The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals face off this Sunday for the second and final time this season after an unbelievable Week 1 game that featured multiple clutch time lead changes and an eventual Steelers win in overtime. The AFC North rivals don't share much love or affinity with each other, as these two teams will do as much as they can to prepare and win.
Steelers' Chase Claypool makes an incredible catch in the RedZone versus the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Bengals, being 0-3 in division play this season, need this win in Pittsburgh Sunday. And according to this report from the team's website, they are trying as hard as possible to prepare their players for a cold and rowdy environment.
Cincinnati has reportedly been blaring the iconic Steelers fourth-quarter song, "Renegade" throughout their team meetings and in the locker room this whole week. The Bengals know it's Steelers week, especially star safety Jessie Bates.
"All you hear is the Renegade song they play in the fourth quarter," Bates said. "All you hear is that blaring in our team meeting. So we know what week it is."
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) breaks a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 26, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo Credit: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This is certainly not the first time that an opposing team, nevertheless an opposing AFC North team, has used Renegade throughout their practice week to prepare for a raucous Pittsburgh crowd, but talk about a tactic to really get the hate flowing. Steelers fans get a sort of itch or feeling when in the crowd at Acrisure Stadium when the fourth quarter starts to roll around. People start to become excited because of the anticipation of the song and the buzz that it creates across the 70,000 Pittsburghers in attendance.
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 13: A Pittsburgh Steelers fan cheers during the national football league game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 13, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo Credit: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Steelers Could Push Themselves Into Playoff Talk With Win
The Steelers still believe in themselves and are shockingly still alive and in contention with a win at home this weekend, so do not put it past this new and improved team led by the return of T.J. Watt to compete with Cincinnati and potentially win. This is not the same Steelers team as Weeks 2-8.
The Bengals are still without their star wideout Ja'Marr Chase and will be without their first-round pick Dax Hill. Cornerback Tre Flowers and RB Chris Evans were both limited in practice as of Thursday. Minkah Fitzpatrick had an appendectomy performed last weekend but has been a full participant in practice this week, so he should be good to suit up. Fitzpatrick was a game-wrecker in the Week 1 matchup between these teams, with a pick-six and game-saving field goal block to go along with 14 tackles.
Ahkello Witherspoon did not practice and has been ruled out again this week. DeMarvin Leal returned to practice on Wednesday but still remains on the Injured Reserve. Everyone else who has been on the injury report this week (RB Najee Harris (Knee), LB Marcus Allen (Illness), OL Trent Scott (Back), LB Devin Bush (Knee), OL Jesse Davis (Knee), DT Larry Ogunjobi (Knee), and OL Kevin Dotson (Hip)) were all full participants Friday.
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Do you think opposing teams blaring Renegade in team meetings and practice the week before playing the Steelers helps them better prepare for the environment at Acrisure Stadium? Do you think it makes the opposing team hate the Steelers more? Do you think the Steelers are still in contention for the playoffs with a win this weekend against Cincinnati? Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
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