Steelers vs. Bengals: Can Terrell Owens Help His Team Get Back in AFC North Race

Steelers vs. Bengals: Monday Night Football will feature an AFC North showdown.

For the Steelers, this is a rebound game, a chance to bounce back from a loss against the New Orleans Saints on Halloween night.

For the Bengals, this is an opportunity to save their season, a shot at inching closer toward .500 as we enter a crucial part of the 2010 season.

Cincinnati has struggled all season on the way to a 2-5 record, and now has a very slim chance at making the playoffs.

But despite hitting a minor blip last week, Pittsburgh has all the makings of a Super Bowl contender.

So what will happen when these two teams clash in a huge divisional matchup tonight?

Here are 10 bold—although I'm sure some of you will say they're stupid—predictions for Monday Night Football: Steelers vs. Bengals.

10. No Flags Or Fines For James Harrison

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (Photo by Karl

James Harrison has already been fined $100,000 by the NFL this season.

Of course we all remember when he threatened to retire because of the league's new policy on violent hits. 

Well, he was fined $75,000 for a pair of rough tackles against the Cleveland Browns last month before being slammed with another $25,000 fine for a hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

That was already his third fine on the season.

But I have a feeling that Harrison will not be fined or flagged tonight. I mean, he's gotta start caring about the hits to his checkbook at some point.

9. Cincinnati Will Run The No-Huddle Offense Effectively

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

If there's one thing about Dick LeBeau's defenses, it's that they can frustrate the living hell out of opposing quarterbacks.

They have so many pre-snap movements and blitz packages that it's hard for the guy behind center to get into the flow of the game.

The best way for Carson Palmer to beat that is to run the no-huddle offense, which I think the Bengals will have to use if their offense begins to struggle.

And if they do decide to get to the line of scrimmage quickly, it'll benefit Cincinnati by keeping Palmer from playing the guessing game.

As a result, the Bengals offense will run much smoother than you might expect.

8. Troy Polamalu Will Score a Touchdown

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Julius Jones #21 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled byTroy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers

So I'm pointing out the obvious here, but Troy Polamalu is one of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL.

It literally seems like the guy is everywhere on the field.

And tonight Polamalu will use that nose for the ball of his to scoop up a loose fumble and take it to the house.

Just for kicks, let's say it's a Cedric Benson fumble that Polamalu returns 40 yards or so at some point in the second quarter.

7. Ben Roethlisberger Will Top 250 Yards and Three Touchdowns

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws the ball against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger has played pretty well in his first three games back from suspension.

He's got more than 750 yards passing, his quarterback rating is 103.4 and he's thrown five touchdowns.

I think he'll continue to perform well against a Bengals defense that has given up more than 265 yards per game through the air the last three games, and was torched by Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan just a couple of weeks ago.

For all you fantasy football guys out there, how's 250 yards and three touchdowns sound?

That's what I thought.

6. Terrell Owens Will Have At Least 100 Receiving Yards and One Touchdown

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs by Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Terrell Owens has typically struggled against Pittsburgh throughout his career.

The controversial wide receiver has just 23 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns in five games against the Steelers.

But Owens has nearly 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his last four games, and the Steelers defense ranks 25th in the league, allowing 243 yards per game through the air.

It'll be hard to get in the end zone against Pittsburgh's No. 1 scoring defense, but I'm going with the T.O. train continuing to roll on through his opponents.

He'll top 100 yards and score one touchdown.

5. Carson Palmer Won't Throw an Interception

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I know what you're thinking: Carson Palmer will definitely throw an interception.

I can't blame you, because it seems like he throws multiple picks every week.

But Palmer actually has three games without an interception this year, and he has thrown just seven picks in 10 career games against the Steelers.

Great? No, far from it.

And even though this might be a long shot, I'm going to say that Palmer avoids those costly mistakes tonight and throws zero interceptions.

4. The Game Will Come Down To The Wire

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a second quarter touchdown pass with Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

It seems like pretty much everyone I've seen pick this game has chosen the Steelers to win it.

Well, I won't go so far as to say that the Bengals will pull the upset, but I do think this game will be close at the end.

I still think Pittsburgh is the better team, so I've got them wining the game, but it won't be a blowout.

Cincinnati's last four losses have come by a combined 21 points, and the Bengals like to keep things interesting.

In the end though, I see Ben Roethlisberger hitting Mike Wallace on a late score to give the Steelers a 31-27 victory.

3. At Least 2 Sacks For LaMarr Woodley

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns during the game on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley has just 1.5 sacks in the Steelers' last five games, and that sack and a half actually came in one game (Week 6 against Cleveland).

He's struggled a bit all season, but I think this is the week he breaks out of his sack slump.

Woodley will be rushing off the edge against Bengals right tackle Andre Smith, who has consistently disappointed in Cincinnati and has failed to live up to the expectations that come with being a top-five pick.

So Woodley has a good opportunity to have a big day here, and I think he does it with a multiple-sack game.

2. Cedric Benson Will Have 75 Yards Rushing

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Saying that Cedric Benson is going to top 75 rushing yards doesn't exactly seem very bold.

But the longest run the Steleers defense has given up all season is 14 yards, and they've yet to allow more than 48 yards on the ground to a single back all season.

Pittsburgh's defense gives up just 58.9 rushing yards per game, and Cedric Benson has just 185 yards rushing in four games against the Steelers.

So predicting Benson to run for more than 75 yards is a stretch, but that's why they play the games.

1. Rashard Mendenhall Will Top 150 Yards On The Ground

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has struggled mightily in recent weeks, averaging just 67.8 yards on the ground in Pittsburgh's last four games.

But Pittsburgh has averaged a staggering 161.2 rushing yards per game in the team's last nine games at Cincinnati.

This will be the week that Mendenhall gets his act together as the Steelers will continue to run the ball effectively against the Bengals.

He'll rush for more than 150 yards to go along with one receiving touchdown on the day.