Steelers vs Bengals: Staff writer predictions

For the upcoming Steelers vs Bengals NFL Playoff game, the staff writing team of The Jet Press weighed in their thoughts.

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the NY Jets are out of the NFL Playoffs, we here at The Jet Press are just as excited as many football fans are for the postseason. With teams earning their spots to those that squeaked in, this postseason promises to be one to remember.

The Steelers are a dangerous team once they’re in the playoffs as many believe they will ride their momentum straight to the big game. On the other hand, the Bengals have been here before but can’t seem to get over their apparent curse of never being able to win a game after having yet another successful season.

Here are some predictions by the staff writing team of The Jet Press for what should be a great game between the Steelers and Bengals.

Next: Steelers take care of business

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates with Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster (73) after throwing a touchdown to Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (not pictured) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers take care of business Luis Tirado Jr.: Twitter – Facebook – Google+

I love how the Steelers usually take care of business once they have a ticket in the playoffs. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will always be a catalyst on offense as I expect him and wide receiver Antonio Brown to really put up some serious points against the Bengals’ defense.

The receiving corps of the Steeler will prove to be too much to handle against the Bengals. Plus that entire mantra of them knowing they haven’t won a playoff game in so many years will haunt them in this match-up. I just don’t see the Bengals being able to keep up with the offensive powerhouse of the Steelers.

To make matters worse for the Bengals, even if Andy Dalton plays or AJ McCarron, one is injured and the other has zero experience during huge moments like this in the NFL.

Next: Experience beats all

Jan 3, 2016, Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) makes a reception against Cleveland Browns free safety Jordan Poyer (33) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Experience beats all Michael Pallas: Twitter

The Steelers roll into Cincinnati as the sixth seed. It’s a place familiar to the Steelers as they’ve been in similar situations before. This match-up will be lopsided as the Steelers have a much better team and the Bengals have several key injuries.

Andy Dalton possibly not being there swings the pendulum to the favor of the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger’s playoff experience vs. AJ McCarron’s is huge. One can’t compare the power of experience over anything as the Steelers should be able to use that to easily get past the Bengals.

Prediction: Steelers 27 Bengals 20

Next: Steelers win in dramatic fashion

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) runs as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen (28) attempts to tackle during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers win in dramatic fashion Jason Rodriguez: Twitter

The Steelers vs Bengals match-up is a must see game because of how they are both division rivals. These two have a bitter history between one another and one of them would love to end their rivals season.

I think the Steelers will be able to pull away from them late in the game because of how scary the offense of the Steelers is and the veteran quarterback they have in Roethlisberger. Since Dalton has gone down with a thumb injury, the offense of the Bengals has stalled in the last three games.

Also, Maccarron has not had much exposure to real game-play as he has been the backup for the team the last couple of years. The Steelers will move on to the next round of the playoffs.

Next: Big Ben got this in the bag

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) walks the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Browns 28-12. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Big Ben got this in the bag Danielle McCartan: Twitter

The most interesting matchup of the weekend features a bitter AFC North rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals.  These teams are almost equal in all categories on paper, including the amount of after-the-pay personal foul fines from the last matchup.

With only a four-and-a-half driving distance between the two cities, I expect many Steeler fans to pack their Terrible Towels for a drive down I-70 and I-71 to root on their team, taking away a portion of “home field advantage” for the Bengals.

The matchup will come down to experience. The Steelers will prevail with the steady play of their 11-year veteran quarterback in Roethlisberger.  Though the Bengals have plenty of offensive weapons, most notably in Tyler Eifert, they will be relying on untested, inexperienced backup quarterback A.J. McCarron to deliver the ball.  In the biggest game of his career, I just don’t see that happening for McCarron.

Upset special of the weekend: Pittsburgh Steelers (6) over Cincinnati Bengals (3).

Next: Steelers win thanks to potent passing attack

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) hurdles Denver Broncos safety Josh Bush (20) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers win thanks to potent passing attack Christopher Stephano: Twitter The bitter rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals continues. Since losing DeAngelo Williams, the Steelers have become increasingly one-dimensional on offense. The Bengals, meanwhile, have significant injury concerns as well (QB Andy Dalton).

The Steelers are not a balanced enough team to make a serious run in the playoffs, but their potent passing attack should be enough to knock out the AJ McCarron-led Bengals.

Steelers win, 31-21

Next: Steelers are a volatile team

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) points out coverage against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers are a volatile team Todd Gerstenhaber: Twitter This would be the Jets spot if we could have gotten by Buffalo, and with Cincinnati not winning a playoff game in 25 years, this would have been a chance for the Jets defensive stalwarts to send the Bengals packing early once again. Instead, the Steelers will get a third matchup with their divisional foe and a chance to further establish their presence in the minds of long-suffering Bengals fans.

The Steelers are one of the most volatile teams in football. Steelers teams are usually defined by their play on the defensive side of the ball, but with Antonio Brown racking up over 1,800 yards receiving, Ben Roethlisberger and his main target have a combination that rivals Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall.

I was salivating at this matchup as a Jets fan thinking we could be the latest playoff demon for the Bengals, and I think the Steelers will be doing the same. It doesn’t matter if Andy Dalton can go or not, as I think the Steelers are in the heads of the Bengals, and will be this weekend.

Score: Steelers 27, Bengals 17

Next: A big upset brewing in Cincinnati

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) prepares to throw the ball in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

A big upset brewing in Cincinnati Paul Esden Jr.: Twitter – Facebook

Unfortunately our NY Jets should have, could have, would have played the Bengals in primetime on Saturday night, but instead, we have the Pittsburgh Steelers traveling to play them instead.

Both teams are hurting from injuries suffered throughout the 2015 season and as dangerous as people claim the Steelers to be, I just see too many flaws with this team.

It appears McCarron is going to get the start and he looks poised. I’m calling upset alert as I just checked the calendar and guess what? It’s the year of the Bengal! I’m picking the Bengals to finally win their first playoff game in a very long time.

Next: One tough Steelers' offense

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (11) catches a touchdown as Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi (24) defends during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers beat the Browns 28-12. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

One tough Steelers’ offense Ryan Patti: Twitter

There’s nothing better than a division rivalry game in the postseason, but no Andy Dalton means bad news for the Bengals. Although Dalton has struggled mightily in the playoffs, a young and inexperienced A.J. McCarron is by no means better.

McCarron stepped in for Dalton in the middle of the Week 14 matchup against Pittsburgh, but he failed to make much of an impact outside of a long touchdown pass to A.J. Green. As a result, you can expect a similar outcome to the one in Week 14.

The Steelers’ offense has been tough to stop all year long, and ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger has been down this road many times before. Not to mention, he’s only lost twice in Cincinnati his entire career.

Prediction: Steelers 31-20

Next: Steelers will steamroll Bengals

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with tight end Heath Miller (83) after Brown caught a twenty-three yard touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers will steamroll Bengals Matthew Ordazzo: Twitter

This will be a tough game, the two division rivals always seem to put on a tremendous show during their games. I have the Pittsburgh Steelers dethroning the AFC North division champ Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers have one of the best offenses in the NFL, they average 31.2 points per game.

No opposing defense has been able to shut down the duo of Big Ben and Antonio Brown. Deangelo Williams has also been a savior for that Pittsburgh back field with Leveon Bell out for the season. The weapons Pittsburgh has on offense is almost un fair.

Brown, Big Ben, Williams, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton and Heath Miller are an unstoppable force. The Bengals have a solid defense but without starting QB Andy Dalton, I give a strong edge to Pittsburgh.

Next: Bengals will shock the football world

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) celebrates with wide receiver A.J. Green (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals will shock the football world Mike Nash: Twitter

I’m going with the Bengals. I know AJ McCarron doesn’t have the experience, but I feel the Steelers secondary is going to be exposed in the postseason. Look for AJ Green to have a big game.

Next: Steelers are truly a dangerous team

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs after the catch during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers are truly a dangerous team Paul Harris: Twitter

Every year the Bengals seem to get better and better, but at the same time, the Bengals show everyone that post-season is their kryptonite. As much as it pains me to say it, the Steelers are the most dangerous team in the AFC along with New England, maybe even more dangerous considering New England’s injuries and current two-game losing streak.

As long as A.J. McCarron is at quarterback I don’t see the Bengals having a chance. Even if Andy Dalton made a full speedy recovery in less than a week this team still wouldn’t be able to hang around with Big Ben and Antonio Brown. They have something special up there in Pittsburgh and I don’t see the Bengals ruining it early.

My prediction is Steelers 33, Bengals 24.

Next: Steelers win thanks to one-two punch

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers beat the Browns 28-12. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers win thanks to one-two punch Jonathan Maldonado: Twitter

Don’t let the fluke loss to the Ravens fool you, this Steeler team is in position to make a deep run into this year’s post season. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are too much a of one-two offensive punch for the Bengals to keep up.

Next: McCarron saves the day

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

McCarron saves the day Shane Marshall: Twitter

Both teams split in the regular season, but AJ McCarron will be under center for the Bengals. Experience is valuable in the playoffs, but Cincinnati is at home and has a stout defense.

Bengals win 34-31.

Next: Bengals just aren't meant to win

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals just aren’t meant to win Genna Preston: Twitter – Facebook

This weekend, two AFC rivals battle their way to victory in a wild card game that will predict the pos season fate of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Looking at statistics and previous playoff outcomes, I am going with the Steelers on this one.

The Bengals are 0-7 in their last postseason match-ups. They haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. If that isn’t bad enough, they have only beat the Steelers twice in their last 15 home games.

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With Roethlisberger healthy and ending the season on a high note, the Steelers have an offensive advantage. However, the Bengals defense ranks 3^rd against the position. My prediction is the Steelers take it 27- 21.