Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Cincinnati Bengals In AFC North Showdown

Thanks to the TV flex schedule, Heinz Field will host the final game of the 2014 NFL regular season. The Pittsburgh Steelers have fought hard to move past the defending AFC North Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, including a 42-21 victory in Cincinnati three weeks ago.

Can the Steelers beat the Bengals twice in 2014? They will be the 3rd seed if they win this match-ups and don’t give the Bengals any turnover gifts.

CARLOS DUNLAP VS STEELERS TACKLE MARCUS GILBERT

The Steelers beat the Bengals three weeks ago thanks to a dominating performance by the Steelers offensive line. The Bengals defense stepped it up last Monday against the mighty Peyton Manning causing four interceptions and two sacks.

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The Bengals and their top pass rusher, Carlos Dunlap, couldn’t get to Ben Roethlisberger in their previous meeting. He threw for 350-yards and three touchdowns.

Right tackle Marcus Gilbert did not play in that game but he will be the one to control Dunlap this time around. He had a field day in Denver recording a sack and four QB hits. The Gilbert-Dunlap competition is a must-win for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.

LE’VEON BELL VS LINEBACKER VINCENT REY

The Steelers wore down the Bengals in Week 14 scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter. In that game, Bell ran for 185-yards and caught 5 passes for 60 yards. He had two fourth quarter touchdowns finally winning out in the battle with the Bengals weakside linebacker, Vincent Rey.

Rey had 15 tackles in the game—mostly of Bell in both rush and pass coverage. The Steelers would love to rely on Bell and limit the amount of opportunities Dalton has to find AJ Green. Bell is the Steelers’ second best defensive plan to hold down Green. Second to…

JAMES HARRISON VS ANDY DALTON

James Harrison was out with a knee injury when they last faced the Bengals. His replacement Arthur Moats filled in quite well with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Harrison looked like a man on a mission last week in the win over KC. He had a sack and a half, two QB hits, and a 2 tackles for a loss.

While he harbors no ill-will for his lackluster career in a Bengals uniform, the veteran knows how important momentum is to a playoff run. Visions of a fourth straight win and a sweep of the former divisional champions will have Harrison and his teammates primed for Sunday night at Heinz Field.

ADAM JONES VS STEELERS SPECIAL TEAMS

Watching the Bengal win over the Broncos highlighted the importance of special teams. Adam Jones’ 44-yard kick return average had a big impact in the win over Denver. The Steelers have really pulled together a strong youthful special team coverage unit and they will need to close the season strong to win the AFC North crown.

PREDICTION

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Heinz Field will be the site of the final 2014 NFL show. Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt must again stuff running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard to force the Bengals to beat the Steelers with Andy Dalton.

And Dalton will have to beat James Harrison. If Dalton doesn’t get help from punt/kick returner Adam Jones, the Steelers should again bring the ‘Boo Dey’ back to Cincinnati.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WIN, 30-20