Steelers receive an excellent early Christmas present
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently reeling as they head into a make-or-break Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but they received some news on Thursday that has them breathing a little easier.The Bengals officially ruled out star wide receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, with a shoulder injury. Chase hurt the shoulder during Week 15's comeback win […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently reeling as they head into a make-or-break Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but they received some news on Thursday that has them breathing a little easier.
The Bengals officially ruled out star wide receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, with a shoulder injury. Chase hurt the shoulder during Week 15's comeback win against the Minnesota Vikings and he didn't practice at all before the final designation.
Considering the issues with the Steelers secondary and the fact Chase recorded four receptions for 81-yards in the first contest – it's easy to see why this is a big boost for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers' current playoff picture heading into Week 16
Thursday night's game is an NFC clash, but it can still help the Steelers, depending on what happens. Pittsburgh beat the Los Angeles Rams earlier in the year, so a Rams win could help with a common opponents or strength of victory tiebreaker down the road.
Regardless, the Steelers are currently 10th in the AFC with a six-percent chance of making the playoffs, per NFL.com. If they beat the Bengals, those chances rise to 12%. If they lose, they're all but eliminated, as they'd then have less than a one-percent chance making it into the postseason.
A Joe Burrow-less and Ja'Marr Chase-less offense will certainly help raise the odds of a Steelers win, but it's obviously not the Bengals offense that creates the most concern going in – it's the pitiful Steelers offense that is now down to starting Mason Rudolph in hopes of generating some semblance of a spark.
Pittsburgh was able to win the first meeting, 16-10, back in Week 12 and that's the exact kind of game its going to need if it wants to win this matchup. And based off how Jake Browning has been playing, that scenario may be much easier thought of than making happen. But obviously, no Chase makes things better.
