The 8-8 Cincinnati Bengals take on the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers in the second of today’s Week 18 Saturday NFL games. Unlike the day’s earlier Ravens-Browns game, this matchup has playoff implications for both teams.
It’s a must-win game for Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who are vying with the 9-7 Denver Broncos and 8-8 Miami Dolphins for the final AFC playoff spot.
If the Bengals lose, their playoff dreams instantly come to an end. If they win, their playoff hopes last for another day, hinging on the outcomes of Sunday’s Broncos and Dolphins games.
The Bengals have slim chances of making the playoffs. A lot must go their way: they not only need a win tonight over a resurgent Russell Wilson and the Steelers, but they also need a Broncos loss and a Dolphins loss or tie on Sunday.
The Steelers, by contrast, are on more secure ground. Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff berth. However, their hopes to win the AFC North and AFC’s third seed came to an end with the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Cleveland Browns earlier today.
- WR Charlie Jones
- RB Chase Brown
- DE Isaiah Thomas
- OT Andrew Stueber
- WR Jermaine Burton
- TE Tanner McLachlan
- DE Sam Hubbard
- QB Kyle Allen (emergency third QB)
- WR Scott Miller
- CB Donte Jackson
- DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
- DE Dean Lowry
Kickoff for tonight’s Bengals-Steelers game is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM Eastern.
This is a nationally broadcast game on ABC and ESPN.
Joe Buck will handle play-by-play, Troy Aikman will provide color commentary, and Lisa Salters will serve as tonight’s sideline reporter.
Streaming options for tonight’s game are plenty. They include: the ABC and ESPN websites and apps, ESPN+, NFL+, and streaming platforms that offer ABC and ESPN — including DirectTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu, and YouTube TV.
Globely Staff
