Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
8 p.m. Saturday, ESPN/ABC
If the Ravens don’t beat the Browns Saturday afternoon, the AFC North will come down to this game. Baltimore would be the division champion with a win Saturday or Pittsburgh loss, setting up a home playoff game in the Wild-Card round.
The Steelers had a two-game lead on the division a few weeks ago but have lost three straight while the Ravens have won three straight. The Bengals have dug themselves out of a 4-8 hole and still have a shot at the postseason, but they need the Chiefs, who are resting some key starters, to beat the Broncos and the Jets to defeat the Dolphins.
Even if the Ravens win in the earlier slate, the Steelers still have seeding to play for. If they lose and the Chargers beat the Raiders, that would mean a return trip to M&T Bank Stadium for the Steelers, who lost in Baltimore by 17 points on Dec. 21. By beating the Bengals, the Steelers would ensure a first-round road matchup against the Houston Texans, who have lost five of their last eight.
No matter what happens in the Ravens game, this will be a hard-fought battle with the Steelers looking for momentum going into the playoffs and the Bengals fighting to stay alive.