NFL Power Rankings: Why Bengals vs. Steelers Will Severely Impact Both Squads

The time has finally arrived for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Despite currently holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the world still doesn’t buy the Bengals.

That can all change this week against divisional rival Pittsburgh. The Steelers are coming off a stunning last-second loss to Baltimore and will drop to 0-3 in the AFC North with a loss on Sunday.

This is a huge swing game for both teams. If Cincy wins, it proves to the critics it is in fact for real. It buries the Steelers in the division and would only need to win three of its final seven games to notch 10 victories.

The Bengals have just won five in a row for the first time since 1988, yet are still looked at as a pretender.

At 6-2, people still can’t get over the fact they are winning with a rookie at QB. Maybe they haven’t watched Andy Dalton yet.

The “Red Rifle” has made the transition to the NFL seamlessly and has already registered four road wins. Cam Newton has zero. That’s largely due to his calming demeanor. He may make a mistake once, but he never panics. Rarely will you ever see him make the same mistake twice, as evident by his 12 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

This guy is not going to be phased by the Pittsburgh defense. A win and Cincinnati is officially a top-eight team and a Super Bowl contender.

If Pittsburgh wins, it is back in the hunt for the AFC North, picks up a huge road win in the division and casts a serious sense of doubt in the young Bengals locker room—with a swift kick down the power rankings.

The Steelers have a bye after this game, and really could use it. The injuries are starting to pile up and it’s taxing the entire team. The defense isn’t fresh in the second half and is allowing teams to make second-half comebacks.

A win keeps them in the top eight of the power rankings while reminding the NFL world they are still more than capable of making another run to the Super Bowl.

A loss and they are now behind the eight ball in even making the postseason.

Huge ramifications are on the line Sunday in Cincinnati. 

Eric Ball's Week 10 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New York Giants
5. New England Patriots
6. Detroit Lions
7. New Orleans Saints
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Houston Texans
11. Atlanta Falcons
12. Chicago Bears
13. Philadelphia Eagles
14. New York Jets
15. Buffalo Bills
16. Oakland Raiders
17. Dallas Cowboys
18. San Diego Chargers
19. Tennessee Titans
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Washington Redskins
23. Minnesota Vikings
24.  Carolina Panthers
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Arizona Cardinals
27. St. Louis Rams
28. Denver Broncos
29. Seattle Seahawks
30. Cleveland Browns
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Indianapolis Colts