Cincinnati vs. Steelers: The matchups

Two teams, arguably better than their respective records, square off for a chance to play at least one extra game. Who's got the edge? Here is a look at this week's matchups.

Cincinnati Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cincinnati offense 18th (347.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (273.3 )

Average net rushing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 11th (120.3) v. Steelers defense 4th (92.7)

Average net passing yards per game: Cincinnati offense 14th (227.4) v. Steelers defense 1st (180.6)

Average points per game: Cincinnati offense 12th (25.4) v. Steelers defense 8th (20.8)

Steelers Offense v. Cincinnati Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 19th (345.1) v. Cincinnati defense 6th (320.4)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 26th (96.5) v. Cincinnati defense 9th (101.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 10th (248.6) v. Cincinnati defense 12th (219.4)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (21.6) v. Cincinnati defense 10th (20.9)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cincinnati 4th (11.5) v. Steelers 26th (7.5)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cincinnati 9th (8.3) v. Steelers 27th (11.6)

Average yards per kick return: Cincinnati 10th (22.4) v. Steelers 9th (25.6)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cincinnati 20th (24.6) v. Steelers 16th (24.0)

Net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 7th (41.2) v. Steelers 29th (37.1)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cincinnati 1st (36.7) v. Steelers 17th (39.5)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cincinnati 14th (+2) v. Steelers 29th (-14)

Time of possession: Cincinnati 10th (31:01) v. Steelers 2nd (32:16)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cincinnati 12th (55.6%) v. Steelers 13th(54.5%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cincinnati 11th (51.4%) v. Steelers 13th (52.5%)

Sacks allowed: Cincinnati 25th (38) v. Steelers 16th (31)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Andy Dalton, 5th (89.4, 295 Comp., 62.5 Comp. Pct., 26 TDs, 14 INTs) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd (98.1, 255 Comp., 64.1 Comp. Pct., 22 TDs, 6 INTs)

Leading rushers: BenJarvus Green-Ellis 5th (1,080 yards, 263 attempts, 4.1 per carry, 6 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 14th (532 yards, 131 attempts, 4.1 per carry, 2 TDs)

Leading receivers: A.J. Green, 4th (85 receptions, 1,208 yards, 14.2 per reception, 5 touchdowns) v. Heath Miller, 10th (68 receptions, 771 yards, 11.3 yards per reception, 8 touchdowns)

Sacks:  Geno Atkins, 4th (10.5) v. Jason Worilds, 26th (5.0)

San Diego vs. Steelers: The matchups

One might look at the Chargers' horrible record (4-8) and be tempted to take this week's Steelers opponent lightly. But this Chargers team is so much better than their record, or statistics, indicate that it promises to be a long, tough battle at Heinz Field on Sunday. Indeed, the Chargers are 0-3 against the AFC North this season, but the losses were by a combined 11 points (with seven of that coming last week versus Cincinnati), and in their road games this season the Chargers are 2-4, but have only been outscored by a combined 8 points (114-122).

With all of that in mind, here are this week's statistical matchups:

San Diego Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: San Diego offense 26th (322.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (259.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: San Diego offense 26th (95.0) v. Steelers defense 5th (93.1)

Average net passing yards per game: San Diego offense 18th (227.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (166.7)

Average points per game: San Diego offense 19th (21.5) v. Steelers defense 6th (19.2)

Steelers Offense v. San Diego Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 20th (342.0) v. San Diego defense 9th (335.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 24th (101.1) v. San Diego defense 6th (94.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 14th (240.9) v. San Diego defense 21st (240.6)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (21.2) v. San Diego defense 12th (21.4)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: San Diego 31st (6.1) v. Steelers 27th (6.9)

Average yards allowed per punt return: San Diego 14th (9.3) v. Steelers 24th (10.9)

Average yards per kick return: San Diego 14th (24.1) v. Steelers 9th (26.2)

Average yards allowed per kick return: San Diego 7th (21.6) v. Steelers 21st (25.2)

Net yardage punting average: San Diego 15th (41.6) v. Steelers 28th (37.2)

Opponent net yardage punting average: San Diego 26th (41.8) v. Steelers 18th (40.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: San Diego 18th (-1) v. Steelers 29th (-11)

Time of possession: San Diego 5th (31:31) v. Steelers 2nd (33:31)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): San Diego 24th (47.4%) v. Steelers 19th (51.3%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): San Diego 29th (62.1%) v. Steelers 10th (50.0%)

Sacks allowed: San Diego 28th (36) v. Steelers 11th (25)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Philip Rivers, 6th (85.1 QB rating, 277 Comp., 65.3% Comp. pct., 18 TDs, 15 INTs) v. Charlie Batch, unranked (2012 season: 64.9 QB rating, Comp., 64.3% Comp. pct., 1 TD, 3 INTs)

AFC Leading rushers: Ryan Mathews, 12th (620 yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 1 touchdown) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 13th (478 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 1 touchdown)

AFC Leading receiver: Malcolm Floyd, 17th (51 catches, 765 yards, 15.0 per catch, 4 touchdowns) v. Heath Miller 14th (56 catches, 613 yards, 10.9 yards per catch, 7 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: Shaun Phillips, 10th (7.0) v. Jason Worilds, 20th (5.0)

Kansas City vs. Steelers: The matchups

There is no disputing that the Chiefs have a dreadful record (1-7), but some of their statistics (their "internals" to use the parlance of politics) point to a team that may be ready for a breakout performance. Given the way that the Steelers have always played to the level of their opponent, here's hoping that Monday is not a debacle.

Kansas City Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Kansas City offense 16th (357.5) v. Steelers defense 1st (262.6)
Average net rushing yards per game: Kansas City offense 3rd (149.9) v. Steelers defense 7th (88.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Kansas City offense 7th (207.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (174.0)
Average points per game: Kansas City offense 25th (16.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (20.5)

Steelers Offense v. Kansas City Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 14th (367.3) v. Kansas City defense 17th (349.9)
Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (104.9) v. Kansas City defense 22nd (102.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 10th (262.4) v. Kansas City defense 11th (247.4)v Average points per game: Steelers offense: 13th (23.9) v. Kansas City defense 30th (30.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Kansas City 9th (10.7) v. Steelers 11th (10.2)
Average yards allowed per punt return: Kansas City 29th (13.2) v. Steelers 16th (8.5)
Average yards per kick return: Kansas City 22nd (22.2) v. Steelers 4th (28.0)
Average yards allowed per kick return: Kansas City 17th (24.2) v. Steelers 26th (26.9)
Net yardage punting average: Kansas City 12th (40.4) v. Steelers 27th (37.4)
Opponent net yardage punting average: Kansas City 5th (38.0) v. Steelers 15th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Kansas City 32nd (-20) v. Steelers 13th (+0)
Time of possession: Kansas City 4th (31:58) v. Steelers 2nd (34:40)
Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Kansas City 32nd (31.6%) v. Steelers 15th (53.3%)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Kansas City 15th (51.4%) v. Steelers 24th (58.3%)
Sacks allowed: Kansas City 14th (17) v. Steelers 17th (18)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 15th (68.9, Comp. Pct.: 60.4, TDs: 6, INTs: 11, Avg. per Comp.: 6.59 yards) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (101.1, Comp. Pct.: 67.1, TDs: 16, INTs: 4, Avg. per Comp.: 7.39 yards)
AFC Leading rushers: Jamaal Charles, 4th (634 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 2 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 16th (299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman (274 yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 TDs)
AFC Leading receivers: Dwayne Bowe, 6th (45 catches, 571 yards, 12.7 per catch, 3 TDs) v. Mike Wallace, 12th (39 catches, 525 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns) Note: Antonio Brown,9th in AFC receiving, is not expected to play.
AFC sack leaders: Justin Houston, 5th (6.0 sacks) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley & Jason Worilds, 20th (3.0)