(Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers arent accustomed to losing. So youll not blame them if their reaction to a 2-3 start this year is especially jittery. Pittsburgh started at least 6-2 in each of coach Mike Tomlins first five seasons, reached the postseason in eight of the last 11 years, made three Super Bowl appearances and won two championships. But, heading into Sunday nights visit to AFC North Division rival Cincinnati, its the first time theyve reached game six of a season with a losing record since Tomlin replaced Bill Cowher. They opened 2-6 in Cowhers second-to-last season in 2006 after winning the league title in 2005. Watch the Steelers vs. the Bengals tonight on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt. "The panic button, were tapping on it," Steelers linebacker Larry Foote said. "We aint got two hands on it, but were kind of nibbling on it a little bit. We cant lose no more, thats the approach. Five, six losses you aint going to be in the playoffs." Losing record or not, theyre not far off. Pittsburgh had fourth-quarter leads in each of its three losses, including a seven-point lead against Tennessee with 4:20 remaining before 10 straight Titans points yielded a 34-31 defeat. The Steelers also lost on a last-second kick in Oakland on Sept. 23 and gave up 17 straight points in a season-opening loss in Denver on Sept. 9. "It comes down to playmaking, Tomlin said, "and we havent made enough significant plays." On the injury front, linebacker LaMarr Woodley could return from a strained left hamstring and center Maurkice Pouncey might play after a right leg injury sustained against Tennessee. Still questionable to participate, however, are safety Troy Polamalu (calf), linebacker Chris Carter (hamstring) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle). Also, rookie nose tackle Alameda Taamu was suspended for two games after a weekend arrest. The status of running backs Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) and Isaac Redman (ankle) is also in doubt. Mendenhall scored four touchdowns in two 2011 games against Cincinnati. The Bengals have lost four straight to Pittsburgh, and two games in a row in 2012 after winning three straight. They gave up 21 fourth-quarter points in a 34-24 defeat in Cleveland last Sunday. "Its not time to jump ship," offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "Were 3-3 just like everybody else in our conference. At the end of the day, its not about wins and losses, its about who makes the playoffs. Our goals are all still right there in front of us. Somebody thats 3-3 has to go win some games and get in the playoffs. Why not us?" Against the Browns, quarterback Andy Dalton threw for 381 yards and three touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. "Weve got to fix it. Obviously we are not playing consistently enough for the ability of the guys that we have," coach Marvin Lewis said. "Were almost too nice at times and weve got to have more of a killer instinct." Against the Steelers last November, Cincinnati rallied for a 17-17 tie in the third quarter but lost, 24-17. In the rematch a month later, Pittsburgh won, 35-7. Dalton completed 26 of 54 passes against Pittsburgh in those games. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger didnt surpass 250 yards against the Bengals in 2011, but had three touchdowns and an interception. He is 7-1 lifetime at Cincinnati. WHAT TO WATCH FOR Racking up yardage against the Cleveland Browns wasnt the problem for second- year quarterback Andy Dalton - the three interceptions, however, were. Its not likely to get any easier this week against evil defensive genius Dick LeBeau. "LeBeau is a master at messing with young quarterbacks minds," said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. "His defenses are very demanding, both from a physical and mental standpoint. A key ingredient in this particular matchup is the (non-)availability of Troy Polamalu, as he can act as the true wild card with his ability to align all over the formation and at any level of the defense. But Dalton is wise beyond his years in deciphering and reading defense and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has done an excellent job of keeping him under control." Dalton has yet to get through a 2012 game without an interception, but hes got a high-end security blanket in second-year receiver A.J. Green, whos scored in every game since the opener and lit the Browns up for 135 yards and two touchdowns last week. OVERALL ANALYSIS Maybe the Steelers arent what theyve been in recent years. Or, maybe theyre just a few plays from being 5-0. Either way, its much easier to see a close game breaking in their direction than against them. Even without Polamalu, LeBeau is still capable of concocting a game plan thatll keep Dalton on edge. And few QBs in the league are better down the stretch that Pittsburghs Roethlisberger. Until people look up and actually see the Steelers two games below .500, the assumption remains that theyre simply too good to fail. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Steelers 23, Bengals 20 Raheem Sterling Liverpool . No. 8 Syracuse avoided one against Minnesota on Monday with a gritty early-season finish. Frank Rijkaard Netherland Jersey . "It doesnt even enter my mind most of the time," Ranger told TSN.ca, he and Rielly paired together yet again on Tuesday night. "Its moreso as hes just my partner and he just can play." Remaining in question for the Leafs with the opener in Montreal drawing near is whether its best for the 19-year-old to play right away. Karim Benzema Real Madrid . -- The San Jose Sharks have signed Western Michigan defenceman Matt Tennyson to an entry-level contract. Joel Campbell Arsenal Jersey . The right-hander was traded from Milwaukee to New York for cash on Wednesday, two days after the Brewers designated him for assignment.The fallout of Saturday nights game between the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins continues one day later. Bruins forward Chris Kelly suffered a fractured right fibula from a slash by Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis. The Bruins have placed Kelly on long term injured reserve, he is expected to miss four to six weeks. Kelly is the third member of the Bruins who will not be in action when the Bruins visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.dddddddddddd Forward Shawn Thornton is facing a disciplinary hearing for his altercation with Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik. Thornton knocked Orpik to the ice with a slew-foot and then punched him while he was on the ice, leaving him unconscious. Loui Eriksson suffered a concussion on a hit by Orpik, which led to Thorntons reaction. The Bruins also placed Adam McQuaid on injured reserve. cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '