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

The Cincinnati Bengals square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field Sunday in a battle for the AFC North title.

If Pittsburgh is victorious, the franchise will win the North outright, and Cincinnati would enter the playoffs via a wild-card spot. On the other hand, the Bengals have the chance to lock up the division with a win Sunday and could secure a first-round bye with a victory and a loss or tie from the Denver Broncos.

Here is all the vital viewing information for Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh and a breakdown of the divisional matchup.

Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When: Sunday, December 28

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Spread: Pittsburgh -3.5 (via Odds Shark) 

Cincinnati Injuries (via CBSSports.com)

A.J. Green, WR, Questionable (Biceps)

Emmanuel Lamur, LB, Questionable (Hamstring)

A.J. McCarron, QB, Questionable (Illness)

James Wright, WR, Questionable (Knee)

Pittsburgh Injuries (via CBSSports.com)

Vince Williams, LB, Questionable (Ankle)

Troy Polamalu, S, Questionable (Knee)

Matt Spaeth, TE, Questionable (Elbow)

Ike Taylor, CB, Questionable (Shoulder, forearm)

Ross Ventrone, CB, Questionable (Groin)

Breaking Down the Matchup

There are many ways the playoffs could shake out, but there are few games on Sunday’s packed schedule with as much intrigue surrounding them as the battle between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

There is a true animosity between the two franchises due to the division rivalry, and that will be on full display this weekend. With both teams fighting for the same prize, the result should be exactly what football fans want from a regular-season finale.

When the NFL backloaded the schedule with divisional matchups, this was the situation the league was hoping to produce.

As the home team, Pittsburgh has the distinct edge in this matchup on paper. The offensive unit is second in passing yards per game (300.5 yards per game) and ranked 13th rushing the ball (114.9 yards per game).

Led by offensive stars like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers offense has the ability to rack up big points when playing a susceptible defense.

Cincinnati’s defense can be beaten, too. With a pass defense ranked 16th in the league (allowing 238.1 yards per game) and 122.1 yards on the ground per game (23rd overall), Pittsburgh has a chance to steal the victory.

The Bengals won’t go down without a fight, though. Led by the inconsistent play of quarterback Andy Dalton, Cincinnati’s pass offense hasn’t been overly impressive. However, with an elite rushing combination of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, the Bengals have racked up the fifth-best running game (135.4 yards per game.)

When asked about making the playoffs, Hill told The Associated Press (via ESPN.com): “I know a lot of guys are never fortunate enough to make the playoffs. In college, I wanted to play for a national championship but never got the chance.”

While Pittsburgh has been stingy against the run (sixth in the NFL), the team hasn’t faced a two-headed monster as dangerous as Hill and Bernard. Add in the fact that Cincinnati is coming off a huge win over Denver, and the team will be carrying momentum into the Steel City.

The Steelers may be the home team, but in this fierce battle, expect the Bengals to avenge their loss to Pittsburgh from earlier in the season and capture the AFC North.

Predicted Winner: Cincinnati 33, Pittsburgh 30

*Stats via NFL.com.