Bengals vs Steelers Expert's Take: Expect Pittsburgh to stay the course against Cincinnati's weapons

Saturday night has a chance to be one of the more meaningful matchups between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in recent memory.A win for the Bengals keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. If the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets each win on Sunday, the Bengals return to the playoffs on a five-game win streak. […]

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) is knocked out of bounds short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.
© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Saturday night has a chance to be one of the more meaningful matchups between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in recent memory.

A win for the Bengals keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. If the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets each win on Sunday, the Bengals return to the playoffs on a five-game win streak. If the Cleveland Browns win before the Bengals kickoff, the Steelers will be playing for the AFC North crown and a home playoff game. 

For one last time this season, I turned to A to Z Sports' Steelers beat writer Rob Gregson for the latest on the Steel Curtain.

JS: Judging by the last four games, it seems like Russell Wilson would really like to play against the Bengals again. George Pickens was out for a few games, but was there anything else cause this passing attack to take a downward spiral since they came to Cincinnati?

RG: This a great question because Wilson was dialed in against Cincy but has fallen off since. His turnovers are up and his decision making is down. He was pressing without George Pickens and seemingly forgot he was back against the Chiefs. We’ll see if that changes in the season finale.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) in the end zone before being flagged for pass interference in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. The Steelers won 44-38.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) in the end zone before being flagged for pass interference in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. The Steelers won 44-38. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JS: Joey Porter Jr. was penalized more times than he was targeted in coverage back in Week 13 and saw plenty of Tee Higgins, who’s coming off a monstrous outing. Do you expect any change in the plan to contain Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase?

RG: Between the penalties, targets and recent injury to Porter Jr., you would think a different approach is in store. However, I expect the Steelers to double Chase and tell JPJ to go stick Higgins. We’ll find out early how healthy he is. 

JS: This very well could be Mike Hilton’s last game as a Bengal and of course it’s against his first team. Hilton is still very good in his niche role as a menace blitzing from the slot. Do you see the Steelers having interest in bringing Hilton back this offseason? 

RG: With Cam Sutton on a one year deal and Beanie Bishop still developing, it’s not a bad idea to kick the tires on Hilton, who rose to stardom as one of the leagues best slot CBs in Pittsburgh. The Steelers keep their relationships with former players in tact so this isn’t that far fetched in terms of a reunion. 

Check out Rob's analysis on our Steelers YouTube channel!

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