Steelers Play Bengals 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN/ABC

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announ...n-with-vikings-lions-on-sunday-night-football

I know this is mentioned in other threads, but I thought I'd start one with the date, time, and networks for all to see quickly.

There are some positives to the scheduling for the Steelers. They will know if they still have a shot at the division because the Ravens play earlier in the day. They still have more rest than the Bengals due to the mini-bye. They also get at least a full week's rest before their first-round playoff game. If they can hold on to the No. 5 seed, it would give them one more day of rest than their opponents because the Texans play Sunday.

There is one negative. The other games that affect the Bengals don't happen until Sunday, so they will still have something to play for Saturday night. It does seem like the league put television concerns first, but of course, they weren't going to have the Bengals play after the Broncos and Dolphins. If either of those teams wins, the Bengals are out. The Broncos play the Chiefs, but Kansas City is likely to sit its starters with the top seed locked up. The Dolphins have a winnable game against the Jets.

Then again, if the Steelers can't win at home with two more days of rest, they don't deserve the No. 5 seed. The other game that affects the Steelers, the Chargers playing at the Raiders, is also Sunday, but I wouldn't count on Vegas pulling the upset to get Pittsburgh the No. 5 seed if the Black and Gold fail Saturday night.

 

Thanks for the accurate info.

As an aside, Tua has been ruled out for the Dolphins/Jets game - there's a very real chance the Jets beat them next week and the Bengals squeak into the playoffs, since Indy eliminated themselves yesterday.

 

Excellent

 

Thanks for the info. I hate 8pm games, but if there's a silver lining.... I can sleep in on Sunday morning and not have to go to work.

 

football festival Saturday-Ravens then the Steelers yahoo

 

Thanks.

 

I was hoping the Steelers would play before the Ravens game. Watching the Ravens win the Division before the Steelers take the field is going to be a let down for me. The Steelers may like it, as they may switch gears and start sitting their starters early.

Anyone know if this will be on ABC for a nationally televised OTA game, or on the Cable channel ESPN? Does this mean both.... (ESPN/ABC)

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
NFL announces Week 18 schedule for 2024 season with Vikings-Lions on 'Sunday Night Football'

 

Well that sucks, was hoping for an earlier game on CBS/Paramount+. Something I could still be finishing my morning coffee with. We're spoiled out here on the left coast.

 

Still envious of a 5:00 game. You can watch with a beer.

 

It would be a root beer but don't get ESPN/ABC with any of my streaming services. I've used up all of my free trials on Fubo - they're on to me. So it may just be smoke signals form JEH way back east. Maybe I could swing another 3 day trial with Hulu?

 

Would be great if the Rats had a loseable game.

 

I hope they don't rest their starters. They should really try for that fifth seed if they want to advance because the Texans may be the only playoff team playing as poorly as the Steelers. The Steelers also need to play better and get some positive momentum going into the playoffs. A win over a hungry Bengals team would be a nice confidence boost.

 

Bengals Ravens AFC Championship game would stink

 

They desperately need to win this game against the Bengals because of seeding. Lose and the Steelers limp into Baltimore on a 4 game losing streak. Win and the Steelers play at Houston in a very winnable playoff game.

 

What, you don't have faith in the Browns with Dorian Thompson Grey, or whatever the hell his name is?

Or is Winston at least back? God help me if I have to root for that turnover machine.

 

Wait, the Browns QB is.......Dorian Grey?

 

Yeah, and somewhere in Browns fans attics is a picture of them quickly aging while watching him play

 

LOL seems like the perfect time to sleep off that Hangover you are going to have from Saturday Night's Game.

 

They aren’t stupid they may lose their way into drafting a qb cause that’s the only way they get one with the Watson contract they have to pay for the next two years without a cap hit from hell.

 

He's fading a lot faster than Dorian Gray.

 

Win this game and beating Houston is a real possibility. Hoping for the best

 

They put the Steelers at 8pm because if they were at 4pm and lost - it would render the 8pm Baltimore game meaningless. Ratbirds would be locked into the 3 slot before the game. At least this way Baltimore has to play all out and not rest Lamar or the others.

 

Steelers are an average NFL team and get more prime time games than Chiefs, Lions, Bills, Eagles and Vikings who have impressive records. It makes no sense. Cowboys are guilty of this also.

 

Suppose to be brutally cold Saturday night. I hope Steelers run it down Cincy's throat
and keep Burrow and company on sidelines