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Bengals in dire need of win vs. Steelers

Dec 2, 2007 - 12:32 PM Cincinnati (4-7) at Pittsburgh (8-3) 8:15 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Bengals could not have picked a better time to break out of their offensive funk.

The Bengals look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive when they visit the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in an AFC North clash.

Trailing division foe Cleveland by three games for the final playoff spot, Cincinnati needs to build upon the momentum of last week's 35-6 drubbing of the Tennessee Titans.

The Bengals played their best overall game of the season in dismantling the Titans, helped by their offense finally coming alive.

Quarterback Carson Palmer was 32-of-38 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns - all to star wide receiver Chad Johnson.

Scoring for the first time since Week Two, Johnson finished with a career-high 12 receptions for 103 yards.

"I think that is obviously the best football we've played this season," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "I thought we made good football plays in all three phases."

Running back Rudi Johnson also turned in his best game since Week Two. Plagued by injuries throughout the season, Johnson had a season-high 25 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Cincinnati's defense also came big, holding its second opponent in three weeks to single digits.

The Steelers needed only single digits to squeak past the winless Miami Dolphins, 3-0, on Monday night.

Due to heavy rains, the field conditions were nearly unplayable, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger still finished 18-of-21 for 165 yards and an interception.

Steelers president Arthur J. Rooney II said the team is working with NFL officials to improve the conditions for the game against the Bengals, but a slower track probably will favor Pittsburgh, which is 6-0 at home this season.

Running back Willie Parker rushed for 81 yards on 24 carries on the sloshy Heinz Field turf and will be looking for his fourth straight 100-yard game against the Bengals.

In a 24-13 win at Cincinnati in Week Eight, Parker rambled for 126 yards and Roethlisberger threw a pair of touchdowns to Hines Ward.