The loss of defensive end Carlos Dunlap, hampered all week by a hamstring injury, could loom large for the Bengals in their critical AFC North matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

The surprising Bengals, 6-2 on the year and winners of five straight, have the 10th-ranked pass defense in the league, and even more impressively, the second-ranked rush defense. Cincinnati has allowed just eight passing touchdowns all year, and only gives up 84.5 yards per game on the ground. The loss of Dunlap might make Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger feel a bit more comfortable in the pocket, something the Bengals do not want to occur.

Here are the Bengals' inactives for Week 10:

• TE Donald Lee
• DE Carlos Dunlap
• OL Clint Boling
• LB Dontay Moch
• CB Adam Jones
• S Robert Sands
• WR Ryan Wahlen

For more on the Pittsburgh Steelers, visit SB Nation's Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain. For more on the Cincinnati Bengals, visit SB Nation's Bengals blog Cincy Jungle.