Steelers @ Cincinnati: The Weekly Matchup

Chastened, and having fallen from #1 in the AFC standings to #6 with the loss to Baltimore, Pittsburgh takes on a rejuvenated Cincinnati team that leads the AFC Central.  While some will be quick to point out that the Bengals record has been achieved against opponents whose collective record is 26-34, defenders of the Bengals might observe that the Steelers' opponents have combined for a record of 33-41.  Moreover, against teams whose winning percentage is better than .500, the Steelers have exactly one victory.

Here's a look at some more of this week's numbers:

Cincinnati Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cincinnati offense 22nd (316.3) v. Steelers defense 3rd (280.2 )

Average net rushing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 21st (104.1) v. Steelers defense 6th (95.6)

Average net passing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 21st (212.1) v. Steelers defense 3rd (184.7)

Average points per game: Cincinnati offense 13th (24.38) v. Steelers defense 5th (18.0)

Steelers Offense v. Cincinnati Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (389.1) v. Cincinnati defense 4th (301.3)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 19th (110.3) v. Cincinnati defense 2nd (84.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 8th (278.8) v. Cincinnati defense 10th (216.8)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 19th (21.78) v. Cincinnati defense 4th (17.5)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cincinnati 7th (12.2) v. Steelers 9th (11.3)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cincinnati 9th (6.9) v. Steelers 1st (4.4)

Average yards per kick return: Cincinnati 17th (23.0) v. Steelers 5th (26.5)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cincinnati 22nd (24.4) v. Steelers 23rd (25.0)

Net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 11th (39.5) v. Steelers 22nd (38.8)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 10th (37.8) v. Steelers 14th (38.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cincinnati 11th (+3) v. Steelers 32nd (-11)

Time of possession: Cincinnati 10th (30:50) v. Steelers 4th (32:34)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cincinnati 16th (50.0%) v. Steelers 22nd (46.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cincinnati 19th (55.6%) v. Steelers 26th (61.9%)

Sacks allowed: Cincinnati 5th (13) v. Steelers 28th (26)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Andy Dalton, 6th (85.0) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (94.1)

Leading rushers: Cedric Benson 7th (536 yards, 137 attempts, 3.9 per carry) v. Willie Parker, 11th (473 yards, 120 attempts, 3.9 per carry)

Leading receivers: A.J. Green, 6th (40 catches, 599 yards, 15.0 per catch, 5 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace, 2nd (47 catches, 868 yards, 18.5 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

Sacks:  Geno Atkins, 15th (3.5) v. LaMarr Woodley, 1st (9.0)
Note: With LaMarr Woodley likely to miss Sunday's game the Steelers' leading sack artist is James Harrison, 7th in AFC with five sacks.