Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 10 Players to Watch on Monday Night

This week's Monday Night Football matchup will feature two AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu and company will head into Cincy with the goal of emerging as the best team in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Carson Palmer, Terrell Owens and the Cincinnati Bengals will look to keep their season alive with a victory.

The Bengals are 2-5 and a loss would all but end any hopes they have of making the playoffs.

Therefore, Monday night's game will be played by a desperate Bengals team, something that should be very exciting to watch.

Here are 10 players who will play big parts in tonight's game.

10. Cedric Benson

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals fumbles the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Look at this picture. It appears Cedric Benson is about to drop the football, despite no one being around him. It makes you wonder, "What is going on here?"

That's exactly what Benson's season has been like as a whole. So far this year, Benson has only rushed for 100 yards once. Last year by Week 9 he already had four 100 yard games.

Also, he's only rushed for two touchdowns. Last season at this point, he'd rushed for six touchdowns.

The Bengals need Benson to get back on track tonight, something easier said than done against the Steelers amazing run defense.

9. Robert Geathers

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 27: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by Michael Johnson #93 and Robert Geathers #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals in their NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium December 27, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Sommers

The Cincinnati Bengals have only six sacks this season, tied for the worst total in the NFL.

If they give Ben Roethlisberger that much time to throw, he is going to have a field day. The Bengals need to get pressure on Big Ben and flush him out of the pocket if they want to have a chance on Monday night.

Defensive end Robert Geathers needs to lead that charge, as he has been disappointing this year, with zero sacks through seven games.

8. Ryan Clark

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

We know Troy Polamalu will hold his own tonight, but how will Pittsburgh's other safety, Ryan Clark do?

The Bengals feature a dangerous receiving corps, with Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

Clark needs to make sure he doesn't get beaten deep this week.

7. Jordan Shipley

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Jordan Shipley #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes the catch in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during the NFL season opener on September 12, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots

Can Carson Palmer and Jordan Shipley get in a rhythm tonight and beat the Steelers with a short passing game?

Shipley will be working the slot tonight for the Bengals, and he'll need to pick up some first downs to keep the chains moving if the Bengals want to win.

6. Mike Wallace

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints during their game at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steele

Mike Wallace is a deep threat for the Steelers, averaging 23.4 yards per catch so far this year.

This week, he'll have to face a strong cornerback tandem for the Bengals in Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall.

If he can get free deep just one time and catch a long touchdown pass, it could change the game in favor of the Steelers tonight.

5. Rashard Mendenhall

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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)

The Bengals allow 120 yards per game on the ground on average. Mendenhall needs to be right at that mark tonight.

That will allow the Steelers to grind down the clock and keep the ball away from T.O. and the Bengals offense.

If the Steelers can move the chains by running the ball, it will be a long night for the Bengals.

4. 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 keeps getting fined for illegal hits. But, as the leader of the Steelers defense, he needs to keep playing hard.

I'm not saying he needs to keep hitting people illegally, but he can't shy away from tackles. He needs to continue playing with a high intensity, yet play within the rules.

It will be interesting to see how, if at all, Harrison changes his game tonight.

3. Terrell Owens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

T.O. has five touchdown receptions in the last four games for the Bengals. The T.Ocho experiment is working out better than anyone could have hoped for so far this year.

Unfortunately, it hasn't translated to wins for Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how T.O. reacts if the Bengals fall behind early in this game.

Also, look for the Steelers defense to try to get in his head and get him frustrated.

2. Ben Roethlisberger

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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)

It's not often that an AFC North matchup comes down to quarterback play, but that's exactly what Monday night's contest will be decided by.

As mentioned earlier, the Bengals have only six sacks this year, so Big Ben will have plenty of time to scan the field and throw the ball.

He'll need to avoid throwing harmful interceptions to give the Steelers the best chance to win.

He'll have plenty of time to let plays develop, so it will be interesting to see if Hines Ward or Mike Wallace can beat their defenders deep a time or two tonight.

1. Carson Palmer

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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)

Is Carson Palmer a good NFL quarterback? His best games always seem to be games when Cincinnati loses.

If that trend continues, it might be time for a new quarterback in Cincy. When you see the name Carson Palmer, you automatically assume the Bengals are set at QB, but that might not be the case. It might be time for the Bengals to draft a quarterback.

Palmer will need to prove he can lead the Bengals to victory tonight, and not just put up strong numbers in blowout losses.

Prediction: Steelers 34, Bengals 20

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Bengals will fall behind early and the Steelers will pound the ball all night long.

Palmer will once again post huge numbers, but not until the Bengals are behind by two or three touchdowns late in the fourth quarter.

The Steelers will roll in to Cincy and put the Bengals playoff hopes on life support, causing Bengals fans to grow even more upset with their team.