This has fans worrying about who the Steelers will face in the playoffs. When the Steelers were 10-3 before the Eagles game, it didn't feel like it mattered as much who they played, but now that they have lost to three of the best teams in the league in a row, many wonder if they can finally win in the postseason.
If the Steelers win the AFC North, then they will be the third seed. If they lose, they will be either the fifth or sixth seed. If they lose, they will likely head to Baltimore to face the Ravens again. If they win, they are likely to play at the Houston Texans. If you were to ask most fans, they would tell you their preference is to play the Texans.
Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette told Joe Starkey on the 93.7 The Fan Pomp and Joe Show that he doesn't think going to Houston is the lock many people think it is.
"I think it would be a coin flip, Joe," admitted Fittipaldo. "I think there's something to be said for homefield advantage. Houston was there last year, and they got another shot at it. I'm not gonna say that the Steelers are definitely going to win that game, but I think it will be much closer than it would be in Baltimore."
However, Fittipaldo thinks that if Russell Wilson and George Pickens can get the offense moving down the field, they have a shot, but he thinks it could be close. The last two games the Steelers won were solid wins against the Bengals and the Browns.
Houston quarterback CJ Stroud has been inconsistent this year, and their offense hasn't played well. They scored a single safety against the Ravens on Christmas, which means the offense was shut out. They lost to the Tennessee Titans earlier this season, who have only won three games. At 9-7, the Texans are two games up and in first place in the AFC South.
"I know a lot of people want to point to the fact that the Steelers have had the Ravens number lately," said Fittipaldo. "Even though that one in Baltimore a few weeks ago didn't go their way. But if you're just looking at the way teams are playing, injuries, Texans, two-thirds of the receiving corps is down; Stroud doesn't have the season he had last year."
The Steelers' Week 18 game against the Bengals has a psychological component. Head Coach Mike Tomlin told the media they need to get the stench of losing off them; this is an opportunity to do that.
There is no love lost between these teams, and former Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton said he is expecting a "blood bath." The Bengals are still in the playoff hunt and must win against Pittsburgh to have any shot.
Steelers Going In Healthy
While no player is at 100% going into Week 18, most teams are experiencing the loss of players to injuries. It is a lucky team that makes it into the postseason with its key players intact. If the Steelers can avoid serious injury against the Bengals, they will be in solid shape.
The Bengals aren't as lucky. Several critical players are listed as questionable, including Chase Brown, Tee Higgins, Sam Hubbard, and Charlie Jones. That leads them with one starting receiver - Ja'Marr Chase. Of course, Joe Burrow and Chase have a superhuman connection.
