Bengals vs. Steelers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

NFL fans will be treated to a good, old-fashioned AFC North rivalry game when the Cincinnati Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week 15.

The once-mighty Steelers missed the playoffs in 2012. With a record of 5-8 heading into Week 15, Pittsburgh must win to have any chance of avoiding the same fate this season. Mike Tomlin's squad has lost two games in a row in heartbreaking fashion, and it won't get any easier against the Bengals.

Cincinnati comes into Sunday night's contest with a firm grip on the AFC North lead. Winners of three games in a row, the 9-4 Bengals are two games ahead of Baltimore with three left to play, meaning the division could be decided in Week 15.

The Steelers lost to Cincinnati in Week 2, 20-10. Not surprisingly, the Bengals are favored to win again, but these divisional matchups have a way of coming down to the wire on a regular basis. 

Here's a look at when and where you can catch the game, along with injury reports for both teams and a closer examination of the biggest key to victory.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Watch: NBC

Live Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Info (via Covers)

• Over/Under: 41.5 points
• Spread: Pittsburgh (+2.5)

Bengals Injury Report (via Bengals.com)

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Burfict, Vontaze	LB	Thigh	LP	DNP	-	-
Gilberry, Wallace	DE	Knee	LP	LP	-	-
Green-Ellis, BenJarvus	RB	Illness	DNP	DNP	-	-
Harrison, James	LB	Illness	-	DNP	-	-
Iloka, George	S	Concussion	LP	FP	-	-
Jones, Marvin	WR	Shoulder	LP	LP	-	-
Newman, Terence	CB	Knee	DNP	DNP	-	-
Zeitler, Kevin	G	Foot	FP	FP	-	-

Steelers Injury Report (via Steelers.com)

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Beachum, Kelvin	OG	Knee	FP	FP	-	-
Cotchery, Jerricho	WR	Shoulder	FP	FP	-	-
DeCastro, David	OG	Foot	FP	FP	-	-
Gilbert, Marcus	T	Ankle	DNP	FP	-	-
Hood, Ziggy	DE	Ankle	DNP	FP	-	-
Keisel, Brett	DE	Foot	DNP	DNP	-	-
McLendon, Steve	DT	Ankle	DNP	DNP	-	-
Polamalu, Troy	SS	Shoulder	DNP	DNP	-	-
Sanders, Emmanuel	WR	Foot	-	LP	-	-

Can Pittsburgh's Offensive Line Handle Cincinnati's Front Seven?

Ben Roethlisberger has been heating up in the second half of the season. Since opening the season with just eight touchdowns in his first seven games, Big Ben has tossed 16 in his last six, as pointed out by Chet of TheFakeFootball:

However, there's an Achilles heel to Pittsburgh's offense: The Steelers are horrible at protecting Roethlisberger, who's been sacked 39 times this season.

Cincinnati's defense comes into Week 15 with the league's No. 8-ranked defense, and the Bengals have edge-rushers who will pose a huge problem for the Steelers. Led by Carlos Dunlap (seven sacks) and Wallace Gilberry (6.5 sacks), the Bengals have racked up 36 sacks this year.

Making matters worse for the Steelers—a team that already struggled to gain yardage on the ground (77.4 yards per game)—Cincinnati's front seven is dominant against the run. The Bengals rank No. 5 in the NFL, allowing 98.2 yards per game.

Pittsburgh's offensive line must elevate its level of play because an average performance will ensure a victory for Cincinnati.

Prediction

Since losing two games (in overtime) in a row, the Bengals have been unstoppable, winning their next three by a combined score of 100-58.

Vontaze Burfict has been an unstoppable force for Cincinnati's defense. He'll ensure Pittsburgh's running game is stoned from the get-go, and his pass-rushing teammates will relentlessly hound Roethlisberger.

Andy Dalton still has a tendency to force balls into dangerous spots, as his 16 interceptions clearly illustrate, but he usually makes up for them with big touchdown passes when his team needs him the most. 

The Steelers must win this game, though, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Big Ben is a hardened warrior who's seen more battles than most, and he'll play superbly—in defeat. 

The Bengals are simply too good and too hot right now to be defeated.

Final Score

Bengals win 31-24.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78