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The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to break a 25-year playoff drought, but it will likely be with a backup quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers stand in their way in what has become a fierce rivalry this season.
The two matchups between AFC North foes this season looked more like the epic Ravens-Steelers slugfests of years past -- pregame skirmishes, ferocious hits, and lots of trash talking. The bad blood will undoubtedly carry over into Saturday's showdown in Cincinnati -- Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert asked for a rematch with the Bengals for Christmas, while linebacker Vontaze Burfict said this week that he "hates Pittsburgh."
Burfict has been at the center of the conflict after his tackle in Week 8 ended the season of star running back Le'Veon Bell. He also drew a fine for three separate incidents in the Week 14 sequel, one of which was a low hit at Ben Roethlisberger's knees that had the quarterback steaming.
Can the Bengals end their string of four straight first-round exits or will the Steelers move on? Here are three keys to the game for both the Steelers and Bengals:
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STEELERS
1. Quick hitters underneath
With the Bengals will likely protecting against the deep ball, Ben Roethlisberger should look to explot mismatches underneath against their linebackers. Antonio Brown is a supreme route runner and should be able to find space over the middle and whoever the running back is should get some free releases underneath with the linebackers also backed up some to prevent big plays. Reserve Jordan Todman could be a sleeper out of the backfield.
2. Get Bryant involved
Martavis Bryant needs to bring his 'A' game after being a nonfactor the past two weeks. Roethlisberger ran into some issues last week by locking onto Brown too often, resulting in two interceptions. Bryant was challenged this week by Roethlisbeger to "toughen up" because he knows how badly the second-year receiver is needed this week. Bryant's ability to stretch the field will open things up for the rest of the passing game, but he needs to make the catches that have eluded him the past month.
3. Attack Andre Smith
The Bengals right tackle has allowed 19 pressures in the seven games since returning to the lineup in Week 11, per Pro Football Focus. With the rock-solid Andrew Whitworth on the opposite side, the Steelers would be wise to get after Smith with a combination of Cameron Heyward and Bud Dupree with a few stunts mixed in to add a layer of confusion.
BENGALS
1. Quoth the Ravens
The Ravens did a tremendous job holding Antonio Brown and the Steelers' passing game in check in Week 16 by playing a lot of bump and run on the outside with two deep safeties. Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones need to duplicate the effort by being physical with Brown and Bryant. Doing so will disrupt Roethlisberger's timing with his receivers and hopefully lead to some turnovers as it did in Baltimore.
2. Hidden blitzes
Blitz pickups could be an issue for a Steelers offense that may be without running back DeAngelo Williams due to a foot injury. If he is unable to go, the Bengals should overwhelm his inexperienced backups with blitzes from all angles. Even if Williams does play, he may not be as effective in pass protection with his injured foot.
3. Control the clock
McCarron and the Bengals need to keep the chains moving and to keep the powerful Steelers offense on the sideline as much as possible. The best way to do that is to pound out some yards with Jeremy Hill to get into manageable down-and-distance situations on third down. Over the last three weeks, opposing teams have had the most success running behind their right guard against Pittsburgh, so Kevin Zeitler should expect a busy day.
