Cincinnati Bengals face toughest test of 2015 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals have had a fantastic start to the 2015 season, but in Week 8, they will face their toughest task of the season so far against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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In 2015, the Bengals have started the season with a 6-0 record, as this team finally has the feel of one that is going to make some noise come playoff time. The Bengals were able to defeat the defending NFC Champions at home, as a great come-from-behind win really solidified that the Bengals are getting over their ‘big game’ problems.

The 6-0 record for the Bengals has given them a comfortable lead in the NFC North, as the Baltimore Ravens have shockingly had an awful season, and the Cleveland Browns are pretty much what we expected them to be. The one team that is still in the running for challenging the Bengals for the AFC North is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It has been a season full of obstacles for the Steelers, which started with Le’Veon Bell serving a two-game suspension to start the season. In Bell’s return against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3, the Steelers then lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a knee injury. Michael Vick was able to come in relief for Roethlisberger against the Rams and still hold onto the win.

Vick would become the starter for Steelers with Roethlisberger injured on a short week with a Thursday Night Football game against the Ravens. Vick did a fairly good job in the game, but two missed field goals cost the Steelers a win against their division rival.

The Steelers and Vick were able to rebound from their loss to the Ravens with a thrilling win on the road against the San Diego Chargers. In Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, the Steelers would have another difficult obstacle to overcome, as Vick was injured in the game. The Cardinals are one of the best teams in the NFC, but third-string quarterback Landry Jones was able to lead the Steelers to a win.

Jones wasn’t able to keep up his magic against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, but the Steelers were able to survive four games without Roethlisberger.

In Week 8 against the Bengals, Roethlisberger is expected to be back under center, and that makes this game extremely difficult for the Bengals. The three-headed monster of Roethlisberger, Bell, and Antonio Brown is a nightmare to try and stop, as when the three are healthy, they are one of the best offenses in the NFL.

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The Bengals have been proving that they are one of the best teams in the NFL, but a healthy Steelers team can also be one of the best in the NFL. One of the biggest things for the Bengals this season has been quarterback Andy Dalton limiting his mistakes and in a close game like this, a turnover could be the difference.

If the Bengals are able to win on the road in Pittsburgh against Roethlisberger and company, it will likely lock up the AFC North and prove that they are a team to be feared.