When the Steelers have the ball: There has been only one game this season in which QB Ben Roethlisberger has not been sacked, and that was the first meeting against the Bengals. Roethlisberger has attempted 83 passes the past two games, an inordinately high number given his sore right shoulder. But he has scaled back on attacking deep and instead has focused on taking what the defense yields. That has meant a lot of underneath stuff to WR Hines Ward and TE Matt Spaeth, who has 12 catches in the past two games. Ward has 20 catches in the past two games and posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for the first time in six years. The Bengals might be without S Chinedum Ndukwe (foot), but his replacement, Chris Crocker, had a sack and interception against the Eagles.

When the Bengals have the ball: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sacked more times per game (4.5) than Roethlisberger (3.2), a season-high seven of which came in the first meeting against the Steelers, and has not completed a pass longer than 36 yards. He can expect more of the same tonight, especially with LT Anthony Collins making his first NFL start for injured Levi Jones. Collins has to stop OLB James Harrison, who had two of his team-high 12 sacks and five hurries in the first meeting. RB Cedric Benson, who had 52 yards on 14 carries in the first meeting, has settled in as the feature back for the Bengals.

Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh: He leads the NFL in receptions (73) and third-down catches (24). The Steelers' defensive focus has always been on Chad Johnson -- a. k. a. Ocho Cinco -- who is the Bengals' big-play receiver. But the Bengals' offense doesn't produce big plays and most of the attention gets funneled toward Houshmand-zadeh, especially on third-down. Houshmand-zadeh had eight catches for 58 yards in the first meeting, but he did not catch a pass longer than 19 yards. He has 19 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown in his past two games.

Game: Bengals (1-8-1) vs. Steelers (7-3).

When: 8:15 p.m.

Where: Heinz Field.

TV/radio: NFL Network, WPCW; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

Here's something you don't hear often: The Bengals haven't lost in their past two games. Their 13-13 tie against the Eagles probably was not good timing, either, having to play an extra period in a short week. The Bengals have lost 11 of the past 14 meetings vs. the Steelers, including 38-10 Oct. 19 in Cincinnati. But they have won two of the past three games in Heinz Field. The Steelers have won their past three on a Thursday night, including last year in St. Louis.

1. File a PFA (Protect Fitzpatrick Always): The Steelers LBs accounted for all seven sacks in the first meeting.

2 Administer an Ex-Cedric headache. Benson knocked out two Steelers players on a 15-yard run in the first meeting.

3 Don't let Willie get silly. Parker averages 113.6 yards in six career games against the Bengals, who have allowed just two 100-yard rushers this season.

1. Get plays from Gay. CB William Gay will be making his second NFL start and will line in the slot against Houshmandzadeh in the nickel and dime defense.

2. Make a splash. The offense hasn't produced a touchdown in six quarters.

3. Jump Geathers. The Bengals were the only team this season not to sack Roethlisberger, but DE Robert Geathers has had a sack in each of the past two games.