AJ McCarron is 2-1 in his first three starts as the Bengals quarterback.
Why This Game Should be more Interesting to Viewers...
The past few years the Bengals have come up short in the playoffs. It's been a point of emphasis around the media that the Bengals haven't won a playoff game in 25 years, 1990 being the last time they've won a postseason game. And with the lack of postseason success by Dalton aka "the Red Rifle" frustration has grown throughout their fan base. Dalton has had regular season success, no doubt; making the playoffs four consecutive years is a major accomplishment. Especially if you know the history of the Bengals organization in the past 20 years. But, with any type of success, people only seem to be content for so long. After four years of mediocre numbers and poor playoff play by Dalton, there were some Bengals fans that had been calling for Dalton to be replaced by McCarron in hopes that he could lead this team to the next level - a playoff victory. The thing that gives this story any life, is Dalton was having/had the best season of his career, until this point. Now, the Bengals have to trust that their second-year quarterback can go and get them over this 25-year playoff drought.Things aren't so sunny for the Steelers either. They had a very slow start to their season. Being with no Le'veon Bell for their first two game and no Martavis Bryant the first four. However, they got back on track and started making a push for the post season as the weeks progressed. When they played the Bengals the first time this season the entire Steelers sideline had been shook up after watching all-pro running back Le'veon Bell's season ended, once again, by a Cincinnati team that put an end to Bell's season last year, right before the Steelers entered the playoffs - when it appeared that Safety, Reggie Nelson lunged at Bell's knee while making a tackle. However, this time it was linebacker, Vontez Burfict that tackled Bell as he running along the sideline... Now, no Bell again for the playoffs. Veteran, second-string running back DeAngelo Williams had officially taken over as the starter and had been performing well. He was almost as good as his early days in Carolina. Until he would be carted off last weekend in the season finale against the Cleveland Browns. But the Steelers don't necessarily have a need to be concerned. They do have one of the best quarterback-receiving duo's in the league in "Big" Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. Now they Steelers might have to rely on passing the ball at least 35-40 times to pull out a win in Cincinnati where the cold and windy weather could potentially be a factor.
This Game Might Have a Massive Aerial Attack
The Bengals are ranked first in scoring defense, yes. However they finished 20th in the league in passing yards allowed (249/g); the Steelers have it even worse, as they finished 30th (272/g).- In his last four games, Antonio Brown has 43 receptions, 524 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- The Steelers are 4-1 in their last five games. This was also his third consecutive season with at least 110 receptions.
- Roethlisberger has had at least 30 attempts his last nine games played
- AJ McCarron is averaging 27 pass attempts in his first three starts. and he has at least one passing touchdowns in each game.
- Tight end and touchdown-machine Tyler Eifert is scheduled to return for the game after being out due to injury.
- AJ Green has a receiving touchdown in three-of-the-last-four games. He also has double-digit receiving touchdowns for the third time in his career.
- Hue Jackson has had that offense playing well, all season. I don't see the Bengals changing up their game plan and going very conservative.
One Major Key for Both Teams
Bengals: They have to control the clock and have an effective running game - at least 120 yards on the ground.Steelers: They have to get Antonio Brown involved early and make the Bengals play from behind.
Stats c/o ESPN.com and NFL.com
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