Steelers look to end Bengals’ playoff hopes
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) carries the ball Sept. 18 as Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (90) tries to make a tackle in Pittsburgh. The Steelers can maintain control of the division by beating the Bengals today.
Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict reacts after making a tackle Dec. 11 against the Browns in Cleveland.
CINCINNATI – The last time the Steelers visited Paul Brown Stadium, they ended the Bengals’ season in spectacular fashion in an 18-16 playoff win.
The Steelers have a chance to essentially end Cincinnati’s playoff hopes again today when they return to Paul Brown Stadium.
At 5-7-1, Cincinnati is clinging to a scenario to make the postseason that would include the Steelers (8-5) losing their remaining three games, the Bengals winning their final three and Baltimore (7-6) losing two of three, with that one win coming Christmas Day at Pittsburgh.
“We have to,” said Cincinnati cornerback Adam Jones.
For the Steelers, meanwhile, their road to the playoffs is simple. Keep winning and they don’t need to worry about what any other teams do.
“We’re in the fourth quarter of football,” said Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. “We know if we want to be the team we desire to be and give ourselves an opportunity to play in January and February, we’ve got to get hard over the course of the journey. We have just kept getting better and better. We’re in the position we wanted to be in, the position to win the division.”
After everything that occurred between the two teams last season, when their three meetings resulted in numerous fines, injuries to Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell, and a suspension for Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict, having an opportunity to eliminate the Bengals from playoff contention is an added bonus for the Steelers.
Their previous meeting back in Week 2, a 24-16 win by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, did not have any of the extracurricular activities that marred the three meetings last season. But Burfict didn’t play in that game while serving a three-game suspension for a culmination of illegal hits last season, including giving Brown a concussion with an illegal hit in the playoff game.
“We’re just going to play ball. Burfict is a good player,” said Steelers guard Ramon Foster. “We just have to play our game. The extras, I feel like there won’t be any in this game. We have to play ball. We have bigger stuff at hand this week.”
Burfict had 12 penalties for personal fouls from 2013 through 2015, but hasn’t had any in 2016.
Head coach Marvin Lewis, a McDonald native, said he sat down with the linebacker in the offseason after Burfict’s meltdown last season cost the Bengals a playoff victory.
“We had to talk to him about that and what’s allowable and what isn’t,” Lewis said. “He’s a good player and one that has to set the tone for our defense.”
Bell has been setting the tone for Pittsburgh’s offense during its four-game winning streak. Bell has four-straight 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his career, including a team-record 236 yards in last week’s win at Buffalo.
Bell has had his season end in each of the past two seasons because of injuries suffered against the Bengals but won’t be looking for any more revenge than winning the game.
“I’m treating the game like any other game,” Bell said. “I’m going to go out there and do what I do, make plays and make sure we come out of the game with a win. Take as many touches as I need for us to get the win.”
Lately, that’s been plenty. Bell had a career-high 38 carries last week in Buffalo and the Bengals don’t want to see him get anywhere near that many in this game.
“He’s by far the best back in the league,” said Jones. “He can catch the ball. He can run you over. He can make you miss. He brings a lot to the offense.”
The Steelers are 12-2 against the Bengals in Cincinnati when Ben Roethlisberger starts at quarterback. … Foster and nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who missed the win over the Bills with injuries, will return to the lineup for this game. … Cincinnati wide receiver, A.J. Green is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Nov. 20. … Lewis, the winningest coach in Bengals’ history with a 115-99 record, has led Cincinnati to the postseason in each of the past five seasons. … Brown needs seven receptions for his fourth-straight season with 100 catches. … Roethlisberger needs three touchdown passes to reach 300 in his career.