Steelers at Bengals

If the Cincinnati Bengals are to beat the visting Steelers on Sunday, they will have to slow down the Pittsburgh rushing game.

Coach Cowher's Steelers like to keep it on the ground with a league hi 1.75 rushes per pass attempt. Compared to the rest of the league, the Steelers are literaly "off the chart" (see percentile chart, Rushes per Pass Attempt).

And the Steelers are rolling, gaining 200 yards in three of their last four games (see chart below).

Yards Rushing (Net) Pittsburgh Steelers 2005 through Week 17

In three of this season's losses the Bengals D gave up big ground yardage. Including a mid-season loss to the Steelers and last week's pounding by the Chiefs (see chart below).

Opp Yds Rushing Net Cincinnati Bengals 2005 through Week 17

It's been a great year for Coach Lewis' and the Bengals. Can they shake off last week's poor effort and stop the Steeler rush? The computer gives Pittsburgh a slim, one-half-point nod.

Bill Sanders and Bud Goode

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