Bengals vs. Steelers: Full Pittsburgh Game Preview

This has the makings to be the game of the week in the NFL, as two AFC North rivals square off in a game with significant implications.

Cincinnati (6-0) at Pittsburgh (4-3).

Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will likely return to the starting lineup to take on a daunting Bengals front seven. Andy Dalton faces another true test, this time on the road in prime time on NBC.

Oh, man. This one is going to be terrific.

The Bengals ride into town on a high note, sitting at 6-0 coming off a bye that allowed them to get needed rest and prepare for the Steelers. Pittsburgh should get Roethlisberger back this week, allowing the offense to return to normalcy under the two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback.

Along with Roethlisberger making his anticipated return, cornerback Brandon Boykin should see his long-awaited debut at cornerback for more than a few plays at a time. Although he won't start, Boykin will get a real shot to make an impact in this one with injuries at cornerback forcing him onto the field.

Outside of two intriguing storylines with the Steelers' personnel in this one, the matchup in terms of X's and O's is quite even, which should help this game be entertaining throughout.

This will be the first legitimate passing game that the Bengals have faced outside of Weeks 1 and 2 against Oakland and San Diego.

With that said, this could force the Bengals to play in a shootout-style game. Would Dalton be able to pull off the win for Cincinnati on the road if that scenario transpires?

We shall see.

Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Week 7 Steelers Recap

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With Landry Jones making his NFL debut as a starter, the Steelers offense sputtered early on. This allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to methodically move the football down the field, picking apart the Steelers defense with a dink-and-dunk passing game and opportunistic running game.

Alex Smith did just enough to move the ball down the field while also negating the Steelers' productive pass rush by consistently getting the ball out quickly to Chris Conley, Albert Wilson and Travis Kelce.

Defensively, the Steelers couldn't get off the field often enough against Kansas City, allowing the Chiefs to drive into field-goal range far too often before completely breaking down on the Chiefs' final drive of the game.A one-yard Charcandrick West touchdown run sealed the game.

As a unit, the Steelers defense allowed 377 total yards (239 passing yards) to the Chiefs. West went over 100 rushing yards thanks to his 36-yard burst late in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Le'Veon Bell had tons of success against the 11th-best run defense in the NFL, racking up 121 yards on 17 carries. Antonio Brown returned to form for Pittsburgh, hauling in six passes for 124 yards, and Martavis Bryant hauled in his 11th touchdown in 12 career games with the Steelers.

With the loss, the Steelers dropped to 4-3 with a big showdown looming in Week 8 against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

Latest News and Notes for Pittsburgh

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Gay, Williams Fined by NFL

Wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Steelers cornerback William Gay was fined by the NFL for a uniform violation, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly.

This wasn't the first time that Gay has worn purple cleats, per Kaboly. He wore purple cleats twice this year and once last year, yet this is the first time he's been fined in his career.

Along with Gay, running back DeAngelo Williams was fined the same amount as Gay ($5,797) for wearing eye black with "Find the Cure" on the strips—much like Cam Heyward did when he honored his late father, Craig Heyward, with "Iron Head."

This is just another case of the NFL being incredibly petty and ridiculous when it comes to uniform issues. Players should be allowed to honor loved ones with eye black or show support for causes through the color of cleats.

Wake up, NFL.

Chris Hubbard Returns to OT

With Kelvin Beachum out for the year, Mike Adams' return to the team still in flux and depth so perilously thin, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard has started to get work at offensive tackle, per Kaboly.

Hubbard, who was a tackle in college at UAB, hasn't played the position in the NFL, but the Steelers' hand has been forced due to injuries.

The Steelers could still make a move to bring in a veteran backup tackle, but Hubbard has upside as a reserve lineman for the Steelers. 

Latest Injury News for Pittsburgh

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Nothing will top the potential return of Ben Roethlisberger to the starting lineup.

Going back to a star quarterback like Roethlisberger over the likes of Landry Jones and Mike Vick is a huge boost for the Steelers offense, which has struggled to put up points like it did last season.

A healthy Roethlisberger, the dynamic Le'Veon Bell and a nearly uncoverable Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant have the future of the offense in 2015 looking promising heading into Week 8.

However, the Steelers are still a bit banged up across the board, according to the team website.

Steelers

Along with Roethlisberger (knee) returning to practice as a full participant, Vick (hamstring) and Will Allen (ankle) returned as limited participants on Wednesday.

Vick won't see the field again as a Steeler, considering he's listed as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. Allen returning to practice—albeit in a limited fashion—will help the Steelers secondary, which has had Robert Golden getting a majority of the snaps at safety.

Linebacker Terence Garvin (knee), cornerback William Gay (shoulder) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt (knee), who are all dealing with injuries, did not practice on Wednesday. Tight ends Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth as well as James Harrison were given the day off as veterans.

Bengals

Coming into the Week 8 showdown, the Bengals are largely healthy at this point in the season.

Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was the only Bengals player who did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but it was not for an injury-related reason.

Cornerback Leon Hall (back) was a limited participant.

Key Matchups

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Steelers Offensive Tackles vs. Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson

As previously covered, the Steelers are perilously thin at offensive tackle, so that plays right into the hands of Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, who have been major strengths of the Bengals defense through seven weeks of the 2015 regular season.

Dunlap has 6.5 sacks on the season, while Johnson has bounced back in a big way following his one-year stint in Tampa Bay.

For the Steelers offense to have its best shot at a successful day against a strong Bengals defense, Pittsburgh's tackles—Marcus Gilbert and Alejandro Villanueva—must put up strong showings against two good edge-rushers.

Antwon Blake and Ross Cockrell vs. AJ Green

Talk about downright scary.

Green is one of the best receivers in football year after year. The same can't be said for Blake and Cockrell at cornerback.

The Bengals' game plan through the air will likely be simple: Get Green the ball. He'll have favorable matchups regardless of where he lines up on Sunday.

Where art thou, Ike Taylor?

X-Factor

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Cody Wallace

Wallace isn't a great pass-blocker for Pittsburgh, but he's a ferocious run-blocker.

Cincinnati is very strong up the middle, but it can be run on, allowing 109 yards per game (16th in the NFL).

If Wallace can get a push in the middle of the line against Geno Atkins, Domata Peko and middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, the Steelers' running game could flourish on Sunday night, taking some pressure off Ben Roethlisberger.

Really, it all starts with Wallace. He needs to set the tone in the running game early on.

Prediction: Bengals 31, Steelers 30

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The Bengals have never played at as high a level as they have this year.

This is a different team that looks capable of making a deep run come January.

Andy Dalton is in early MVP consideration, while Giovani Bernard has overtaken Jeremy Hill in the backfield, which has done nothing but add another explosive dimension to the Bengals offense.

That doesn't even consider Tyler Eifert, who appears to be on par with Rob Gronkowski at tight end.

Cincinnati's offense is scary, but so is Pittsburgh's. With Ben Roethlisberger likely returning to the starting lineup, expect plenty of fireworks on national television.

If you're a fan of defensive battles, don't watch.

Bengals 31, Steelers 30