Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Pittsburgh 34 at Cincinnati 7 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Pittsburgh Steelers: Tommy Maddox solidified his position as starter, while looking sharp for the most part. Maddox made the quick decisions necessary to move the ball. Definitely seems to look to WR Plaxico Burress. Burress was Maddox's go-to guy. He caught half of the Steeler pass completions. Made a nice adjustment on the 36-yard second play from scrimmage. That play put the Bengal defense on their heels and it was downhill from there. The running game was opened up by the big-gainer to Burress. Jerome Bettis was not touched in the first 20 yards of his 41-yard touchdown run. He sat down after achieving reaching the 100-yard mark midway through the fourth, against the struggling Bengals. Cincinnati Bengals: Jon Kitna got the start and played the entire game. With the situation in Cincinnati, you have to wonder how many more starts he has left in him. Kitna was effective on the opening drive, but just couldn't get things going. Whenever the pocket started collapsing, you knew something bad was going to happen. And it did. Corey Dillon had another frustrating day. The Bengal offensive line is beat up and Dillon could not get outside against the speedy linebackers of the Steelers. He also dropped two passes as the Bengals tried to get the ball in his hands anyway they could. Chad Johnson established himself as the number one receiver in Cincinnati, for what that's worth. Johnson caught seven of Kitna's first 13 completions. The Bengal's defense and special teams were not effective. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Pittsburgh Steelers QB: Tommy Maddox - Solidified his position as starter, while looking sharp for the most part. Maddox made the quick decisions necessary to move the ball. He did throw two interceptions, but one was when Plaxico Burress slipped and fell. The second was on a tipped ball off of Hines Ward's hands. Maddox started the game going 9 for 10, with the only non-completion being the Burress slip. RB: Jerome Bettis - Bettis was not touched in the first 20 yards of his 41-yard touchdown run. He sat down after achieving reaching the 100-yard mark midway through the fourth. The Bengals made the fatal mistake of allowing him to get started and pick up steam. He's tough to bring down once he gets started. Amos Zereoue - Was an effective change of pace to Bettis. The Steelers used him on deep pitches, screens and draws. WR: Plaxico Burress - Maddox looked to Burress first and for good reason. Burress was getting himself open deep against the Bengal secondary. He caught half of the Steeler pass completions. Made a nice adjustment on the 36-yard second play from scrimmage. That play put the Bengal defense on their heels and it was downhill from there. Hines Ward - Nice cutbacks on the reverse. Provided misdirection that opened things up for Bettis. Was the underneath receiver as Burress went deep. Maddox led him too much on a couple of occasions, including one of the interceptions. Antwaan Randle El - Great return man, taking a kick for 99 yards. Gained 25 on a 5-yard hook. Exciting moves. Terance Mathis - Dropped his only chance, during the two-minute offense before the half. TE: Mark Bruener - Only got one opportunity, but Maddox missed him badly. Steelers Pass Defense: Did a good job pressuring Kitna, against a makeshift Bengal line. Took advantage of multiple Kitna mistakes. Dwayne Washington blanketed Danny Farmer on a fourth down fade in the end zone. Steelers Rush Defense: Linebacker Kendrell Bell did not play due to injury. Steelers did not miss him as the front four stuffed any holes for Dillon. Steelers Special Teams: Randle El took a kick return 99 yards to the house, after a fake reverse. Todd Peterson should not feel too comfortable as the team's kicker. His kickoffs are lucky to make it inside the 20, while he badly missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Cincinnati Bengals QB: Jon Kitna - Got the start and played the entire game. With the situation in Cincinnati, you have to wonder how many more starts he has left in him. Kitna was effective on the opening drive, going 3-5 with two drops by receivers. He was running the team well with audibles and formation shifts before Neil Rackers was short on a 46-yard attempt. From there, the short game was not moving the ball and Kitna could not hit anyone deep. Kitna was regularly throwing off his back foot into coverage, resulting in the three interceptions. Whenever the pocket started collapsing, you knew something bad was going to happen. And it did. RB: Corey Dillon - Had another frustrating day. The Bengal offensive line is beat up with starting tackle Richmond Webb and guard Mike Goff out. Rookie Levi Jones and Scott Rehberg replaced them, respectively. Dillon could not get outside against the speedy linebackers of the Steelers. He also dropped two passes as the Bengals tried to get the ball in his hands anyway they could. WR: Chad Johnson - Established himself as the number one receiver in Cincinnati, for what that's worth. Johnson caught seven of Kitna's first 13 completions. Peter Warrick - Had more rushes than receptions. Does not seem to show the desire to go for the ball in traffic. Kitna missed him deep against a triple team and again on a 40-yarder. Michael Westbrook - Was inactive for the game, although no pregame injury was reported. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Taunting call basically wiped out his 19-yard reception. Still the number four receiver. Danny Farmer - Dwayne Washington blanketed Danny Farmer on a fourth down fade in the end zone. TE: Matt Schobel - The rookie replaced the injured Sean Brewer and never a got a look. Bengals Pass Defense: Cincinnati wasted Kevin Kaesviharn's interception by conservative play calling. Both interceptions were unforced. Tackle Tony Williams was the only Bengal to pressure Maddox. Bengals Rush Defense: Once Maddox found success through the air, the Bengals were on their heels the rest of the game. The linebackers could not fill the holes to stop Bettis or Zereoue. Bengals Special Teams: Indicative of the Bengals' overall play. Neil Rackers was short on a 46-yard attempt on the opening drive. An onside kick recovery was nullified by offsides. Kick coverage team also gave up the 99-yarder to Randle El.