DaytonDailyNews.com

PITTSBURGH — Don't be surprised if tonight's Nov. 20 game becomes a "top-this" showdown between Pittsburgh's Hines Ward and Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmandzadeh in a battle of star wide receivers.

Ward has 53 receptions for 681 yards (12.8) and five touchdowns, and is coming off an 11-catch, 124-yard effort in the Steelers' 11-10 victory over San Diego. What's more, in his last three games against the Bengals, Ward has 15 catches for 238 yards and five TDs.

Houshmandzadeh, meanwhile, leads the NFL in receptions with 73, good for 726 yards (9.9) and four TDs. And he's fresh off a 12-catch, 149-yard, one-TD performance in a 13-13 tie with Philadelphia.

"He's a great player," Cincinnati quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said about Houshmandzadeh. "The biggest thing with him is reliability, that whenever you go to him — whether there are two or three guys on him, whatever it takes — he's going to get open and catch the ball.

"It's nice being able to fall back and rely on him, especially when things aren't going right or we've got crucial third downs or even first and second down. He's a guy that it's no secret we like to go to. He's just a real special player."

Roster move

As expected, wide receiver Antonio Chatman (neck) was finally placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. The roster spot was filled by practice-squad offensive tackle Dennis Roland for depth purposes.

Chatman's absence means Houshmandzadeh will be the club's No. 1 punt returner.

Looking forward

Outside linebacker Brandon Johnson registered his first career interception in the tie against Philadelphia, picking off Donovan McNabb and returning it 35 yards.

"It felt great until I got tackled by the quarterback," Johnson said. "He's a big guy. I expected him to try and cut me, but he didn't.

"Now we go to Pittsburgh. That's going to be a lot of fun. I've never played there before, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm anxious to just get out there and play some ball."

Quick hitters

• Fitzpatrick has completed 60 percent of his passes in all six starts this season, and has 103 yards rushing in the past three games.

• The Bengals are 1-0-1 in November. They've won five of their past seven November games against AFC competition.

• The Steelers have won four straight games against Cincinnati to push their series lead to 46-30. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is 3-9 against the Steelers, while Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is 3-0 against the Bengals.