By Mike Ashcraft
SteelerNation.com
The Steelers (4-2) host AFC North Division rival Cincinnati (2-3) on Sunday (Oct. 22) at Heinz Field with an opportunity to move into the driver's seat of the conference playoff race with a victory over their bitter rivals. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised by CBS Sports, with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on the call. The game will also be broadcast on 102.5 WDVE-FM and the Steelers Radio Network, with Bill Hillgrove, Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley calling the action.
SERIES HISTORY
There's no love lost when those two meet. The Steelers lead the regular season series with Cincinnati, 58-35 -- including a 31-16 mark in games played in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have taken four straight from the Bengals. Pittsburgh earned a 24-16 victory in the Bengals' last trip to Heinz Field on Sept. 18, 2016. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger overcame a pair of interceptions to throw for 259 yards and three touchdowns -- including scoring strikes to tight ends Jesse Jame and Xavier Grimble. Pittsburgh swept the 2016 regular season series by taking down Cincinnati, 24-20, on Dec. 18, 2016. Roethlisberger found wide receiver Eli Rogers for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to lift Pittsburgh to the win. Kicker Chris Boswell hit six field goals for the Steelers in the victory. The Steelers were assessed 104 penalty yards by referee Bill Vinovich and his crew in the win. Vinovich's crew is set to officiate Sunday's game at Heinz Field.
MEMORABLE MATCHUP
The Steelers clinched the 2014 AFC North Division title with a 27-17 triumph over the Bengals in the regular season finale on Sunday Night Football on Dec. 28, 2014. Roethlisberger went 24-of-38 for 317 yards and two touchdowns passes. Wide receiver Antonio Brown hauled in seven passes for 128 yards and a touchdown and opened the scoring by returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. He sealed the win by scoring on a 63-yard fourth-quarter pass from Roethlisberger.
NOTABLE FRANCHISE CONNECTION
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis served as Pittsburgh's linebackers coach from 1992-95 under Bill Cowher, helping to lead the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX.
SERIES HIGHS
Passing Yards — Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, 386, 12/4/2005; Bengals: Jon Kitna, 411, 12/30/2001
Rushing Yards — Steelers: Le’Veon Bell, 185, 12/7/2014; Bengals: James Brooks, 133, 9/30/1985
Receiving Yards — Steelers: Lynn Swann, 192, 12/2/1979; Bengals: A.J. Green, 224, 12/7/2014
#SteelerNation
