STEELERS BLACK -N- GOLD POST A Pittsburgh Steelers Blog from the heart of Steelers Nation.

by Ramona Dye

Our Pittsburgh Steelers will host the rival Cincinnati Bengals at home Sunday at 1 p.m., with first place in the division at stake. Just like the old days.

The Bengals are undefeated in our division so far this season. Cincinnati, at 4-0, already has swept the Ravens, and they also have wins over the Browns in Cleveland and our Steelers in Cincinnati.

One just hopes that they realize that the team that they beat in Cincinnati on September 27Th will not be the same team they will face this Sunday.

This game will come down to which offense makes the least amount of mistakes and which defense can put enough pressure on their opponents offense and stop the big plays. I believe our Steelers have the defensive advantage.

The Bengals' Cedric Benson will be the latest to attempt what many NFL running backs have repeatedly failed to do, run for 100 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During the past five seasons, only three backs have gained 100 yards against Pittsburgh and, counting the playoffs, no one has done it in the last 30 games. Fred Taylor of Jacksonville was the last to accomplish the feat by rushing for 147 yards in 2007, the only 100-yard game by an opposing back in Pittsburgh since 2004.

Running against the Steelers defense that allows only around 70.4 yards rushing per game usually results in a double-digit and sometimes, low double digits day.

Three times this season, an opponent's leading rusher has not gained more than 29 yards. That's pretty impressive considering what these running backs are doing to other teams defenses.

Among the running backs who've failed to gain 100 yards during the 30-game streak are Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Chris Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Steve Slaton, Brandon Jacobs, Steven Jackson, Clinton Portis and Cedric Benson. As you can see several have failed to do so.

Benson, the former Bears running back, could prove to be one of the biggest challengers to the streak when the Bengals (6-2) play our Steelers (6-2) for first place in the AFC North.

Since our Steelers and the Bengals moved into the same division back in 1970, the Bengals have had only five 100-yard rushers in Pittsburgh and only two during the last 20 seasons. Rudi Johnson had 123 yards in 2004 and Corey Dillon gained 120 yards in 1999. Prior to that was James Brooks with a 127 yard game in 1989.

Benson, who has only gained 76, 35 and 52 yards in his last three games against our Steelers defense could find himself in for a long day.

Losing left tackle Aaron Smith will be a challenge for the Steelers defense but the resurgence of Troy Polamalu who missed the first match-up against the Bengals in week three could make all the difference in stopping the run.

"Troy makes some plays that he's supposed to make, that somebody else should make, and plays you shake your head and say, 'Wow, how did he do that?' " Lewis said. "He's a great student of the game."

                                         ~ Marvin Lewis

Our Steelers seem to be playing back to their 2009 abilities with a little better offensive line and a rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace, who could be in the running for rookie of the year.

One thing is sure, this rivalry sets forth another big game which could very well decide the winner of the AFC North.

As always, Here We Go!!!