The Cincinnati Bengals are on a four-game winning streak and need a Week 18 victory along with some help to make the playoffs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, on the other hand, are looking to end their recent slump and improve their playoff chances.
Both teams have plenty at stake when the Bengals visit the Steelers on Saturday night.
Cincinnati (8-8) needs to defeat Pittsburgh and hope that the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins lose their respective games to make the playoffs.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” said Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, who previously played for the Steelers. “One team is in the playoffs. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so it’s going to be fireworks.”
Pittsburgh (10-6) has already clinched a playoff spot but missed two opportunities to win the AFC North. They now trail the Baltimore Ravens by one game in the division. Recently, the Steelers lost three straight games in just 11 days, getting outscored 90-40.
Pittsburgh can win the division if they beat Cincinnati and the Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns. So, a win is crucial for the Steelers to get back on track.
“We got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “There’s no better way to do that than a home divisional win against a strong team going into the tournament, and so that’s our mentality as we stand here.”
In the first meeting between these two teams on December 1, the Steelers won 44-38 in Cincinnati. Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns, while Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
Burrow has thrown for at least three touchdowns in eight straight games, including games with five and four touchdowns at the start of the streak. He leads the NFL with 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, with eight interceptions.
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is close to completing the rare Triple Crown for a receiver. He currently leads the NFL with 117 catches, 1,612 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
“He works for it. He grinds for it,” Burrow said about Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime-type player, and our careers will forever be tied together from college into the pro world. That’s just fun to be a part of.”
Burrow and Chase have been key to the Bengals’ strong run, and head coach Zac Taylor hopes to see more of the same against the Steelers.
“We know it’s a big game,” Taylor said. “We know what is at stake, but we want our guys to continue to approach every day like they have been.”
The Steelers had been on a hot streak with seven wins in eight games before their recent slide. They now understand the importance of getting back on track.
“Everybody has got to realize what’s at stake,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. “Understand it’s one and done. There’s no room for error. No mistakes. You’ve got to go out there, have a complete game, and the best way to practice that is this week.”
“We’re anxious to get back out there and just play like how we’re supposed to be playing,” Queen added. “That’s the biggest thing, just going out there and showcasing it to the whole world on Saturday night.”
The Steelers are healthy heading into this game, with no players missing practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee) was limited, but he could return after missing most of the season due to a knee injury suffered against the Tennessee Titans 14 months ago. Holcomb, 28, had even considered retirement earlier in his rehab.
The Bengals, however, are dealing with some injury concerns. Running back Chase Brown (ankle) missed a second straight day of practice, and he’s Cincinnati’s leading rusher with 990 yards. Defensive end Sam Hubbard (knee) and tight end Drew Sample (groin) also missed practice on Wednesday.
