Now they go to Pittsburgh for a Thursday night game against the 7-3 Steelers.

Cincinnati is 1-8-1.

The Bengals played a full 75 minutes against the Eagles and have to turn around and play in four days.

"It's a tough game to swallow, and in a normal week, you have some time to heal physically," Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said after the tie. "But this is a short week, and it will be a physical game as it always is against the Steelers. But we'll be ready."

The Bengals are potentially short-handed. Two defensive starters, end Antwan Odom (shoulder) and safety Chinedum Ndukwe (foot), could be out. So might two starters on the offensive line, left guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle) and left tackle Levi Jones (back).

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has tried to stay positive throughout the long season -- even after the disappointing tie against the Eagles that he said felt more like a loss.

"Some guys, particularly on defense, did some good things we can build on," Lewis said. "But when guys play as hard as they did today and you don't get a win, it's a tough one. They played down to their socks, but it was a day where we obviously just didn't get enough points. We have to figure out a way to get some points. That's the thing that is stalling us now."

The Bengals are averaging only 13.8 points per game, 31st in the NFL.

Fitzpatrick started his sixth game of the year against Philadelphia, and he will start again at Pittsburgh. All of his starts have come in place of two-time Pro Bowler Carson Palmer, who remains out with elbow soreness.

"Our frustration level is high right now," said Fitzpatrick, who started in Cincinnati's home loss to Pittsburgh on Oct. 19. "The defense played well (against the Eagles), and on offense, we had some opportunities in the fourth quarter and overtime that we didn't capitalize on."

SERIES HISTORY: 77th meeting -- The Steelers lead 46-30 in the regular season. The Steelers have won the last four games, including a 38-10 decision on Oct. 19 at Paul Brown Stadium, but the Bengals are 3-2 under head coach Marvin Lewis at Heinz Field. The Bengals are 3-4 all-time at Heinz Field and are 13-25 in all games at Pittsburgh. The Steelers won the only postseason game between the two clubs on Jan. 8, 2006, at Paul Brown Stadium, prevailing 31-17. The Bengals have played more games against the Steelers than against any other opponent. Tennessee (formerly Houston Oilers) is second with 72 meetings, and Cleveland is third with 70.