10 Keys to a Cincinnati Bengals Victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers

The 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals play host to their fiercest rivals on Sunday, and with questions about whether or not they are "for real" dominating the airwaves, this game could define a season.

Following a clean sweep of the Steelers in 2009, the 2010 Bengals had the favor returned by Ben Roethlisberger and Co. en route to a Super Bowl appearance against the Green Bay Packers.

History will prove irrelevant on Sunday however, as a largely new-look and feel Bengals take to the field to open the book on a new chapter in this historic rivalry.

Andy Dalton has a large task ahead of him and will need help from all angles come game-time. 

Here are 10 Keys to a Cincinnati Bengals victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers...

Cedric Benson Must Follow Ray Rice's Lead

Things aren't looking peachy for Cedric Benson right now. Following his spell on the sidelines, Benson had a fairly pedestrian performance in Tennessee, rushing for 78 yards off 20 carries but failed to show why he should be the focal point of the offense.

With the season at the halfway point, Benson needs to step up if he wants to even be considered for a new contract in the new year.

With that in mind, let's look at the Steelers. Benson can be effective against Pittsburgh, but he needs to follow Ray Rice's lead if he wants to be productive.

Rice managed 43 rushing yards and one TD off 18 carries against the Steelers, with another TD being called back due to a holding call. Not only that, but Rice notched 43 receiving yards from five targets.

Pittsburgh are tough against the run, and if Benson wants to be the game-changer that he can be, he will either have to find his startling absent form, or he will have to become more versatile and be an extra pair of hands for Andy Dalton to target in the passing game, as with Rice and the Ravens.

Andy Dalton can't do this on his own, Ced must step up.

Rey Maualuga Must Have a Solid Return Game

Rey Maualuga is currently listed as probable for Sunday's game, after sustaining a high ankle sprain in practice prior to the teams victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Dan Skuta and Brandon Johnson have done a fairly solid job of filling in for Maualuga, and with his return likely on Sunday, the Bengals will have added depth at the position.

Maualuga lead the team in tackles prior to his injury, and you have to think that he will be chomping at the bit to sack Ben Roethlisberger if he gets the chance.

The worry is that a desire to make an impact will bring with it mistakes and the danger of re-injury.

Maualuga is a passionate player with a fiery attitude, and that can be a great asset to the Bengals, not only in terms of tackles but in terms of boosting team morale also.

With an extended time on the sidelines and a gentle approach to practice this week, Maualuga may not be as sharp as you might hope.

But with the Pittsburgh Steelers in town, the leader of the defense can't afford to be sloppy.

Carlos Dunlap Must Play

Carlos Dunlap suffered a fourth-quarter injury in Tennessee last weekend that could see him sit out Sunday's game.

Dunlap racked up two tackles, one assist and two sacks in Nashville, and was regarded as one of the main contributing factors to the Bengals win.

The Bengals defense may well continue to be productive without the upstart Dunlap on Sunday, but with the second-year DE making a name for himself as a pass-rushing monster, his simple presence on the field could be just as valuable than his performance.

The defense has continued to roll despite injuries, but how will they fare without their new-found star?

Dunlap has become the x-factor of an already potent defense, and his contribution would be highly beneficial to a Bengals team that needs as much stopping power as it can get this week.

Jermaine Gresham Must Play

I don't mean to state the obvious, but Jermaine Gresham's presence on the field on Sunday could be integral to Andy Dalton finding success through the air.

With serviceable backup Donald Lee ruled out of Sunday's game with a foot injury, Colin Cochart is the only tight end available to Cincy, making Gresham's return all the more important.

Gresham has been a favorite target of rookie QB Andy Dalton, amassing three touchdowns for the year thus far, and his first-round talent coupled with the underneath option he provides, will likely see him looked to often if he were to return against the Steelers.

It will likely come down to whether or not Cochart has given Marvin Lewis enough confidence to play him instead of risking re-injury to Gresham.

If not, Gresham proved coming out of college that he can bounce back to pro-form following injury from the outset and will have no trouble giving the Steelers problems.

Jerome Simpson Must Have a Big Day

Despite his touchdown effort, Jerome Simpson was fairly erratic against Tennessee. He dropped his fair share of balls and lumbered the Bengals with a silly penalty.

Since seeing more on-the-field time, Simpson has become a rough-and-tough customer, getting involved in his fair share of pushing and shoving during game-time, and it has and could prove costly when playing a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Simpson has the big-play ability that won him the No. 2 spot, but he needs to step up in a big way if he wants to continue celebrating every first down.

With the Steelers likely to do everything they can to take A.J. Green out of the game on Sunday, Simpson will need to focus and get on the same page as Andy Dalton, as he will see his fair share of targets through the air.

Avoid Penalties on Offense

The Bengals offense made a lot of silly mistakes on Sunday that cost them field position. If this happens against Pittsburgh, the No. 3 defense will make Cincy pay for it; there's no doubt about it.

Andy Dalton can't win a shoot-out with Big Ben, and every drive will be vital for the Bengals to keep this one close. 

With nine penalties worth 87 yards given up in Nashville last week, penalties are something that Marvin Lewis will have focused on in practice.

With so many young guys on offense lining up against the veteran defense of the Steelers, it could be rough sledding for the Bengals.

They will need to keep their cool and stay disciplined if they want to be as productive as possible.

A.J. vs. Ike

The Bengals will take at least a few shots downfield in the direction of AJ Green during the course of Sunday's game despite what will be a very present Ike Taylor opposite him.

If Benson can help Dalton establish play-action, Green has the size and the ability to get up above Taylor on the deep ball; that's if he can stay cool tussling with the physical Taylor.

Anquan Boldin had a good day opposite Taylor last week, and Green will be studying his success' in preparation for this one. It must be taken into account, however, that QB's haven't been able to complete two-thirds of passes thrown towards Taylor.

The relatively slim Green has shown himself to have some aggression in his long frame, and he will need it to get past the Taylor press at the line of scrimmage.

It will be a great matchup to watch, and if Green can capitalize, the danger he presents to Dick LeBeau's defense will help the Bengals open up the Steelers, as well as put some digits on the scoreboard.

More Magic on Special Teams

Brandon Tate has been a polarizing figure on the Bengals special teams. He showed a glimmer of why Marvin Lewis signed him against Seattle with a punt return for a touchdown that helped to seal the Bengals win.

He came back down to earth against Tennessee but continues to look more and more comfortable with every game.

With the firepower that Big Ben will bring on Sunday, Tate's expertise will be needed to set Andy Dalton up with good field position.

While everyone wants their return guy to perform each Sunday, Tate's abilities will be especially needed here. Like so many other Bengals, he will be looking to make a statement here, and there's no better game to do it in.

Adam "Pacman" Jones will also be ready to go on Sunday and provides Cincy with another real threat in the return game. The former first-rounder has had a rebirth of sorts in Cincinnati and should continue to show it against the Steelers.

The dual-threat return men need another "Seattle game" to get the W here.

Andy Needs To Stay Calm

Dick LeBeau is bringing his exotic defense to meet the NFL's rookie of the week this Sunday, and it could mean curtains for Dalton's run of form.

With such a potent backfield, the Steelers will be trying to fool the Red Rifle into making some silly throws, and if they succeed, they are no strangers to taking turnovers for six.

The one asset that Dalton is praised for however is his ability to stay calm and poised when it counts. He has been called "un-rattleable" by the media, and he will need to be if he wants to emerge from this one with a win.

Dalton will need his supporting cast to perform if he wants this one to stay close. If the defense can provide turnovers, Dalton has the ability to get into the red zone whether that results in three points or six.

Yet to be picked off inside his opponents 20, Dalton has an uncanny ability to find an open man in the end zone and has the vision and poise to extend every play.

His decision-making ability will be put under the most pressure to date against the Steelers, and his poise will be needed now more than ever.

Better Play from the Secondary

Matt Hasselbeck threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals last week, a worrying amount considering who is on his way to Paul Brown Stadium.

There were communication issues between Kelly Jennings and the Bengals safeties that led to busted coverages and six points.

With busted coverages being the prevailing issue for the Bengals' backs, Ben Roethlisberger could have a good day.

Nate Clements and Leon Hall are more than capable of matching up with the young Steelers receivers, and Reggie Nelson is a ball of energy behind them.

If Cincy can shut down the run, the secondary will have plenty of opportunities to get some turnovers, as Roethlisberger will see significant pressure in the pocket (not that pressure concerns him too much).