The former Steeler understands how important this game is for both teams.
The Cincinnati Bengals are set to close out the regular season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite a disastrous season, the Bengals still have a chance to make the postseason with a win over the Steelers and help from the Chiefs and Jets.
Before the team can turn their focus to postseason play hopes, they must take care of business in a hostile environment against a division rival.
The Bengals fell to the Steelers earlier in the season but have since found their swagger, rattling off four straight wins to get back to .500 (8-8) on the season.
As this massive divisional matchup approaches on Saturday night, in primetime, former Steelers star and current Bengals DB Mike Hilton had plenty to say.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” Hilton said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “One team is in the playoffs. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so it’s going to be fireworks. If I know (Tomlin), he’s talking to the guys right now and getting them fired up before Saturday. We expect to be challenged. All their guys are going to be going. They’re on a three-game skid right now. I’m sure they want to catch some momentum in the playoffs.”
The Steelers are looking to snap their three-game losing streak, and that is the reason why Tomlin is not resting his starters heading into postseason play.
On the other side, the Bengals can’t lose. If Cincinnati drops the regular season finale, any hope of the NFL Playoffs will slam shut.
