CINCINNATI — Former Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga knows firsthand about that storied rivalry with Notre Dame. USC-UCLA? Been there, felt that. Games against Ohio State? Some of the most fun.

What about the history behind his next rivalry game, the one that involves his Bengals and the Steelers? The rookie isn't clued in about that one yet.

"I've still got to do my research," he said.

Here's a crash course in what happens when Pittsburgh visits Cincinnati: thousands of Steelers fans fill the seats at Paul Brown Stadium; a Bengals player might be carted off the field; the visiting team finds a way to win.

That's it.

The Steelers (1-1) have won their last eight games in Cincinnati, which often feels something like their home field because of the inordinate number of towel-twirling fans. The last time they went home with a loss was 2001, when receiver Chad Ochocinco was a rookie still going by the name of Johnson.

"I can't even remember," Ochocinco said.

Can't blame him. So many bad things have happened to the home team when the Steelers are in town that the Bengals (1-1) would just as soon forget it. On Sunday, they have another chance to change it.

Again, the odds are against them.

The Steelers have the perfect comeback for anything the Bengals can throw at them. Ben Roethlisberger grew up in Ohio and has tormented its two pro teams, going 11-0 when he visits the state. He's 5-0 in Cleveland and 6-0 in Cincinnati, including a playoff win during the Steelers' Super Bowl run of 2005.

"I don't know (why), but I like it," Roethlisberger said.

Nor will the Steelers show up thinking this one's in the bag. They're coming off a stinging 17-14 loss at Chicago that reminded them of how it is when they're the defending Super Bowl champs. The crowd went wild when Jeff Reed missed field goals from 38 and 43 yards in the second half, allowing Chicago to win it on Robbie Gould's 44-yarder with 15 seconds to go.

In 2006, when they were coming off their previous Super Bowl win, the Steelers opened the season 1-3, including a home loss to the Bengals. They never fully recovered, finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs. They know what a slow start can do to a defending champ.

"The last time we went and won the Super Bowl, I think a lot of guys really dwelled in the moment too long and didn't get back to preparing themselves to get ready for the next year," linebacker James Harrison said. "I feel like this year, we got back to things in a timely fashion with all the guys getting back to their regimented workouts. I feel like that's one of the biggest differences from that team to this one."

This one has a different problem: It can't run the ball very well. The Steelers have been forced to rely too heavily on Roethlisberger's improvisational skills in the first two games. They ran for only 36 yards in an opening win over Tennessee, 105 yards in that loss to the Bears.

"We're trying to get some traction in that area," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Willie Parker missed some preseason time with nagging injuries. We're still trying to get our rhythm. In the midst of that, we still better be good enough to win."

They'll be facing a defense that provides the Bengals with at least one good reason to think that long streak could end. Cincinnati's up-and-coming unit has been solid in both opening games. Plus, it'll have a little extra incentive on Sunday, the first time Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers goes against Hines Ward since the Steelers receiver leveled him with a straight-up block in last year's game, breaking his jaw.

Think Rivers will be looking for Ward?

"No more than I'm looking for him," Ward said. "It's football. If he's worried about me, he's not worried about the 10 other guys or his responsibilities. He's going to do his responsibility, and if I've got the ball I'm pretty sure he's going to try to take a shot on me."