"The Steelers have just four takeaways through nine games, and strong safety Troy Polamalu is mystified as anyone as to why the defense hasn't been more opportunistic.

"The saying goes (turnovers) come in bunches, and we're just waiting for that time to come and hopefully it comes soon," Polamalu said.

The Steelers registered 20 takeaways through their first nine games in 2010. They had five in two games last season against the Bengals, whom they visit today for a 1 p.m. game.

"I know a lot of people get caught up in turnovers or run defense or pass offense or whatever it is," said Polamalu, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "Whatever can get us out of games winning is the most important thing, and turnovers has a lot to do with that, of course.""