Dec 19, 2010; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fan shows his frustration with the Bengals during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Browns 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

Optimism is quickly fleeing Cincinnati after the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night in Paul Brown Stadium. Not only were they defeated by a team that was very beatable, but it was the Bengal’s third consecutive loss. The team now finds themselves 3-4, with only one division win heading into a week 8 bye. Cincinnati’s high hopes for their team, coming off of a playoff berth last season, are fading and the Bengals can only blame themselves.

The team needs a change and that is exactly what Marvin Lewis aims to do during the team’s week off. A personnel switch-up is definitely in order. However, with the needs of the team seeming so great, where should the coaching staff begin?

The truth is, there is a lot of promise on this team. Promise doesn’t win championships, though. It isn’t even winning games for the Bengals. Let’s start with the offense: The team has a lot of great, young receivers. There are small flashes of hope in the running game and Jermaine Gresham has the ability to be named with the Gronk’s and Bennett’s in the NFL. The offensive line has come together and played well, despite little experience or bonding with one another. Even the young quarterback, Andy Dalton, has upside. With all of this hope and promise on the offense, and watching the team put up big numbers in three of their first four games, one would think that the Bengals would be in a much better situation after week seven of play.

Nov 20, 2011; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fans before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M

When the Steelers take the field on Sunday night in Paul Brown Stadium, they will be greeted with a different look from the home crowd than years past. This year the Bengals, recognizing that they and the Steelers share the common black team color, have decided to erase the black and have asked the Cincinnati faithful to adorn themselves in orange to “Orange-Out” the away team.

This game has the ability to quickly turn into a home crowd atmosphere for Pittsburgh. Their fans travel well and they are the “Cowboys” of our time. If the Bengals begin to falter in the game, the tides will definitely turn in the stadium. Therefore the team, also wearing their orange jerseys for the first time, needs to figure out how to “Orange-Out” the Steelers on the field too.

The Bengals have many weapons in Dalton and their receiving group. They will need to utilize them Sunday night. It is no secret that the Steelers defense has been decimated by age and injuries. Their number one Safety Troy Polamalu will sit out on Sunday. So if Andy can settle down in the pocket and make smarter decisions with the ball, he should be able to pick apart the Steelers defense with Green, Hawkins, and Gresham. The key will be ball security and Dalton’s ability to see the whole field of play.

Normally, teams will run the ball in order to open up the passing game. This is not a luxury for Cincinnati, who has seen their big ticket offseason pick-up BenJarvus Green-Ellis, struggle all season on the ground. The Steelers are tough up front and will be coming after Dalton and the running backs. However, running will still be essential to getting the Bengals a win. The Bengals will need to pass in order to open up the run defense. If they can do this, BJGE may have his first big game against the Steelers.

We are still talking about the Bengals defense. They need to continue to improve this week against an always tough Roethlisberger and Steelers offensive attack. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is banged-up again this season and that leaves a lot of opportunity for a potentially ferocious Bengals defensive stand. The Steelers are coming to the table with uncertainty in the running game. Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman have yet to practice this week and unless they are able to go during Friday’s team drills, it looks like third year back Jonathan Dwyer will get the start. Though, he does not have as much NFL experience as the other backs on the team, he still could be a threat on the ground. The Bengals defensive front should be able to contain him if everyone does their job.

Nov 13, 2011; Cincinnati, OH USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, (left) talks with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (right) after their game at Paul Brown Stadium.The Steelers won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-US PRESSWIRE

One could argue that the cities of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are very similar in architecture and feel. Both cities are on the banks of the Ohio River and both are known for their historic neighborhoods. The two cities were built on industry and thrived on their waterways. People that have lived in both cities even say that the two are twins. The vibes are similar, the populations are close in size, and both boast professional sports teams from every genre.

Though the cities themselves look and feel the same, there are two major differences that pit Pittsburgh and Cincinnati against one another. Those differences lie in colors and in heroes that take the field for their teams on Sundays. It may seem petty to an outsider looking in, but to those affected by the rivalry it is life and pride.

Two days every fall, the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati faithful ready themselves for battle against one another. In the City of Three Rivers on the eastern banks of the Ohio River, the citizens ready themselves for war. They dress themselves from head to toe in black and gold, arming themselves with a yellow towel, and head to the stadium to meet their foes. Those on the southwestern banks of the Ohio, in the Queen City, get ready for the same battle by adorning themselves in orange and black stripes, taking their deafening war cry with them as they enter the battleground. The more the Pittsburgh fans wave their towels, the louder the “Who Dey” chants become.

This battle is not for the faint of heart or for those not willing to back their team at all costs. It is a heated rivalry for the ages and only gets better year after year as the Cincinnati Bengals team continues to improve and be competitive. This year is no different and Sunday is their first meeting of the 2012 season.