The outlook isnrsquot so bright for the Bengals

H&R Blockprovides income tax return preparation and related services and productsvia a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned andfranchised offices and through Tax Cut(R) online and software solutions.The company also provides business services through RSM McLaren. For moreinformation visit our Online Press Center at Further Information:ContactNancy Mays816.854.4537 or 816.695.6509Email ContactCopyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.-0-. 15-9 on the season I am Somewhat satisfied I am Going undefeated this week I will Another NFL weekend doozy coming up. Although the season is already dwindling, the matchups continue to heat up. It’s a shame football can’t be played all year long but while it’s here, we got to enjoy every drop of it. And the flavor couldn’t be better for this week with four huge games on the menu.

Typically, I’m pretty sure about my picks but I could easily see me going winless this week. All four major matchups this week contain teams that can easily beat one another but even though I’m not completely sure, something had to be done: Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)There’s no better matchup than a slate between two good division teams. It also helps when both teams absolutely hate each other and Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer has already gone on record in recent years saying he hates the Steelers. After clobbering two pretty good teams last week both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati will enter Sunday with the division on the line.A Bengals win would give them a stranglehold over the division with a 5-0 divisional record. The Steelers had a firm grip on that game before a dropped touchdown pass and a pick-six led to their 23-20 loss. But things are a little different this time around for both squads.Sophomore running back Rashard Mendenhall gets his crack at the Bengals after being benched for disciplinary reasons in the first meeting.

He has singlehandedly restored the Pittsburgh running game and the Steelers offense is benefiting from it. Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu will also get his first start against Cincinnati this season after missing the first meeting with a knee injury. Polamalu is the center piece to the Steelers’ puzzling defense and has two interceptions in three games since his return.The outlook isn’t so bright for the Bengals. They lost wide receiver and notorious “Steeler-Killer” Chris Henry last week to a broken arm but that was before leading sack man Antawn Odom went down with a ruptured Achilles.Cincinnati is the most balanced team in the AFC but the Steelers are known to wipe balance away from opposing teams. The Bengals have fed off running back Cedric Benson and their running game all season but Pittsburgh leads the league in run defense, giving up just 70.4 yards a game. Pittsburgh had Cincinnati on the ropes in their first contest but couldn’t finish them off because of a lackluster running game.