Steelers-Bengals: 3 Keys to Victory

For those of you who live under a rock, The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the playoffs. It was one hell of a journey that brought insanity every single week, and as I have stated before, it has been the most exciting Steelers season in my lifetime. While winning 10 games making the playoffs despite dealing with injuries to key players is a pleasing accomplishment, the Steelers are not satisfied, no sir. To make this season special as well as exciting, the Steelers cannot be a one-and-done. Looking through all 6 AFC playoff teams, the Steelers are the most curious. They could very well run the table and get to Levi's Stadium to go for a 7th Lombardi, or they can lose in the bloody wildcard round for the second year in a row. Tonight, they are taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in said Wildcard round. Here are three things that the Steelers should do if they don't want their season to end tonight.  Also for those looking for my predictions for all playoff games, I probably will not have them today. I simply did not have enough time this week to write one, but should be good to go for the rest of the playoffs. 

Key #1: Big Ben 24/7

Photo creds to newpittsburghcourieronline.com

The Steelers currently do not have a running back. DeAngelo Williams is out, so Fitzgerald Toussiant is starting in his place. So allow me to correct myself: The Steelers currently do not have a running back. So it does not take a rocket scientest to know that for the Steelers to win this game, they will need to pass the ball even more than they usually do, which means that Ben Roethlisberger will need to get his act together after a rough past few weeks. Ben's #1 target will be Antonio Brown, but watch for Martavius Bryant. The young and raw receiver appears to have an extra gear after Roethlisberger called him out this week, saying he needs to toughen up after not playing well the past two weeks. Ben will need to be a leader, as he has struggled on the road this season. I don't think that Big Ben will choke, as he is center-stage now and has no other options.

Likelihood of execution: Good

Key #2: Pressure AJ McCarron

Cam Heyward. Photo creds to www.washingpost.com

The Steelers are currently 3rd in the league in team sacks with 48, so it might be a good idea to put pressure on the quarterback. While I understand that blitzing does not always equate to more sacks, it can't make the secondary any worse than it already is. I think if they Steelers blitz, especially off the edges, it can make life rather difficult for McCarron tonight.

Likelihood of Exeuction: Moderate

Key #3: Play like the underdog 

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The Steelers are currently the favorite to win this game, as the line is currently Bengals +3. However, that does not necessarily mean that Pittsburgh has more pressure on them than Cincy does. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since George H.W. Bush was president, and a loss today will mean a loss in the first round for the 5th year in a row. While Steelers fans will be as negative as humanly possible with a loss, Bengals fans will take it harder, and wonder what this season could have brought if Andy Dalton did not get injured. The Steelers should play like a team with less to lose than their opponent, as it will lead to a more relaxed, let-it-all-hang-out style of play.

Likelihood of Execution: Solid

Final Prediction
This should be a fun one to watch, as Steelers-Bengals is devolping into an intense rivalry. Although I don't expect another pregame fight, I do expect a physical game that might get a little chippy at times. The Bengals will be focoused, but I do not see AJ McCarron beating Ben Roethlisberger in a playoff game. The Steelers defense will have one of their good days and limit McCarron and the Bengals offense, Big Ben will find AB 11 times for 136 yards, and th Steelers will come away with a 10 point victory. What happens after this for the Black and Gold? God knows. They can run the table, or the table can crash on them tonight. We will see what happens.

Final Score: Steelers 27, Bengals 17