SpringfieldNewsSun.com

PITTSBURGH — You won't find closer friends on opposing NFL teams than Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson and Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior.

Both are from Ettrick, Va., with Johnson attending Auburn University and Farrior playing his college ball at the University of Virginia.

Johnson visits with Farrior on Bengals' bye weeks and works with youth at Farrior's football camp in Virginia each summer.

Even their moms are friends. Both women attended Sunday night's game together at Heinz Field.

Lineup changes

The Steelers' big three of left tackle Marvel Smith (back), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (ankle) and strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) were deactivated for the second straight game with injuries. Max Starks, Nate Washington and Tyrone Carter started in their place.

Starks is the son of the former Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Ross Browner.

For the Bengals, Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph started at right and left cornerback, respectively, while right offensive tackle Stacy Andrews started in place of injured Willie Anderson (left knee, right foot) for the sixth straight game.

Full of praise

Bengals left offensive tackle Levi Jones praised Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, who entered the game with a team-high 8½ sacks, including 5½ in the past four games.

Harrison has blossomed in Pittsburgh in the wake of Joey Porter's exodus to Miami.

"Physically, (Harrison) is a little smaller than Porter," Jones said. "But he's a high-motor guy. He brings it every play. Harrison is a natural playmaker. He's making big plays and creating big plays."

Replay robbery

Joseph scooped up a Willie Parker fumble — forced by linebacker Landon Johnson — and raced 24 yards for a TD at 14:41 of the third quarter.

But the play was overturned by instant replay. Referee Bill Carollo ruled that Parker was down by contact.

Madden-ing

Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, analyst for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" telecasts, checked in on the Steelers before the game.

"They are at a crossroads now," he said. "Their goal is to be a playoff team and win playoff games, and maybe even a Super Bowl. They have to start playing well now."

Fast finishers

The Steelers are 45-20-1 (.689) in the final two months of the regular season over the past seven years. New England owns the best record in that span with a 48-16 mark (.750).

Anniversary seasons

This is the Steelers' 75th anniversary season and the 40th for the Bengals. The "33" insignia on the stadium wall behind the end zones at Heinz Field stand for 1933, the year the Steelers were born. Pittsburgh is the fifth oldest franchise in the NFL.

Quick hitter

The Bengals have been outscored 50-13 the final two minutes of the first half this season. Their only TD in that span was Glenn Holt's 100-yard kickoff return at the 1:44 mark of the second quarter at Buffalo on Nov. 4.