Steelers @ Cincinnati: The Team Matchups

Way back in July, August and early September all indications were that both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals were legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and that this New Year's Eve game would be a battle for the AFC North championship. Instead the Steelers are out of the playoffs and the Cincinnati is hanging on by the narrowest of threads.

While trying to figure out just which team is more of a disappointment here's a look at how they match up:

Bengals Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Bengals "O", 8th (344.5) v. Steelers "D", 10th (300.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Bengals "O", 22nd (105.7) v. Steelers "D", 4th (91.2)

Average net passing yards per game: Bengals "O", 5th (238.8), v. Steelers "D", 18th (209.5)

Third down conversions: Bengals "O", 25th (35.6%) v. Steelers "D", 19th (39.3%)

Average points per game: Bengals "O", 7th (23.73) v. Steelers "D", 14th (19.87)

Steelers Offense v. Bengals Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers "O", 7th (349.5) v. Bengals "D", 28th (346.6)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers "O", 14th (119.0) v. Bengals "D", 12th (110.4)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers "O", 9th (230.5) v. Bengals "D", 31st (236.2)

Third down conversions: Steelers "O", 8th (42.2%) v. Bengals "D", 21st (41.0%)

Average points per game: Steelers "O", 11th (22.o) v. Bengals "D", 16th (20.53)

Special Teams
Average yardage per punt return: Bengals 29th (7.1), Steelers 31st (8.5)
Average yardage allowed per punt return: Bengals 1st (5.6), Steelers 19th (6.1)

Average yardage per kick return: Bengals 30th (20.4), Steelers 11th (22.5)
Average yardage allowed per kick return: Bengals 8th (21.3), Steelers 23rd (22.5)

Net yardage punting average: Bengals 5th (38.5), Steelers 15th (36.9)
Opponent net yardage punting average: Bengals 23rd (37.5), Steelers 31st (37.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnovers: Bengals 9th (+5), Steelers 25th (-6)

Time of possession: Bengals 24th (29:07), Steelers 11th (30:48)

Red Zone Touchdown Efficiency: Bengals 6th (58.0%), Steelers 18th (50.0%)
Red Zone Touchdowns Defense: Bengals 25th (56.3%), Steelers 7th (46.5%)