Final predictions for the AFC North regular season finale between the Bengals and Steelers
The AFC North will be decided once and for all on Saturday. If the Cleveland Browns manage to upset the Baltimore Ravens, then the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a chance to win the division and knock the Cincinnati Bengals out of playoff contention with a win of their own. If Baltimore wins, then Pittsburgh will […]
The AFC North will be decided once and for all on Saturday. If the Cleveland Browns manage to upset the Baltimore Ravens, then the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a chance to win the division and knock the Cincinnati Bengals out of playoff contention with a win of their own. If Baltimore wins, then Pittsburgh will play for seeding and to end Cincinnati's season all the same.
No wonder the NFL scheduled this game for primetime.
For a matchup this significant, we assembled A to Z Sports' AFC North writing staff once more to predict the regular season finale for Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Steelers 30, Bengals 25
The Steelers are in a bad place on both sides of the ball right now. Russell Wilson has been in the holiday spirit, just gifting defenses with takeaways while the Steelers defense has gone ice cold in that department. That being said, Pittsburgh played three games in 11 days, yet will have 10 days to prepare for the Bengals alone. They know despite having a playoff berth clinched that Saturday is a must win. You can’t go into the playoffs on a four game losing streak and expect to win a game, much less a title. Pittsburgh ends the Bengals season and heads into the dance with a little momentum. – A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson
Steelers 27, Bengals 24
The Steelers aren’t playing their best football recently, and the Bengals are winners of four in a row. That makes this game pretty cut and dry for a prediction, right? Not quite. Keep in mind that these two play in the AFC North where reality isn’t quite as simple as the numbers may indicate. I’m gonna go with Mike Tomlin over Zac Taylor in a game that may not mean quite as much, depending on how other NFL unfolds by the end of the weekend. – A to Z Sports' Adam Holt
Bengals 30, Steelers 24
Cincinnati has at least given themselves a chance down the stretch run of the season to make the playoffs. While they need some help, I think the Bengals finish off the regular season by controlling what they can control. Cincinnati will hand the Steelers their fourth straight loss. It looks like the Steelers peaked earlier in the season and could be a wildcard exit in the playoffs. There is no telling if the other things the Bengals need to happen will work out. I’ll take Joe Burrow over Russell Wilson in this one to split the season series. – A to Z Sports' Brandon Little
Steelers 34, Bengals 31
The last time we saw the Steelers look competent on offense was against the Bengals and George Pickens was playing. Both boxes will be checked Saturday evening. For all the momentum Cincinnati has built over the last month, Lou Anarumo's defense is still suspect at best and lacks the required personnel to contain a solid passing attack. Russell Wilson carved them up last time around with Pickens' help, and the third-year wideout's presence will open up things underneath like last time. The Bengals will put up a fight offensively, but I think their playoff hopes end this weekend one way or another. – A to Z Sports' John Sheeran
Bengals Injury Report: Cincinnati set to make two major game-time decisions on Saturday
The Bengals’ offense is in danger of missing multiple starters for Week 18.
