For as high as the stakes are in this game, these two teams are in starkly different spots coming in. Joe Burrow is playing the best football of his career, and it’s earned the Bengals four straight wins and a chance to grab the last wild-card spot with a win here and some help on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Steelers, who have already clinched a playoff spot, are on a three-game losing streak but have a chance to win the AFC North with a win here and a Ravens loss earlier Saturday.
In Week 13, these teams put on a laser show in one of the highest-scoring games of the year and the Steelers came out on top. Burrow has been near perfect since. He seems primed and motivated to get his team in the playoffs, but has a stout Steelers defense in his path.
Burrow leads the NFL in completions (248) and yards (2,234) on passes under 2.5 seconds this season, while also tied for the lead with Baker Mayfield in touchdowns (20) on such passes. Additionally, Burrow has recorded the ninth-highest passer rating (109.0) and fifth-best passing EPA (+55.7) on quick passes this season.
The Steelers defense has allowed the most yards (1,810) and passing EPA (+65.5) on quick passes this season.
