One week after handling the Bengals in Cincinnati, the Steelers will be rooting for their AFC North rivals.
“I’m a fan this weekend,” said defensive captain James Farrior told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’ve got to be pulling for the Bengals this weekend, don’t I? We need the Bengals to mix it up a little bit. We’re going to shake up this race, try to keep it close to the end and win it at the end.”
Yes, James. You should be a fan of the Bengals this weekend.
Pittsburgh needs Baltimore to lose as many times as possible the rest of the way. The Steelers need Baltimore to lose at least once even for a chance to win the AFC North.
You could argue that the Bengals are equally big threats, but you’d be wrong. Pittsburgh gets to face the Bengals again, so the Steelers can “control their destiny” by sweeping Cincinnati and getting the tiebreak over Marvin Lewis’ crew.
Farrior will be unhappy to learn, then, that Bengals receiver A.J. Green (knee) didn’t practice again Thursday. Green is starting to look shaky to suit up against the Ravens.
