Having already clinched playoff berths, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for the AFC title and the right to possibly host a game during the postseason when the two clubs meet in Week 17 of Sunday Night Football at the Heinz field.
The Steelers will try to make it two-in-a-row over the Bengals whom they earlier defeated 42-21 on December 7. But a lot of things have changed since then, including Cincinnati's 37-28 triumph over the favored Denver Broncos. That victory allowed the Bengals to earn a playoff spot and Sunday's match should be something to watch.
The Steelers are however expected to rely heavily on their defense, something that has been their key to success. And while many believe that there are many ways to get through the Steel Curtain Defense, it is a fact that the Bengals are on a streak and putting up defensive checks of their own.
So with both teams bulking up on the defensive end, the difference could lie on their offensive plays. One of the highlighted plays in the Bengals match with the Broncos was shutting down future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, something which they could apply to the Steelers as well come Sunday.
While odds do favor the Steelers to repeat, the Bengals could pull off some surprises especially with rookie running back, Jeremy Hill, leading the charge. Hill was instrumental in the Bengals' victory over the Broncos, a new development from the traditional reliance on Andy Dalton.
With their new found energy, the Bengals are hoping that Hill will bring his brilliance with the hope of breaking down the Steelers' defense.
"Especially with the way we've been performing in prime-time situations, I just knew that somebody had to ignite the team," Hill said, according to the Associated Press. "Somebody had to inspire everyone else. If that had to be me, then so be it. I'm just a guy who plays with a lot of emotion.
The Bengals and the Steelers get it on this Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EST with the game being broadcast on TV on NBC. The game can also be watched online via live stream by clicking here.
