With the AFC North and the No. 3 seed on the line Sunday night at Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be going at it without a couple veterans that opened the season as starters on the Steelers defense.
For the second consecutive game, both safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Ike Taylor are both out.
In addition to Taylor and Polamalu, quarterback Landry Jones, wide receiver Justin Brown, defensive end Clinton Geathers, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard and tight end Michael Palmer are also inactive.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, inactive for tonight are: quarterback A.J. McCarron, cornerback Terrance Newman, center T.J. Johnson, offensive tackle Tanner Hawkinson, defensive lineman Devon Still and wide receivers James Wright and Greg Little.
For the Steelers, Brice McCain is expected to take Taylor’s sport in the starting lineup and Will Allen is expected to start for Polamalu.
As for the Bengals, Dre Kirkpatrick will start for Newman.
Jeremy Hill is also once again listed as the starting tailback over Giovani Bernard.
The winner gets the division crown and the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, which comes with a home game, while the loser will be the No. 5 seed and play next week on the road.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
