(Cincinnati) The Pittsburgh Steelers had won five straight games and were leading the American Association North Division before slipping in a snowy game against the poor Browns on November 21 in Cleveland.
They will have the opportunity to get back to winning ways on Sunday against the Bengals, whose hopes of participating in the playoffs are dwindling.
“It’s a huge game – like all games until the end – especially since it’s a sectional game against the Bengals, our rivals,” Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith said. who is hoping to return to play after missing two games with an ankle injury.
“It’s our first game against them this year, but just to bounce back from a loss will be huge for us. »
The Steelers (8-3) are still in first place in the section with a half-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens, whom they will face again just before Christmas. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 18-16 on November 17.
For the Bengals, a loss to the Steelers would all but end their hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Ohio club has blown leads and struggled to put the finishing touches on in its four last meetings, losing three of them.
“It’s December football,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. Now it means something. Regardless of our current record, we have to play our best football in December. Now more than ever, we will need all our players. And they understand. »
Despite the Bengals’ 4-7 record, some of their players have the best stats in the NFL.
Before 13e week of activities, quarterback Joe Burrow was among the circuit leaders in completed passes (274), passing yards (3,028) and touchdown passes (27). The pivot, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s inability to put the final nail in their opponents’ coffin.
Receiver Ja’Marr Chase led the league with 1,056 yards, 481 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Trey Hendrickson was first with 11.5 sacks.
