Ah, we're back in the Steel City once again this week, for a somewhat less than exciting NFL week, but hopefully we can get some offensive explosions out of this match-up. I think we're owed at least that, don't you?

Al Michaels just said the Steelers are poised to win the NFC North.
Moment of silence for Sean Taylor, of course, done before all games today. Classy. Jeff Reed kicks off and the returner is taken down at the 24 with a nice tackle. Carson Palmer rifles it for nine to T.J. Houshmanzadeh on the first play from scrimmage. Bengals get a first on a Pitt encroachment penalty. Worth noting, obviously, that safety Troy Polamalu is out for this game too. Chad Johnson takes the lateral and rushes it for a chunk, and 2nd down will be fairly short.

"What's the curricula at Swaggett?"- AM
"Whatever you want it to be." - JM

One of the Steelers' LBs went to a school called Swaggett, apparently. Palmer hits Housh on 3rd down for another first past midfield after a Rudi Johnson rush on 2nd down. Swing out to Ocho Cinco on first for about three yards. Looks like it's raining it Pittsburgh tonight. Cincy converts antoher 3rd and 11, this time via Palmer to Chris Henry. Rudi digs to the 25 for a few more. Palmer drills Housh again, but he's tackled short of the first and it's another 3rd down. Antonio Chatman converts it on a screen pass when the Steelers rush Palmer -- and 15 yards are added due to a face mask on safety Anthony Taylor.

Rudi powers in on 2nd and goal for the touchdown. Kick is up and good, and it's 7-0 for Cincy. Hot way to start for the Bengals, who can start playing spoiler (none of you actually think they can make the playoffs, right?)

Allen Rossum returns the kick off to the 20 yard line.

If he can beat a horse, he can beat a Stealer - konck

Anyone else thought that Madden wouldn't show up because Brett Favre was hurt? - Mookie

He was in mourning for most of Thursday night. Roethlisberger rifles the first pass over Nate Washington's head, Willie Parker gets stuffed on 2nd down. Steelers get a first via a hook-up by Big Ben to everyone's favorite half-Korean baller, Hines Ward.

"He has very strong and powerful legs." - JM, on Hines Ward.

Roethlisberger steps out of the pocket and hurls a pass that gets deflected and picked over the middle. Ward tipped it and a Bengal CB got it before it hit the ground.

It looks like Palmer always has a wideout open early. This is a demonstration of just how crucial having Chris Henry around is -- you can't double team everyone. Next pass after a Kenny Watson rush is broken up by DeShea Townsend. I expect Madden to remind us one more time that Palmer calls the plays in the no-huddle. 3rd and 2 is thrown behind Watson, and it's punting time. Rossum fair catches it around the 20.

"I guess if you're doing a Steeler game, you've gotta be an expert in horticulture." - AM, making a grass joke. It'll be first and 15 after a false start. Hearing Andrea Kremer talking about rotating the balls makes me giggle for obvious reasons. Hearing John Madden talk about the wet spot on the ball makes me shiver for even more obvious reasons.

Rush for a few yards, making it 2nd and nine. Parker gets smashed on the 2nd down rush behind the line of scrimmage. No blocking whatsoever right there. 3rd and 12 is incomplete and Cincy will get the ball for the third time so far this quarter. Chatman catches the punt with good field position.

The teams are now trading three and outs, and I really hope this doesn't last for too long. Parker rushes for 3 yards, but that'll be coming back about half the distance as Kendall Simmons gets flagged for unnecessary roughness. 2nd down to Ward is a short completion, and 3rd down is incomplete. Punting again, and basically, Ben and the receivers aren't together right now. Shite punt by Daniel Sepulveda, around the Pitt 40 -- and there's a flag, too. Ineligible man downfield will put them at about the 34 of the Steelers. Two rushes by Cincy and we've got the end of the first quarter -- this game's making me sleepy already.

speaking of commercials, anyone else think these new Michelob commercials are a complete rip off of the Samuel Adams ones? It's like they aren't even trying. - Kit

Beer commercials are not necessarily known for originality except in some extreme cases.

Anyone else feel like this Nissan commercial (you know the one) is becoming torturous? If I had a $ for every time I've seen it...- Matthew

The Ford Edge one with the woman with the huge eyes staring out the panoramic roof is going to get about as annoying quickly. The Bengals can't convert the 3rd down pass, as Palmer throws it high. Shayne Graham's going to try a field goal from 43 out, and he hooks it to the right. Steelers get the ball back.

Tonight would be a pretty good night for NBC to start advertising that NHL Amp'd Energy Winter Classic considering Pittsburgh's team's in it, but knowing them they won't at all.- ryanmcd29

Your wish is NBC's command, Ryan, they just pimped it. It's weird to see a hockey promotion on a broadcast network.

Al, "inactivating" is not a word. Please remember this for future use when you try and verb adjectives. Big Ben to Ward for a first down on the pass.

Andrea notes "other issues" regarding Najeh Davenport's being out for the game. We presume he wans't able to take his pre-game dump in the back closet. Throw to Heath Miller for 2nd and 1, Parker then gets the first down. More Fast Willie for a few extra on 1st down. Basically, this is all Parker right now as the Steelers are within the Bengals-10 yard line with a 2nd and goal right now -- and Roethsliberger rolls out, runs, and leaps over the Cincy CB for a touchdown. Jeff Reed's kick is up and good, and it's tied 7-7.

One would have thought Marvin Lewis would have challenged that.

I love this Eli Manning Citizen-Eco Drive watch ad: every time it says he's unstoppable, I keep thinking of how many picks he's thrown lately. Doesn't matter that he led his team back to a win this week.

Oh....that's not good, Glenn Holt. Fumbling the kickoff at the 19, and the Steelers recover. Ben throws to Heath Miller and it's called a completion due to a force out. 1st and goal, Parker gets two yards.

"When Cincinnati wins the turnover battle, they're 4-0. When they don't, they're 0-7, and their record is 4-7." - AM. Ow, ow, ow. Thank you for the blinding flash of the obvious, Al. The drive stalls at the Bengal 3 yard line, and Jeff Reed's FG try is up and good. 10-7, Steelers.

If a Citizen Eco-Drive is as unstoppable as Eli, I think I'll stick with the $15 watch I bought at Wal-Mart. - Joel

Nicely done. The Bengals start at the 30 after Glenn Holt manages not to fumble the kickoff this time. We have a shot of the inactive Cousin Itt...er...Troy Polamalu, and I predict he will become nothing but hair if he keeps growing the mane and the beard over the next few years. Cincy TE Reggie Kelly is the latest receiver to get a catch from Palmer, and stretches for a first down. Palmer has to cover up after getting hit and losing the ball on the next play.

I think John Madden just circled Franco Harris while talking about Pitt's front seven.....- AA

Cousin Itt is looking to top Franco is the Steeler Beard Hall of Fame. The Steelers stop up the Bengals on 3rd and long. Rossum takes the Kyle Larsen punt up five yards to the 34 yard line of the Steelers. Pitt has moved it past midfield and to the Bengal 32 as the 2 minute warning comes along.

Chronicling the five choices for annoying ad right now:

a) Pizza Hut Double Deep ad
b) Michelob ripping off Sam Adams ad
c) Nissan Rogue ad with the shape of that ball moving game
d) Eli Manning's watch ad
e) the Jeep ad with the animals singing "Rock Me Gently" (which Anon just reminded us of)

There's something truly annoying about animating animals to sing bad 70s rock, and it's even worse when burgers are involved, like the wind-up burger in the Wendy's ad singing Air Supply.

The Steelers are now around the Bengals' 13 yard line. The 3rd down play gets a first down at the Bengals' 3 via a pass to Nate Washington, and the Steelers spike it to save the time out. Roethlisberger rolls out on the bootleg to the right and throws it in to Hines Ward for six. Kick is good, and it's 17-7, Steelers.

That's how we'll end the half, too. See you in the second half thread, folks.