Some NFL rivalries are front and center, while teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals despise one another, but what is the state of their rivalry in 2017?
As the 2017 NFL season approaches, we once again are looking at the status of the best rivalries around the league. Things can change in an instant for a rivalry. Some remain alive and thriving for decades, while other fizzle out at times for a simple reason: Both sides have to win for it to be a rivalry.
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Next up for debate is the AFC North blood feud between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. This rivalry has bad blood all over it, but how strong is the hatred today?
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, discuss NFL Rivalries 2017 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This is another rivalry involving the Pittsburgh Steelers; now with the Cincinnati Bengals. Though Pittsburgh also dukes it out with Baltimore (among others), the Cincinnati matchup may be the most grueling.
Let’s hit up the rivalry questionnaire.
1. Is this still a rivalry?
Todd Salem: Sort of. It depends on your definition. It actually isn’t really a rivalry at all on paper. The rivalry exists because of bad blood, not because of the competition on the field. The Steelers have dominated this matchup throughout its history. Even recently, once the Bengals got good again, Pittsburgh has won 12 of the last 15 games between the two. The nastiness on the field is actually what keeps this rivalry alive. Otherwise, Pittsburgh probably wouldn’t give a hoot about Cincinnati.
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Dan Salem: This is a rivalry because Pittsburgh and Cincinnati play one another twice a year. It’s a rivalry because both teams have been good over the last five seasons. But something is still missing. There is bad blood, yet in terms of league-wide appeal, this rivalry falls flat.
2. Which side of this pairing would you rather be on?
Todd Salem: The answer is Pittsburgh, but it’s closer than one would think. Within the rivalry, the Steelers obviously have a huge edge recently and historically. Overall, though, these two teams are pretty darn close. Pittsburgh took advantage of a down year for Cincinnati in 2016, but many expect a bounce-back from the Bengals this season, myself included.
Dan Salem: The Steelers have the history and the more exciting team this season. Say what you will, but I’ve never been able to root for the Bengals. Maybe I’m just not a fan of the color orange, but the team rubs me the wrong way. I don’t particularly like them, but Pittsburgh is NFL royalty. I’m on the Steelers side of this rivalry.
3. What should we expect from this matchup in 2017?
Todd Salem: It’s the boring answer, but I expect a split of the season series. As I said, I expect the Bengals to be better this season. They will also be hosting the Steelers when the latter is in the midst of a very difficult five-week stretch near the end of the year. They also play Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh after their own bye week, giving them a legitimate chance of stealing the road matchup to begin with.
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Dan Salem: I don’t believe the Bengals bounce back as far as pundits expect, mainly because their division competition in Pittsburgh and Baltimore are still a few steps ahead. I see the Steelers sweeping this season series, likely ruining Cincinnati’s chances at a playoff spot this year.