Bell keys surging Steelers into key tilt with Bengals (Dec 18, 2016)
Just a month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were floundering amid a three-game losing streak, head coach Mike Tomlin's job was in jeopardy and there was serious talk about missing the playoffs.
But then the Steelers rediscovered Le'Veon Bell and the running game, and now Pittsburgh (7-5) is knocking on the postseason door. And all is well with everyone in the Steel City who waves the Terrible Towel.
That's bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a lot of things to go right if they are going to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
After going winless in November, Cincinnati (5-7-1) has reeled off two straight victories to have just a minuscule chance at the playoffs.
Now the road gets tougher for Cincinnati with Sunday's home game against Bell and the Steelers. AFC North rival Baltimore comes to town before the Bengals close out the regular season with a road game at Houston.
"There are three big weeks left and it will be a challenge," tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "It's three really good teams, and so we'll have an opportunity to really put our will forward. We have a great opportunity with Pittsburgh coming to our place and what should be a big battle."
After running roughshod over the Buffalo Bills last week, the Steelers control their own destiny as they took over sole possession of first place in the North.
Pittsburgh turned its season around when the coaching staff committed to Bell taking pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and shouldering the offensive load.
Against Buffalo, Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards with an additional 62 receiving yards. He scored three touchdowns.
In the past four games that coincided with the Steelers becoming a serious contender again, Bell has averaged nearly 30 carries and 115 rushing yards. There's nothing more valuable than a workhorse running back in wintry conditions.
"It's December football," Bell said. "We understand everybody is fighting for position. We just want to get the job done. That's all there is to it."
The Steelers control their own fate with games left against AFC North rivals Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland.
"We are in a good situation right now, but we obviously have to win this game and (get) better," Bell said.
During the Steelers' four-game losing skid that preceded the winning streak, Bell was the forgotten man. In each of those games, he was held to 81 yards or fewer; in three of those four losses he was held to 60 yards or fewer.
"I can't say enough about the run game, and when I talk about the run game, it's not just Le'Veon Bell -- our guys out front did a heck of a job," Tomlin said. "Fullback Rosie Nix and our big personnel packages did a really good job of blocking a myriad of fronts because as the game wore on, they threw a lot at us."
The Bills challenged Roethlisberger, who struggled in the snow and wind at Orchard Park as he completed just 17 of 31 pass attempts for 220 yards and three interceptions. Roethlisberger will need to be more efficient this week against a Bengals' defense that is all too familiar with the Steelers signal-caller.
The past couple of times the two teams have met, there have been accusations of dirty play as players on both sides have been injured.
"I hope it's not dirty," Roethlisberger said. "We expect a physical game. That's what we want it to be. We expect them to be the same way. We are not going to be a dirty team. We are going to go out and play football and play hard and physical, not retaliate. Just play this game the way it's supposed to be played. If there are a lot of nasty things going on, I guess we will know why."
Against Cleveland last week, Andy Dalton wasn't at his best -- but he didn't have to be as Cincinnati ran for 213 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Jeremy Hill ran for 111 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals earned a second consecutive win for the first time this season.
And they won both those games without All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green, who was out with a hamstring injury. Green could return against the Steelers but was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report. On Wednesday, he took part in practice for the first time in 24 days.
Cornerback Adam Jones (ankle) did not take part in Wednesday's practice, but will play Sunday.
Dalton has 17 touchdown passes this season. He knows if the Bengals are to stay in the race until the end, he has to be at his best in the last three games. But Dalton is looking ahead -- not behind.
"We wasted some opportunities early in the year," he said. "We can't worry about that. For us, it's all about finishing strong."
Both defenses are coming off solid performances.
Running against the Steelers is going to be a challenge for Hill, despite the Steelers missing Cameron Heyward, their best defensive lineman.
During their four-game winning streak, they haven't allowed a team to rush for 100 yards. Buffalo was the top rushing team heading into Sunday, but the Bills were held to just 67 yards. Running back LeSean McCoy was held to 27 yards on 12 carries.
The Steelers also recorded five sacks and an interception.
Cincinnati held the Browns to 10 points and was led by defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and five tackles.
The Cincinnati defense has held its last four opponents to under 15 points per game.
Neither Vontaze Burfict nor Bell played in Week 2 when the two teams tangled in Pittsburgh, a 24-16 Steelers win. The Bengals also were without tight end Tyler Eifert.
One Bengal who did play, kicker Mike Nugent, was released on Tuesday. Cincinnati claimed veteran Randy Bullock on waivers, oddly enough from the Steelers.
Safety Shamarko Thomas (concussion) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) will both not play Sunday.
