight

Pittsburgh Steelers: Willie Parker

Parker has not been the same since a broken fibula ended his 2007 season.  He has been injury prone and has looked indecisive.

For Parker to be successful again, he has to hit the hole with more authority and speed and rediscover his missing cutback skills. He also needs to be kept out of runs up the middle, where he is not bulky enough to gain yards, and utilized on runs to the outside, where his speed becomes dangerous.

The offensive line has proven its ability to block after holding off a vicious Bears attack in Week Two. Now Parker must prove he can still be a consistent, quality back in the NFL.

Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Benson

Benson has experienced a career revival since arriving in Cincinnati and had a stellar game last week (141 yards on 29 carries).

This week, however, Benson will have to navigate a Steelers' rush defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in over a season. Benson's bruising style is similar to what the Steelers saw in Week One from LenDale White, who the Steelers held to 28 yards on eight carries.

Benson likely won't gain 141 yards again this week, but he will be one of the x-factors in the game. If he can penetrate the Steelers' defense and allow the Bengals to establish a ground attack, the Steelers will not be able to key on Carson Palmer and the Bengal receivers. If Benson struggles, then the Bengals will be forced to play a very obvious pass-happy game.

One Bold Prediction

Steelers 24, Bengals 13

Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall turn in a combined 100-yard performance and allow Ben Roethlisberger to set up a balanced attack. Cedric Benson struggles against the Steelers' defense and the Bengals fall into a pass-happy style that leads to an interception. Chad Ochocinco is held scoreless and below 100 yards.