The Cincinnati Bengals finish the season in primetime in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an 8 pm. ET slot on a Saturday night.
Might the flexed schedule see the Steelers actually help the Bengals’ slim playoff chances?
It’s highly unlikely, but consider this scheduling quirk — the Cleveland Browns play the Baltimore Ravens in the other Saturday slot at 4:30 p.m. ET. If the Ravens win that game, the AFC North gets wrapped up.
Would the Steelers then rest starters against the Bengals?
Maybe not, as the Steelers could still win and get some help to secure the fifth seed in the playoffs, shifting around their preferred opening-round opponent. But it’s a little shocking the NFL took this risk for its big Saturday night primetime game, rather than run both games at the same time.
Regardless, the Bengals need to win, then get some help on Saturday. The Sunday slate will mean everything — or nothing — for Bengals fans. Cincinnati needs the Dolphins to lose to the Jets (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET) and the Broncos lose to the Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET).
