Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers scuffle prior to kickoff

If Cincy can make Bryant and Brown a non-factor once more, I can't see Pittsburgh devising other ways to knock off this talented Bengals squad.

This week, a shootout looks very possible when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Indeed, even if Pittsburgh wins this one, its chances of surpassing Cincinnati are not strong.

Taking this into consideration, maybe this game should be billed as one that pits America's team versus Europe's team. The Steelers trail only the Arizona Cardinals in yards-per-game with the Black and Gold averaging 409.1 and Arizona on top with a 417.5 mark. However, he was benched after fumbling the opening kickoff and muffing a punt in the second quarter against the Colts.

Dallas (4-8) at Green Bay (8-4) (FOX, 1 p.m.): The Packers are a desperation pass away from being 7-5 and scrambling to make the postseason.

The Bengals (10-2) hold a three-game AFC North lead over the Steelers (7-5) with four games left. The Bills are playing the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jets are playing the Tennessee Titans, the Steelers are playing the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Chiefs are playing the San Diego Chargers.

Wrapping up the AFC North are the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns who are trying to turn their seasons around in the final games of the campaign.

"I am sure they were aiming to take somebody out today and kudos to them - they did the job", Pittsburgh guard Ramon Foster said after the game.

I feel bad for Bills fans. "Coach made a decision when he needed me back there, and I was ready to go when he made the call". Give the Steelers a slight edge this Sunday in what should be an exciting contest. His previous three touchdowns in that role were all against the Bengals.

There certainly won't be any love lost between the pair with accusations of cheap shots floating around during recent encounters while a mid-December showdown between two divisional rivals with plenty at stake invariably means tension gets in the way of some free-flowing football. He's obviously one of the most explosive players. Their bigger concern will be if he can finally get over the hump and move his team past the first round for the first time in his career. "Hopefully we can keep our composure, hopefully he can keep his composure, and let them be the village idiots".

NOTES: Every player on the roster was a full participant at practice Friday.

PROBABLE: Starting TE Tyler Eifert (pinched nerve) went full Thursday and Friday after missing last week's game.