The Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the Cincinnati Bengals in a crucial AFC North showdown on Sunday from Acrisure Stadium. In the first matchup between the two on the season, the Steelers were able to come out on top in overtime, in one of the league's most exciting games of the season. Since then, things have gone in opposite directions for both sides though. The Bengals sit with a 5-4 record, as they hope to make a run back into the playoffs, while the Steelers have struggled to find much success since that opening week. When these two meet, it's also an entertaining affair, which is sure to be the case in this one.
Cincinnati has felt some sense of a Super Bowl hangover this season and after running through the AFC in last year's playoffs, they now find themselves sitting at 5-4 on the 2022 season. Just making the playoffs seems like it could take some work, though winning the division remains the end goal. The schedule for the Bengals doesn't get much easier going forward though, with a road game at Tennessee awaiting next, followed by welcoming the Chiefs to town. After losing to the Steelers in week one, there's no doubt that revenge will be on their mind in this one, especially as they hit the road.
Injuries have hit the Bengals hard again this season, especially on the defensive side of things. The defensive line has three players questionable for this weekend, while Brandon Wilson (knee) has already been ruled out in the secondary. Despite the issues on defense, the biggest absence remains Ja'Marr Chase (hi p), who expects to remain out into next month.
Things are heating up (besides the weather) pic.twitter.com/MjJqVkhxhv
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 17, 2022
Cincinnati's offense has started to turn things around of late and while the passing game remains one of the league's best, all eyes have turned to the ground game. Joe Mixon is coming off one of the best individual performances of the last few seasons, with his five-touchdown effort the last time out. The Bengals though, only rank 27th in the league in rushing yards per game, which is a trend that'll need to change in this one. Having Joe Burrow to lead the way doesn't hurt either.
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