Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals: prediction, preview, pick to win

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. TV: CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn.

SERIES HISTORY: 93rd regular-season meeting. Steelers lead the series, 57-35. They have won the last two matchups, including a 24-16 verdict in Week 2.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The recent history between the Steelers and Bengals suggests there will be lots of bad blood when the teams take the field Sunday at Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. After all, the Bengals played Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" song over the speakers last winter when there was a pregame skirmish at midfield before the game.

The game means more for the Steelers (8-5), who hold a one-game lead over the Ravens (7-6) for first place in the AFC North. If the Steelers win their final three games, they'll win the division and get a home playoff game.

The Steelers are running the ball as well as any team in the NFL, and they'll look to keep that going against a Bengals defense that ranks 25th against the run. The Bengals are giving up 119 rushing yards per game. Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has four consecutive 100-yard rushing games and is coming off a career-high 236-yard performance against the Bills.

When the Steelers do pass, they'll try to get the ball to Antonio Brown, who leads the team with 11 touchdowns. Brown has enjoyed success against the Bengals' secondary in previous meetings.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis expects his players, in particular linebacker Vontaze Burfict, to keep their emotions in check. Containing Bell and limiting big plays by receiver Antonio Brown might be a taller order. Cincinnati has played well in recent weeks, especially quarterback Andy Dalton, who might have top receiver A.J. Green back this week from a strained hamstring. The Bengals' postseason hopes are dwindling, so a win over the rival Steelers might help salvage something from a disappointing season.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Bengals WR Tyler Boyd vs. Steelers CB William Gay. Boyd has developed into one of the league's top third-down receivers and increased his role when A.J. Green was out with a hamstring injury. Gay will pick up the assignment over covering Boyd in the slot and must be able to limit the catch and yards after the catch for Boyd, who has 48 receptions for 526 yards.

--Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict. Brown said Burfict made amends for his late hit, which ultimately led to Pittsburgh's dramatic victory in last year's AFC wild-card game. Watch for the interactions between these two.

SUNDAY TEAM REPORT:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

--Out: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot), S Shamarko Thomas (concussion)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

--Doubtful: DE Wallace Gilberry (calf), WR A.J. Green (hamstring)

--Questionable: LS Clark Harris (groin), S Derron Smith (thigh), TE C.J. Uzomah (calf), WR James Wright (knee)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Bengals K Randy Bullock. He was acquired this week on a waiver claim from Pittsburgh, replacing the struggling Mike Nugent. Bullock, a fifth-year NFL player, has played in 45 games, making 78 of 96 field goal attempts (81.3 percent) and 91 of 95 PATs (95.8 percent). Bullock said he was sitting at home when he got the news. Bullock's longest field goal has been 55 yards, equaling the Bengals' record. In 2016, Bullock has kicked for the New York Giants in their season opener and for the Steelers on Dec. 4, as a replacement for injured Chris Boswell.

FAST FACTS:

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had 259 passing yards and 3 TDs in last meeting. He has eight passing TDs and four interceptions in the past five games.

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell rushed for a team-record 236 yards with three TDs and had 62 receiving yards last week. He's one of two players in NFL history (Jim Brown, 1965) with 225 rushing yards, three rushing TDs and 50 receiving yards in a game. He leads the league with 161.6 scrimmage yards per game.

Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown has 204 receiving yards in the past two games at Cincinnati. He has six receiving TDs in the past six games and leads the NFL with 93 catches, ranking second with 11 receiving TDs. Since 2011, he leads the NFL with 603 catches and 8,056 yards.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton has five passing TDs and no interceptions in the past three games. He ranks second in the AFC with 3,555 passing yards.

Bengals RB Jeremy Hill aims for a third straight game with a rushing TD. He had 142 scrimmage yards (111 rushing) and a rushing TD last week. Since 2015, he's tied for second in the NFL with 19 rushing TDs.

Bengals TE Tyler Eifert has four TD catches in the past three games and leads NFL tight ends with 18 TD catches since 2015.

PREDICTION:

The Steelers are rolling, but this is a tricky spot for them. They have lost a spate of games the last three years to bad teams, often playing down to the level of their competition, and the Bengals would love nothing more than to play the spoiler's role. However, Pittsburgh has more to play for and will squeak out a tight one.

OUR PICK: Steelers, 24-23.

--Bucky Dent