- WHERE: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
- WHEN: 8 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, NFL+
1) Can Joe Burrow and the offense continue to succeed? It’s been nearly a month since Burrow faced the Steelers’ defense and so much has changed since they last met on Dec. 1. It was the most combined points scored in a game between the Bengals and Steelers all-time, per NFL Research. In the last eight games, Burrow is the only QB in NFL history to record 250-plus pass yards and 3-plus pass TDs. A part of that success must go to receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase leads the league in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,612) and receiving TDs (16). He’s on pace to snag the league’s first receiving triple crown since Cooper Kupp captured it in 2021. As for Higgins, his Week 17 performance against the Broncos was huge with Chase covered by Patrick Surtain II. In the crucial win, Higgins had 11 catches for 131 yards and three TDs. Pittsburgh will have its hands full with both receivers, who are the only teammate duo in the league with 10-plus receiving touchdowns in 2024. A big question for Cincy, however, will be the status of running back Chase Brown, who is expected to be a game-time decision after suffering an ankle injury in Week 17.
2) Russell Wilson must get back on track before the playoffs. During Pittsburgh’s three-game losing streak, Wilson has thrown three touchdowns and two interceptions versus teams that will be playing in the postseason (Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs). Wilson, however, had success against the Bengals in their last matchup when the Steelers recorded a season-high 44 points and 520 total yards. Wilson will need to expose Cincy’s defense on deep passes, and he has the right receiver in George Pickens to do so. Pickens leads the NFL with 15 receptions for 515 receiving yards on deep passes, according to Next Gen Stats. Tight end Pat Freiermuth leads the Steelers with six receiving TDs. If Wilson wants to be heading into postseason in the right direction, look for Pickens and Freiermuth to be a key part of the passing game on Saturday.