Throw out the records – it’s “Bengals-Steelers”!

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CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-8-1) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-3) (Thursday night, NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET)

STORYLINE: Throw out the records – it’s “Bengals-Steelers”!

 

“Hey, we’re a good team, regardless of the record,” says Cincinnati S CHRIS CROCKER. And no better time to prove it than Thursday night in the lair of the hated AFC North-rival Steelers, who defeated the Bengals a month ago 38-10.

 

It won’t be easy. Although they just edged San Diego 11-10 on Sunday, the Steelers seem to be solidifying things as the Thanksgiving turn approaches. QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER didn’t throw an interception against the Chargers, RB WILLIE PARKER ran for 115 yards and WR HINES WARD produced 124 yards. In Ward’s last three games against Cincinnati, he has had 15 catches for 238 yards and five touchdowns.

 

It will be a top-this showdown between Ward and the Bengals’ T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH, who leads the NFL in receptions with 73 and comes off a 12-catch, 149-yard, one-TD day against Philadelphia. Houshmandzadeh’s specialty is going underneath and turning the short catch into long gains.

 

Congrats, Coach: Steelers defensive coordinator DICK LE BEAU, the Bengals’ head coach from 2000-02, will be honored by the NFL in pregame for his 50 years of service to the league as a player and coach.