Steelers/Bengals Preview From Section 108

Welcome to the playoffs, Cincinnati! The last time you were here, I was a dominant second baseman in little league. I am not sure that Bengals fans will know what to expect, and I surely hope their players don't. Bill Cowher's team will need all the help they can get because the Steelers, the sixth seed in the AFC, just doesn't have a prayer if you consider history a good judge of the future.

Since the NFL went to the six-team playoff format in 1990, six seeds are 1-14 in first-round playoff games and have been outscored 31-16 in the process. Since 1990, road teams are 18-42 in the wildcard round.

The Steelers have played three road games under Cowher and have lost all three, in overtime at Kansas City in 1993, via a blowout at New England in 1996, and in overtime at Tennessee in 2002.

The issue confronting them now is not whether they can win three straight on the road and make it to the Super Bowl, but can they win one away from home?

They'll have every chance in Cincinnati.

The playoff security expected following a 15-1 parade through the 2004 regular season was blown away on Dec. 4, when the Steelers fell to the Bengals, 38-31, at Heinz Field.

This game created a so-called changing of the guard in the AFC North this year, as the Bengals beat out the Steelers for the division title, Cincinnati's first crown since winning the old AFC Central in 1990.

It was a game that left Bengals fans looking forward to a rematch with the Colts and infuriated Steelers Nation.

The Steelers were on a three-game losing streak, the division was virtually locked up by the former "Bungles," and the Steelers would need help just to make the playoffs.

The Steelers became a desperate team and they responded down the stretch as championship-caliber teams must. During the Steelers' three-game losing streak in Weeks 10-12, they averaged 83.6 yards rushing and failed to break 100. During their current four-game winning streak, they're averaging 185 rushing yards with a low of 142 in an 18-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings. "The running game is always going to be important for us," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said.

While the Steelers seem to be getting back to doing what they do well, the Cincinnati Bengals finished the regular season with two of their worst games. The AFC North champions are playing like anything but a champion heading into their first-round game against the Steelers.

Larry Johnson and the Chiefs shredded a Cincinnati defense that rested few starters after allowing 30 points to a Bills team that couldn't outscore the Jets in Week 17. Not much confidence can be built for a playoff run after someone smashes you with 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the worst loss in the three-year tenure of your savior head coach — no matter the circumstances surrounding the game. In reality, it was not just that game that has outsiders doubting the team.

The Bengals went 4-3 in the last seven games and gave up an average of 30 points per game. They allowed 45, 29, 31, 20, 17, 32, and 37 points down the stretch, putting themselves in the position of having to outscore teams to beat them.

Instead of riding momentum, the Bengals (11-5) are trying to get back on their feet. How would they be able to do that? Time to dip into the overflowing well of confidence Chad Johnson has for his team.

"How do you stop us?" Johnson asked. "Seriously. Have you ever thought about that? You're in the playoffs and you've got [Carson] Palmer, [Chad] Johnson, Housh, Tab [Perry], Rudi [Johnson], [Chris] Perry is back. Too many weapons. Too many weapons. We'll be fine."

The Bengals have reason to believe they will be just fine.

Anchored by AFC all-pro tackle Willie Anderson, the offensive line allowed the club's all-time low 21 sacks in '05.

The team finished 2005 with an NFL-best +24 turnover differential and surrendered the fewest lost fumbles in the league (6). The defense seized an NFL-best 31 INTs. Rookie LB Odell Thurman posted 5 INTs to lead all rookies and tied for most in NFL.

That's pretty good, isn't that right, Chad? "Thanks to higher authority, I can't open my mouth, period, all week," Johnson said. No need, you have talked enough already. In fact, you and T.J. Howsyourmomma's actions have already given the Steelers plenty of bulletin board material.

As he walked off Heinz Field, Houshmandzadeh asked a member of the Bengals support staff to hand him a Terrible Towel. When one was provided, he sat down in the visitors tunnel and shined his football cleats with the golden cloth. Then, he twirled the towel over his head as he walked down the runway toward the Bengals' locker room.

Weren't expecting to face the Steelers again, were you, T.J.?

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing," Houshmandzadeh said. "Chad and I had something planned during the game, but I told him to wait until near the end. The Steelers spoiled it by scoring a late touchdown (with 2:59 left), so we never got a chance to do it."

The Steelers would like to spoil more than just a touchdown dance this Sunday.

"It is nice that they beat us that time," Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El said. "The reason I said it was nice because it makes us hungry to go out there and play them. We have something to prove because they beat us last time. We need to let them know what we are all about when it comes to being the bully on the block."

Let the word wars begin.

"We still need to exorcise some demons," Bengals OL Willie Anderson said. "I still don't think that we put that perception in a lot of people's heads (to rest) in one year's time. Pittsburgh is a team that we needed to play. This is traditionally, year-in and year-out, the biggest, baddest, and toughest team in football. If we're going to get over the hump, I think it needs to be Pittsburgh."

Right, I am sure the entire city of Cincinnati was just thrilled to face a team that is 6-0 all-time in playoffs vs. division foes. A team that is 20-8 vs. CIN under head coach Bill Cowher — his most wins vs. any team.

"We love the matchup with Pittsburgh," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "They love playing us. It's always a great, competitive game. It gets your mind ready. When you have Pittsburgh coming in, you've got to get focused. ... Our fans are so excited just for a playoff game, then on top of it, we get to play Pittsburgh. I'm feeling the goose bumps right now."

You may be feeling goose bumps now, Carson, you may be feeling an angry Steelers defense come Sunday.

"They had one good season, but they still haven't done anything yet," Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton said. "We still have to go out there and do what we are capable of doing and see what happens."

And the Steelers have some fire power of their own. In fact, they present the only starting quarterback with playoff experience.

"I'm not going to go out and play not to make a mistake this year," Ben Roethlisberger said. "I'm going to go out to win football games and play as good as I can to help this team win. It came from a feeling like (I) lost it last year for the team, for making mistakes and not wanting to do it again and not wanting to make the same mistakes twice.

They also have rookie TE Heath Miller, who has notched more TD catches (6) than any AFC TE in playoffs.

All-Star LB Joey Porter (10.5) and LB Clark Haggans (9.0) combine for NFL's top sack total by LB tandem.

WR/PR Antwaan Randle El has PR of 35+ yds in three games in row. Randle El is NFL's only player with two punt return TDs in 2005.

The real battle for the North goes through Cincinnati this Sunday.

"There will be a lot of excitement in that stadium, their first playoff game in a long time," said Cowher. "It's a big, big challenge for us. We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them."

I think at this time of year, you have to be playing good football. The last time we played these guys, we had four turnovers and on our kickoff coverage, we gave them the ball at the three-yard line at one time, mid-field at another time, we were not very good at covering kicks. If you do that against this football team, who is as explosive offensively as they are, and it is an uphill battle.

With Cincinnati being just on the other end of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, plenty of Steelers fans annually make the trip. Before the Bengals became a playoff team this season, Steelers' fans often outnumbered the home fans during games in Cincinnati.

"We know there are going to be people there rooting for us and that makes a big difference when you're on the road," Steelers WR Hines Ward said. "It gives you a lift."

"Our fans travel well," said Steelers OL Kendell Simmons, using a phrase usually associated with college football and bowl games. "We never feel like we're truly on the road and we definitely feel like we're home in Cincinnati."

And if you ask Jerome Bettis, he really is looking to go to his hometown, home of this year's Super Bowl.

No question. That's the goal. That's been the goal from day one. Early in the season, I had some shirts that said "Detroit or Bust." That's all we're playing for, and I told the guys in the locker room that we had to get there because I'm running out of time, so I put some extra pressure on those guys.

"It's like Muhammad Ali against Joe Frazier, two heavyweights that once held the (heavyweight title) belt," Ward said. "We had the crown and now (the Bengals) have the crown. Let's go at it toe-to-toe and see who the champion is, once and for all."

Sunday at 4:30 PM EST, the fight begins. Look for me, I'll be the only usher in section 108 not working.