Cincinnati Bengals v.s. Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Card Preview

The last time these two rivals faced off in the wild card round, Pittsburgh romped Cincinnati 31-17. Pittsburgh made a playoff run and were Super Bowl XL champions that season. However, that playoff game occurred ten years ago and each team has altered their game plans. The rivalry has not changed and the stakes are still high. Cincinnati has not won a playoff game since 1990 and need backup quarterback A.J. McCarron to come in clutch. He has the opportunity pick a part the Steelers soft secondary and become the first Bengal quarterback to throw a touchdown in his first career playoff start. Cincinnati will hope to avenge their week thirteen loss against Pittsburgh, but face a huge challenge in the Steelers high-octane offense. Pittsburgh high-flying offense has been a problem for defenses all season long, despite losing Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell to a torn ACL. Will Cincinnati prevail and keep Big Ben and the Steelers offense in check or will Pittsburgh hand Marvin Lewis and the Bengals another playoff loss?

My Prediction: Bengals 30 - Steelers 27

Bold Predictions in Matchup:

• Cornerback Adam Jones (allowed only one touchdown during the regular season) will do solid job shadowing Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown. He will get help from safeties George Illoka and Reggie Nelson. Brown will surpass 100 yards, but held out of the end zone
• McCarron will throw 2 TD and 1 INT (To Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert)
• Pittsburgh defense will struggle in the red zone because Bengals Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson is going to surprise Mike Tomlin with some trickery.
• A.J. Green is a matchup nightmare against William Gay (Projected: 7 Rec 150 yards)
• Vontaze Burficit lockeroom energy will fire up the Bengals defense. Burficit despises Pittsburgh and is hungry for a victory
• Ben Roethlisberger will throw for 350 yards, but throw two critical interceptions in the second half
• The Bengals offensive line will manhandle Steelers pass rush, but struggle to open up lanes for Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard.
• Marvin Lewis finally gets that playoff victory

Key Matchups:

• Steelers RT Marcus Gilbert vs Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap
• WR Antonio Brown v.s CB Adam Jones
• RG Kevin Zeitler v.s. NT Steve McClendon/DE Cameron Heyward
• TE Tyler Eifert v.s. ILB Lawrence Timmons
• DT Geno Atkins v.s. RG David DeCastro