Steelers @ Cincinnati:The Weekly Matchups

The Steelers roll into the Queen City off their bye week, and are going against an opponent that (statistically) is inferior. Should be a walk in the park, shouldn't it?

Forgive us if we are less than certain.

The Bengals have improved their play over the last two weeks, giving Dallas all they could handle (in Dallas) before losing 31-22 and eking out a loss last week versus the Jets. Additionally, this is exactly the type of game in which the Steelers have, historically, struggled.

Here's a look at this week's numbers:

Cincinnati Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cincinnati offense 31st (227.8) v. Steelers defense 2nd (231.6 )

Average net rushing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 31st (72.2) v. Steelers defense 2nd (66.8)

Average net passing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 26th (155.7) v. Steelers defense 4th (164.8)

Average points per game: Cincinnati offense 29th (14.67) v. Steelers defense 3rd (15.8)

Steelers Offense v. Cincinnati Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 26th (283.6) v. Cincinnati defense 17th (324.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 20th (106.2) v. Cincinnati defense 28th (156.8)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 23rd (177.4) v. Cincinnati defense 5th (167.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 21st (20.6) v. Cincinnati defense 21st (24.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cincinnati 17th (10.1) v. Steelers 32nd (3.8)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cincinnati 21st (10.6) v. Steelers 2nd (4.5)

Average yards per kick return: Cincinnati 5th (26.6) v. Steelers 31st (18.5)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cincinnati 23rd (24.2) v. Steelers 5th (20.1)

Net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 30th (34.2) v. Steelers 9th (40.0)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 21st (38.5) v. Steelers 32nd (43.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cincinnati 23rd (-2) v. Steelers 8th (+3)

Time of possession: Cincinnati 31st (26:41) v. Steelers 19th (30:10)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cincinnati 17th (50.0%) v. Steelers 5th (66.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cincinnati 18th (52.4%) v. Steelers 10th (41.7%)

Sacks allowed: Cincinnati 28th (19) v. Steelers 28th (19)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Ryan Fitzpatrick, 15th (57.7) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 4th (95.7)

Leading rushers: Chris Perry, 13th (253 yards) v. Willie Parker, 12th (263 yards)

Note: The Steelers leading rusher, Willie Parker, is out. Their second leading rusher, Rashard Mendenhall, is out. Their third leading rusher is Mewelde Moore who has 118 yards.

Leading receivers: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, 2nd (38 catches, 400 yards, 10.5 per catch, 3 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 12th (24 catches, 316 yards, 13.2 yards per catch, 4 touchdowns)