Two quarterbacks closing in on an age when they can receive social security checks square off tonight in Cincinnati when the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two teams play out of the AFC North Division, a four-team grouping that came into the season expecting to have a tight race between Super Bowl hopefuls and is currently led by the Steelers who are the only team in the division not carrying a losing record.
The Bengals, who have lost four straight games since Joe Burrow went down with an injury scheduled to keep him sidelined until December, are in second place with a 2 and 4 mark. They are ahead of two teams with only one win each, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers have a 2½ game bulge atop the AFC North with a 4 and 1 season record.
Tonight, they are favored to extend that lead behind a rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. His position opponent tonight, Joe Flacco, has played for every team in this division except the Steelers. He started his career, and won a Super Bowl, with the Ravens. Two years ago he led the Browns into the playoffs, and two weeks ago he was traded to the Bengals after they lost three straight games with their backup to Burrow, Jake Browning, playing like he forgot what color uniforms his teammates were wearing.
The Bengals four straight losses have been a combination of horrible defense and an offense that has lost all rhythm since Burrow’s departure.
Still, despite Pittsburgh’s single loss this season, that suffered at home against the Seattle Seahawks in second week action, the Steelers won/loss record appears to be a notch ahead of their actual talent level. They have won some close ones, notably edging the winless New York Jets on opening day by two points, 34-32, and just getting by the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin two weeks ago, 24-21. Last week, after their International Game in Ireland, the Steelers had their bye week.
So, what do we get tonight?