Steelers Look to Secure Consecutive Wins Against the Bengals as Ja’Marr Chase and Kenny Pickett Sit it Out This Time Around

This Saturday, NFL fans are in for a treat, as Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to face the Cincinnati Bengals at around 4:30 p.m. ET on December 23. The game will be at the Steelers’ home ground at Acrisure Stadium. A victory over the Bengals on their home turf will certainly make the win more satisfying for the Steelers for a historic reason!

Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 7-7 in the NFL standings, while the Bengals are one rank above them with eight wins and six losses in the AFC North division. Notably, both teams have very little chance of making it to the playoffs, and this game would likely decide their next trajectory. Meanwhile, ahead of game day, both teams have released their final injury reports.

Bengals vs. Steelers final injury report: Who’s in? Who’s out?

The Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase got injured (shoulder) in the Week 15 game against the Vikings. Reportedly, he was unable to practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Therefore, Chase will be unavailable to play in the Week 16 game against the Steelers. However, besides him, other injured players – Chase Brown (chest), Alex Cappa (knee/ankle), Cameron Sample (knee/ankle), Joe Bachie (Oblique), QB Jake Browning (right forearm), and Jackson Carman (illness), will all be playing against Pittsburgh, after their full-participation on Wednesday and Thursday’s practice.

On the other hand, the Steelers are dealing with three players out due to injuries, including the team’s star player, QB Kenny Pickett (ankle), who reportedly had limited participation in Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday’s practice. Besides him, DB Trenton Thompson (neck) and FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) are also out of Saturday’s clash.

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Elijah Riley (ankle) is tagged as ‘questionable’ right now. Meanwhile, Najee Harris (knee), Isaac Seumalo (shoulder), Broderick Jones (ankle), Pat Freiermuth (knee), and Cameron Heyward (concussion), will be seen in action!

This matchup would be historic for the Steelers if they win. Let’s find out how!

Bengals will try to save their 3-year effort!

Although the Steelers lead the overall series 69-39-0, they still have to make a consecutive win over the Bengals. The Steelers haven’t won against the Bengals back-to-back since 2020. Last time, when they met in November, the Steelers won over the Bengals with 16-10. So, this will be a golden opportunity to keep the winning streak alive by winning the December 23 game. However, the Steelers are in a tough spot, trying to find solutions to their recent struggles.

With a three-game losing streak, they have fallen to a .500 record and last place in the AFC North. Steelers’ 30-13 loss to the Colts has almost knocked them out of playoff contention, with just 5% remaining as per NY Times. In response, coach Mike Tomlin has decided to change quarterbacks for the upcoming game, with Mason Rudolph getting the start, benching Mitch Trubisky.

On the other side, the Bengals are also facing playoff uncertainties, with a current 44% chance, the lowest among AFC and NFC teams. If they lose to Pittsburgh and go 0-5 in their division, their chances would drop to 14%.  ESPN Stats & Information revealed that Cincinnati’s playoff odds would have dropped to 9% with a loss.

It was the 27-24 overtime victory over the Vikings that raised their chances to 34%. This came after the Bengals overcame deficits of 14 and 7 points in the fourth quarter to extend the game. The team has a home-ground advantage and it will all be seen at Acrisure Stadium.

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