Patriots RB Kevin Faulk: He's averaging 5.6 yards per carry. But where Faulk really excels is as the Patriots' third-down back. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has likened Faulk (5-foot-8, 2002 pounds) to New England LB Tedy Bruschi in that Faulk is an "above-the-neck player," one as capable of beating you with his instincts and feel for the game as he is his considerable skill set. Faulk has been that for going on 10 years now in the NFL.

Faulk has 372 yards rushing and 315 receiving this season -- he's New England's leading rusher and third-leading receiver behind WRs Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Faulk will be a factor when the Patriots spread the field, which, given their history of success when doing so against the Steelers, ought to happen more often than not.

THE Steelers' PASS DEFENSE: The Steelers have been ranked No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense for the past six weeks, and No. 1 in rushing, passing and total defense for the past two. They're No. 8 in third-down conversions, limiting opponents to a success rate of 36. 1 percent, and have allowed 170 first downs overall (No. 3 in the NFL).

Their success begins with and depends upon a pass rush that has accounted for 37 sacks (second to the 39 Philadelphia had registered prior to Thursday). By consistently pressuring passers, the Steelers have been able to avoid big plays against them on all but a couple of occasions and have forced offenses to drive the length of the field against them, which hasn't been easy. That would help explain the Steelers' No. 1 ranking in scoring defense (14.5 points per game).

THE MATCHUP: Moss is the big-play threat and Welker the third-down guy in the Patriots' attack, but Faulk is the security blanket whether the QB is Matt Cassel or Tom Brady. Faulk can make plays on draws and screens. Because of his elusiveness and because he always knows where the sticks are, he's a matchup problem for a linebacker such as James Farrior or Lawrence Timmons. And with Moss, Welker and Jabar Gaffney roaming the secondary in passing situations, the Steelers may have no choice but to try to handle Faulk with a linebacker. One other thing, Faulk is reliable when it comes to picking up blitzes. EDGE: Patriots

LAST WEEK: Bengals RB Cedric Benson was as ineffective (16 carries, 35 yards, a 2.2 average) as the rest of the Cincinnati offense in a 27-10 Steelers victory that saw the Bengals get a touchdown early, a field goal late and very little in between. EDGE: Steelers