AFC Wild Card Round Fixtures, Dates, TV Listings, Times

Steelers (10-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (12-4), 8:15 p.m. – The Steelers are very comfortable playing in Cincinnati, winning 14 of the 17 games in Paul Brown Stadium.

The team’s statement win came in Pittsburgh on December 4, 2005 as the Bengals defeated Pittsburgh 38-31 to effectively claim the AFC North crown.

The Steelers (10-6) have the No. 1 passing offense in the National Football League with Ben Roethlisberger as the quarterback.

The Bengals won the first game against the Steelers at Heinz Field in Week eight by a score of 16-10. Cincinnati is preparing for A.J. McCarron to start this game as Andy Dalton has had his hand removed from his cast but both have completed 66 percent of their passes but Dalton has a better grasp of the system and is the starter if healthy. The Steelers are averaging 26.4 points and 395.4 yards per game and they have a plus two turnover ratio.

With Dalton scheduled to meet with doctors on Monday, the Bengals are uncertain whether he’s ready to get back into the game. The injury stemmed from a hit by linebacker Vontaze Burfict that spurred a war of words with Steelers linebacker Vince Williams that spilled over into social media and pregame warmups last month. The playoffs kick off next weekend and the race to Super Bowl 50 begins with Wild Card weekend in both the NFC and AFC. With McCarron under center, Cincinnati has gone 2-1 as he passed for 832 yards and six touchdowns. The Bengals were roughed up by the Steelers a few weeks ago and they would love to pay them back here. They’ve lost in the Wild Card round four consecutive years and five out of the last six. The Bengals were one-point home favorites in that game and had upset Pittsburgh 16-10 as one-point road underdogs in Week 8. “I’m excited, but now it’s time for the playoffs…”

The Steelers are waiting for a status update on RB DeAngelo Williams who suffered an ankle injury early in their game on Sunday. Whether due to a depleted crew of wide receivers, an inadequate offensive line, off-kilter play calling or his own throwing, Aaron Rodgers has had the worst year of his career. Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in 24 of 36 passes.