Bengals Vs. Steelers Tale Of The Tape

A week after losing their openers both the Bengals and the Steelers come into Monday’s night game desperately needing a win.

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker James Harrison (92) on the sidelines in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati has been hyped and promoted all preseason as possibly the best team in the AFC while the Steelers have garnered very little interest around the league.

Cincinnati opened up the season in Chicago with a disappointing 24-12 loss, a loss that should have been a Bengals win if not for a few mental mistakes. The Bengals are a very young team with a lot of promise. Led by third year quarterback Andy Dalton and AJ Green Cincinnati will look to pick up their first win of the season Monday night.

Pittsburgh comes into this game off a very bad loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers have grown increasingly older as the years following their recent success have passed. A mix of old veterans and new young players has not worked out well for the Steelers.

These two teams split their two games in 2012. Cincinnati won at Pittsburgh (13-10) while Pittsburgh won at Cincinnati (24-17). This series a few years ago was a very hotly contested game, Cincinnati looks to change that this season. Their win last December ended Pittsburgh’s 5 game winning streak against the Bengals.

What to watch for tonight? Can Andy Dalton repeat last weeks performance in which he completed 78.8% of his passes. Will Giovani Bernard get more touches tonight, he had 4 last week for 22 yards while first string running back BenJarvus Green Ellis had 14 carries for 25 yards a 1.8 yard average.

Pittsburgh quarter back Ben Roethlisberger played his college ball up the road in Oxford, OH at Miami. That will be mentioned 5-15 times tonight by ESPN so be prepared.

The biggest story line though will be linebacker James Harrison playing against his former team for the first time. Will he lay out Roethlisberger or will he find compassion is his cold soul? Watch to find out.

Prediction: Bengals 31 Steelers 20

TV: ESPN 8:30pm ET or WatchESPN

Radio: ESPN Radio 1530