The
Bengals can secure a playoff berth for the second consecutive season,
and can rise as high as the first AFC Wild Card spot. But 8-7 Cincinnati
must defeat division rival Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium, while
also getting help in one of two forms: The N.Y. Jets must lose to
Oakland, or Denver must lose to San Francisco while Kansas City wins
over Jacksonville.
As many complicated scenarios abound, the only real focus for Bengals
coach Marvin Lewis and his players will be on beating Pittsburgh.
"It's
the only thing we can control," Lewis said. "The rest
will take care of itself."
The 7-8 Steelers
were eliminated from playoff contention last week. The Bengals defeated
Pittsburgh 28-20 in September at Heinz Field. But Cincinnati has
lost five straight at home against Pittsburgh four in the regular
season and one in the postseason. And the Bengals have not swept
a season series with the Steelers since 1998.
TELEVISION:
Sunday's game is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be televised
live on CBS.
RADIO: The game
can also be heard locally on Clear Channel flagship radio stations
WLW-AM (700), 1530 Homer The Sports Animal (WCKY-AM) and 92.5 The
Fox (WOFX-FM). |

Carson Palmer will
look to become the first 4000-yard passer in Bengals history Sunday
against Pittsburgh. |