Steelers Face Tough Test vs. Bengals, Who Seek to Sweep and Tighten AFC North Lead

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to hold onto their first place position in the AFC North on Sunday as they host the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, are seeking to sweep the Steelers and tighten their grip on the division lead. The Bengals have won five of the last nine meetings between the two teams, including a 33-31 victory in Cincinnati on October 16. Flacco, who is expected to make his 200th career start, has been impressive in his four starts since being traded to the Bengals, averaging a league-high 313.5 passing yards per game. He has a history of success against the Steelers, with 30 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 86.7 passer rating in 23 regular-season games. The Steelers, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has struggled in recent weeks, will look to get back on track against the Bengals' struggling defense. However, the Steelers' secondary will face a tough test against the Bengals' receiving tandem of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who have been nearly unstoppable this season. The Steelers' offense has struggled to find consistency this season, but they will look to get back on track against the Bengals' defense, which has allowed five 100-yard rushers in the last four games. Running back Jaylen Warren will look to build on his career-best 158 yards from scrimmage in the first meeting with the Bengals, while outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will look to continue his recent surge with four sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass swatted down over the last two games. The game will also see the return of several key players for both teams, including Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who has opened his 21-day window to return from injury. The Steelers will also look to get back to their winning ways under coach Mike Tomlin, who is 15-6 in games following a loss of at least 15 points. The Bengals, meanwhile, will look to continue their recent surge and tighten their grip on the division lead. They will look to replicate their success in the first meeting with the Steelers, when Chase set a franchise record with 16 receptions and Flacco passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns. The game is expected to be a closely contested affair, with the Bengals' offense looking to get back on track against the Steelers' struggling defense.