PITTSBURGH (0-1) at CINCINNATI (0-1)
Monday, 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE -- Bengals by 6
RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Pittsburgh 0-1, Cincinnati 0-0-1.
SERIES RECORD -- Steelers lead 53-33
LAST MEETING -- Bengals beat Steelers 13-10 on Dec. 23
LAST WEEK -- Steelers lost to Titans 16-9; Bengals lost to Bears 24-21
AP PRO32 RANKING -- Steelers No. 27, Bengals No. 14.
STEELERS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (31), RUSH (31), PASS (27)
STEELERS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (3), RUSH (23), PASS (2)
BENGALS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (17), RUSH (26t), PASS (14)
BENGALS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (13), RUSH (16), PASS (14)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Bengals had breakthrough win in series last time they met, at Heinz Field to clinch second AFC wild card and knock Steelers out of playoff contention. ... Steelers are trying to avoid opening 0-2 for first time since 2002. ... Focus will be on LB James Harrison in first game against former team. Harrison left Steelers when they couldn't agree on restructured contract and signed with Bengals as free agent. ... Steelers have won 10 of past 11 at Cincinnati. ... Ben Roethlisberger, who grew up in Ohio and attended nearby Miami University, is 14-5 as starter against Bengals, 9-3 in Monday night games. He has thrown for 300 yards against Bengals only one time. ... LB LaMarr Woodley needs one sack to move ahead of Greg Lloyd for fifth-most sacks with Steelers. ... Bengals are trying for third straight win over AFC North opponent. After beating Steelers in Pittsburgh, they beat Baltimore team that rested starters to get ready for playoffs. ... Bengals are 9-20 in Monday night games. ... Andy Dalton completed career-high 78.7 percent of passes in loss at Chicago, going 26 of 33. ... All-Pro receiver A.J. Green had his most prolific opener, catching nine passes for 162 yards.
