Cincinnati v. Steelers: The Matchups

Over the course of the last three games Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 16 times and Willie Parker has averaged 3.4 yards per carry (238 yards on 70 carries).

Wonder if offensive line coach Larry Zierlein is feeling any pressure?

Here's a look at the team matchups for the upcoming game Sunday evening:

Bengals Offense v. Steelers Defense
Avg. total yards per game: Bengals Offense, 5th (361.2) v. Steelers Defense, 1st (229.18)

Avg. net rushing yards per game: Bengals Offense, 24th (90.6) v. Steelers Defense, 3rd (77.1)

Avg. net passing yards per game: Bengals Offense, 3rd (270.5) v. Steelers Defense, 1st (154.1)

Third down conversions: Bengals Offense, 6th (47.6%) v. Steelers Defense, 12th (38.0%)

Avg. points per game: Bengals Offense, 6th (25.55) v. Steelers Defense, 1st (13.18)

Steelers Offense v. Bengals Defense
Avg. total yards per game: Steelers Offense, 10th (336.27) v. Bengals Defense, 28th (363.7)

Avg. net rushing yds per game: Steelers Offense, 2nd (141.73) v. Bengals Defense, 25th (120.5)

Avg. net passing yds per game: Steelers Offense, 18th (194.55) v. Bengals Defense, 26th (243.2)

Third down conversions: Steelers Offense, 2nd (48.4%) v. Bengals Defense, 17th (40.9%)

Avg. points per game: Steelers Offense, 7th (24.73) v. Bengals Defense, 29th (26.55)

Special Teams
Avg. yards per punt return: Cincinnati 31st (6.1); Steelers 29th (6.3)

Avg. yards allowed per punt return: Cincinnati 21st (10.2); Steelers 26th (11.4)

Avg. yards per kick return: Cincinnati 11th (24.2); Steelers 16th (23.4)

Avg. yards allowed per kick return: Cincinnati 19th (23.5); Steelers 20th (23.6)

Net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 28th (34.5); Steelers 10th (38.0)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 6th (36.3); Steelers 31st (40.3)


Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cincinnati 15th (+1); Steelers tied for 6th (+6)

Time of Possession: Cincinnati 16th (30:10); Steelers 1st (34:47)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency: Cincinnati 17th (50%); Steelers 6th (57.9%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cincinnati 6th (45%); Steelers 17th (52.4%)
Note: It isn't clear how important this statistic is -- New England is last in the percentage of touchdowns allowed relative to their opponents' red zone possessions at 70.8%.