Steelers need to win and have outside help for playoff football

Article by Gordon Dedman

Happy New Year and I wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2016.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-12)

After their loss in Baltimore last Sunday there has been a lot of social media traffic regarding Mike Tomlin’s Steelers poor performances against sub .500 teams. A defeat in Cleveland will not only provide the Tomlin haters with more ammunition, it will mean another barren year for the fans who expect so much after being spoilt with six Lombardi trophies.

 

The Steelers not only require a win to make the playoffs, but they also need help from the Bills to defeat the Jets. Coach Rex Ryan will ensure it will be a hot contest in Buffalo with the visit of the team that fired him last year.

The Browns will face yet another change at quarterback with Johnny Manziel remaining in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Austin Davis will make his second start of the season in Manziel's place. Cleveland re-signed Pat Delvin, but they have the option of using ex-quarterback, now wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor as back-up.

In his only start this season, the four-year veteran Davis was overwhelmed in a 3-37 rout by the Bengals in Week 13.

On offense for the Steelers, it should be all systems go although Ben Roethlisberger joined some teammates with flu symptoms mid-week. Steeler fans will be hoping their team doesn’t catch a cold in Cleveland and that the Bills can put some heat on the Jets.

If rumours are to be believed, this could be Coach Mike Pettine’s last game. In ten years, five different coaches have endured life in the hot seat with the Browns while in that same period the Steelers have only known Mike Tomlin as their head coach.

Baltimore Ravens (5-10) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

With the Bengals confirmed as division champions, they now have the number two seed slot in the AFC to chase so it’s unlikely they will be fielding their second string team.

The Bengals have won four straight against the Ravens and hold a 12-7 advantage at home and should extend that record. Cincinnati won this season’s first meeting 28-24 at Baltimore in week 3 after battling back in the final four minutes to turn a three-point deficit into a four-point victory. Five of the last six meetings have been decided by seven or fewer points, so it should provide an exciting contest.

In eight of their ten defeats this season, the Ravens have had an opportunity to tie the game or take a lead in the final two minutes of play so they won’t just lie down and be rolled over – as they proved in last week’s triumph over the Steelers.

With their backup quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and AJ McCarron taking centre stage again both have the opportunity to take another step forward in their football careers.