The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their final quarter of the 2015 regular season Sunday on the road with a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently lead the AFC North with a 10-2 record. The Bengals can clinch the division Sunday with a tie or win over the Steelers and odds-makers installed them as 3.5 home favorites for the game. The line has since moved a half a point in the Steelers favor at most online sportsbooks.
Back in Week 8, the Steelers lost to the Bengals 16-10 at home. That game marked the return to the field of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had missed the previous four Steelers contests with a sprained left MCL. The Steelers quarterback threw for 262 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals but his 3 interceptions in the game were too tough to overcome as they led directly to 10 points for the opposition.
The Steelers not only lost to the Bengals on that Sunday, they also lost starting running back Le’Veon Bell for the remainder of the season to a knee injury during that game.
Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is viewing Sunday’s game against the Steelers as big one for both teams, even though his organization is almost assured of being in the playoffs barring a total collapse. He also acknowledges that the two teams aren’t overly found of one another.
“I don’t think there is necessarily good blood,” Jackson said. “We have what they want. I get it. Let’s be honest about this thing. We are leading the AFC North. They want to lay claim to an opportunity to have what we have. We can’t run from that.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will meet with the media on Tuesday to preview Sunday’s game against the Bengals.
