Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Can the Bengals Salvage Their Season?

The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals are a talented bunch of underachievers. They are vastly overrated and seem to be going nowhere fast.

Carson Palmer is as erratic as a freshman QB in the MAC. Chad Ochocinco's days as a Pro Bowl receiver are in the rearview mirror. Terrell Owens is the most productive/least effective receiver in the NFL.

Cedric Benson is simply playing for a new contract at this point. This quote completely sums it up:

"I would love to voice my opinion on that but it will get me nowhere. I'm above and beyond negative energy. It's on the film and everybody sees it. You have to play the cards you are dealt. I'm only employee number 32 and have to be there. However, I think we'll keep hitting our heads up against a brick wall if we stay blind to the facts."

A top five defense returned all 11 starters. This year 14 individual players have more sacks than the entire Bengals roster. It's making the secondary look bad and it's proof that all 11 players on the defensive side of the ball need to play well in order for the D to succeed.

Sunday against the Miami Dolphins proved all of the above points. The inconsistent offense can put together a drive that includes six first downs one minute, then complete six first downs for three quarters the next minute. There is no idea what to expect when the Bengals offense marches out onto the field.

The frustration is growing by the minute. Listen to what Chad had to say on the T.Ocho Show this week:

"What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? I’m out there. I’m on the field. What do you want me to do? I’m on the field, I’m available, I’m wear number 85, I’m out there, I’M OUT THERE. I’m going to leave it at that. There’s nothing I can do but make myself available. Period.”

Hmm, I wonder who he's calling out with that quote.

Now the first-place 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers roll into town for a Monday night showdown. The Steelers are coming off a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints and will be looking to exact revenge on a Bengals team that beat them twice last year by a combined nine points.

To add insult to injury, All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu played an awful game by his standards last week. What are the odds that the best defensive player in the NFL struggles in two consecutive games?

There is no way the Bengals anemic offense can effectively run the ball against a stout Steelers front line. How can a shaky O-line protect Palmer against an aggressive and physical Dick LeBeau-led offense?

Defensively the Bengals are a below-average unit lacking any sort of pass rush. Without any pressure, Ben Roethlisberger will eat the Bengals secondary up. Johnathan Joseph is expected back, but does it even matter? The Bengals need to get at least a few sacks for this game to be competitive.

It's too bad the whole country has to watch. This is the game when you will get five or six close-ups of a blank Marvin Lewis stare. The ESPN commentators will begin questioning his job status after the third Roethlisberger TD pass.

This is the game when the wheels officially fall off. The game when either T.O. or Chad has the sideline blow-up that the rest of the country has been waiting for.

A 2-6 first half is now a reality. That equals a 4-12 season. Not exactly what most fans expected at the beginning of the season.

If it wasn't for the Cowboys and Vikings, this team would be the biggest disappointment in the NFL.