The Cincinnati Bengals don’t sound like a team about to play Pittsburgh Steelers backups in the season finale if things go their way on the Week 18 schedule.
Just ask Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin’s Steelers could be locked out of an AFC North title by kickoff against the Bengals next Saturday based on the outcome of the Cleveland-Baltimore game earlier that day.
Asked about it to start the week, Tomlin doesn’t sound like a guy who would rest starters against the Bengals, either way.
“I haven’t pondered that at all, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “That might be a thought for later in the week. But as I mentioned, I think it’s significant how we go into this tournament. So, I doubt that I’ll be in that mentality that you mentioned.”
Things could change over the course of the week, sure. But a big part of this approach from Tomlin undoubtedly stems from the fact his Steelers have lost three in a row — and none of them close (27-13, 34-17, 29-10).
Going out and finishing the season with a fourth straight loss, the last at the hands of a Bengals team possibly missing the playoffs would be a tough thing before an elimination playoff game.
The Bengals themselves probably don’t care either way. They need to beat the Steelers before they can worry about the Dolphins and Broncos losing on Sunday.
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