The Steelers, as expected, were without cornerbacks Bryant McFadden (arm) and Deshea Townsend (hamstring) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back) because of injuries. Max Starks started his sixth consecutive game at left tackle while William Gay started at the cornerback spot opposite Ike Taylor. In addition to McFadden, Townsend and Smith, defensive end Orpheus Roye, outside linebacker Bruce Davis, cornerback Roy Lewis, offensive tackle Tony Hills and quarterback Dennis Dixon were inactive for the game.

? Both starters on the left side of Cincinnati's offensive line didn't play. Rookie Anthony Collins made his first career start in place of left tackle Levi Jones (back) as did Nate Livings, who filled in at left guard because of injuries to starter Andrew Whitworth (ankle) and backup Scott Kooistra (knee). Joining Jones, Whitworth, Kooistra and wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco (disciplinary reasons) on the Bengals' inactive list were quarterback Carson Palmer (elbow) defensive end Antwan Odom (shoulder), strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe (foot) and defensive end Eric Henderson (neck).

? The Steelers honored defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau for the 50 years he has spent in the NFL as a player and a coach. Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and team president Art Rooney II made a presentation to LeBeau, and the Steelers' defensive players and coach Mike Tomlin watched as LeBeau addressed the crowd at Heinz Field. LeBeau has distinguished himself as a player and a coach, and he is tied for seventh on the NFL's all-time interceptions list with 62.

? The Bengals deactivated Ocho Cinco after the outspoken wide receiver -- formerly known as Chad Johnson -- violated a team rule. It marked another setback in what has been a disappointing season for Ocho Cinco. He has just 383 receiving yards and is averaging 9.3 yards per catch. He has six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons but has not been a factor in the Bengals' offense this season.

? The Steelers prepared for the cold weather by practicing outside Tuesday and doing so without any heaters. "I guess they were trying to teach us a lesson," running back Willie Parker said. "I guess if you play in (cold weather), you've got to practice in it." Parker and his teammates did get a break from the cold weather Wednesday as the team practiced indoors.

? Fans voted James Harrison the GMAC defensive player of the week for his performance last Sunday against the San Diego Chargers . Harrison had a sack that resulted in a safety and the Steelers' first score in their 11-10 win. He also intercepted a pass that stopped a Chargers drive and led to a Jeff Reed field goal just before the half.

? Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh drew the ire of Steelers fans in 2005 when he used a Terrible Towel to clean his cleats after the Bengals' 38-31 victory at Heinz Field. The win that helped secure an AFC North title for Cincinnati seems like a long time ago, as Houshmandzadeh acknowledged earlier this week. "The way this season has gone, there won't be none of that going on," Houshmandzadeh said. "You can't showboat when you're 1-8-1."

Digits

157 -- Consecutive regular-season games in which Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has caught at least one pass.