The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to double their pleasure when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. A win would not only spoil the postseason hopes of their hated rival, but also clinch their own spot in the playoffs and an AFC North title.
NFL picks and predictions, Steelers vs. Bengals 2015: No consensus pick in AFC North showdown
The Bengals have a chance to clinch the division crown if they can beat the Steelers for the second time this season.
Revenge is also on the minds of the Bengals and their fans. Last year, Cincy had the opportunity to grab the division crown in a winner-take-all season finale against the Steelers. But the Bengals lost, 27-17, and ended up in the dreaded wild card game, where they suffered a one-and-done exit from the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
This season, the Bengals are in a much more favorable situation. They have the inside track for the top slot in the AFC, and are in good position to at least earn a first-round bye. Football Outsiders gives them 65.4 percent odds to be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, slightly ahead of the Patriots (64.4 percent) but behind the Broncos (70.0).
As good as the Bengals have been in 2015, they still have some boxes to check off in order to make this a truly memorable season. The most obvious milestone would be to simply win a playoff game, something they haven’t done in nearly 25 years. A more immediate goal is to sweep the season series with the Steelers for the first time in six years. Cincy has dropped eight of the last 11 regular season meetings and 13 of 16 at home in the rivalry.
In order to celebrate a division crown on Sunday, the Bengals have to figure out a way to slow down the explosive Steelers offense. Pittsburgh has gained at least 450 yards in an NFL-record-tying four straight games and is averaging 36 points per game over the past month. The Bengals, however, counter with the league’s best scoring defense, and have allowed fewer than 25 points in 11 of their 12 games this season.
Now that Ben Roethlisberger healthy and surrounded by a stable of dynamic playmakers, this is the most dangerous offense in the league and a team that nobody wants to play in January -- if the Steelers can get there. Pittsburgh is 7-5 but still on the outside of the AFC playoff picture because of tiebreakers. The Steelers can't afford to take their foot off the pedal in the final four weeks if they're going to claim a spot in the postseason party.
There is little consensus among the experts on how this game will end. ESPN’s crew is slight favoring the Steelers, 7-6, while CBS Sports’ eight-man panel is split down the middle. However, our guys here at SB Nation have more confidence in the Bengals.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark | |
| PIT vs CIN | PIT | CIN | PIT | CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN |
See More:
