NFL Breakdown - Steelers vs Bengals - The Nitty Gritty



Big Ben Is Going to Have to Carry This Team
On His Back in PRIMETIME


In the last installment of the NFL Breakdown of the Steelers vs Bengals, I focus on the intangibles that I like to call the "Nitty Gritty".  See the breakdown and my prediction at the bottom.  You disagree?  What is your prediction?  Leave it in the comments section.

- Road Warriors? Ha - Its been highly documented that the Steelers haven't won a road game this season. However, some are tending to think its going to happen this sunday just because its the next road game on the schedule. The reason the Steelers haven't won a road game rhos year isn't because of anything except the4th quarter. The offenses hasn't cashed in on drives and the defense cant get out of their own way in he final frame. If the Steelers want to win this game they need to FINISH the game vs the Bengals.

- Primetime Letdown - It used to be a guarantee that the Steelers would win in primetime. The last few times under the national stage hasn't been good to the black n gold. The Steelers have lost 2 primetime fames already this year (opening night vs the Broncos and the Thursday night debacle vs the Titans). Under Bill Cowher and even the early part of Mike Tomlin's tenure the Steelers dominated the primetime games...its up to Tomlin to get the team back even with all of the injuries.

- Home Field Advantage? - I realize that the Steelers are playing in Cincinnati but Ben Roethlisberger is a career 7-1 vs the Bengals in Cincy. Steelers fans traditionally travel well to Paul Brown stadium and the players have said it feels like a home game when they play in the queen city. However, this is a game the Bengals fans will attend and its up to the Steelers to take the crowd out of the game early. It isn't quite the home field advantage that most teams have but the Steelers just need to win a game and where better than in Cincinnati vs the Bengals.

- Must Win - Speaking of winning a game...both of these teams need this in a bad way, but I think we can all agree the Steelers need this one the most. Steelers fans have gotten used o seeing their favorite team win these games since 2005 when the needed 5 straight wins just to get in the playoffs. This team is banged up and what better way to send a message to their fans and the rest o the NFL that this team is better than their 2-3 record. That this team is the team everyone thought they'd be at the beginning of the season. Its dire straits in the steel city and its time for the Steelers to step up.

- Prediction - I've picked the Steelers every week this year not because I'm a huge fan but because I've thought the Steelers were going to win the game. With that said, I think the Steelers are going to win this game, but this one is going to come down to the end.

Steelers - 27
Bengals - 24 (OT)