(Sports Network) - The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers weren't able to sustain success after winning an AFC North title the previous season. It's a trend the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals are on pace to continue.
Steelers Vs. Bengals: Cincinnati Tries To Rekindle Lackluster Season Against Pittsburgh
Cincinnati orchestrated one of the NFL's best turnarounds last season, bouncing back from a dreadful 4-11-1 campaign in 2008 to win 10 games and edge both Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division crown. This year's edition started off with wins in two of its first three tests, but has since lost four consecutive times to fall three games behind both the Steelers and the Ravens in the current AFC North standings.
The Bengals have still been competitive during their lengthy skid, as all four of the defeats have been by eight points or less and the team had a second- half lead in three of those games.
Cincinnati held an eight-point advantage late in the second quarter of last Sunday's clash with Miami, but its offense went cold after halftime and the Dolphins put up 16 unanswered points to come away with a 22-14 victory. The Bengals mustered a mere 78 total yards and five first downs over the final 30 minutes, with up-and-down quarterback Carson Palmer completing just 8-of-22 passes for 52 yards during that span.
While the talented Bengals have been viewed as underachievers, Pittsburgh exceeded most insiders' expectations by compiling a 3-1 record while starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger began the season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The Steelers tacked on two more wins once Roethlisberger returned, but couldn't maintain the momentum in a 20-10 road setback to reigning Super Bowl champ New Orleans in Week 8.
Pittsburgh had its lowest offensive output this season with Roethlisberger under center, gaining a modest 279 total yards and 13 first downs against the Saints, while a usually air-tight defense was shredded for 305 passing yards by New Orleans triggerman Drew Brees and gave up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
The loss, the Steelers’ first in four away dates so far in 2010, placed Pittsburgh in a tie with Baltimore for the top spot in the AFC North with a 5-2 record.
Cincinnati fell to 1-2 at home with last week's verdict and has now dropped nine of its past 12 overall games, which includes a loss to the visiting New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs this past January, dating back to last season.
The Bengals also often haven’t fared well when facing Pittsburgh in recent years, and especially so on their home turf. The Steelers had prevailed in eight straight trips to Paul Brown Stadium, including a win in the 2005 AFC Playoffs, before Cincinnati came through with a 23-20 decision during September of last season.
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