The Pittsburgh Steelers will leave Week 7 first in the AFC North regardless of how Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals unfolds. Two TV analysts still think the Steelers can’t afford to lose.
Chris Broussard and Nick Wright each labeled the Week 7 bout a “must-win” game for the Steelers on FS1’s “First Things First.” Although the Steelers are 2.5 games ahead of the 2-4 Bengals, Broussard is more concerned about giving the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens any window to reverse their disastrous start.
“It is an absolute must-win for Aaron Rodgers,” Broussard declared on Wednesday. “Obviously they’re cooking, 4-1. They have a great opportunity. If they go 5-1, and you should stomp the Bengals, you have a four-game lead over the Ravens, who I expect to start coming back.”
Broussard argued that Pittsburgh’s first-place lead could quickly evaporate because of a difficult schedule. After Week 7, the Steelers play the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers before a rematch with the Bengals.
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The pundit also thinks head coach Mike Tomlin needs a statement win after calling out Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry for trading Joe Flacco to Cincinnati.
“You could lose all three of those games,” Broussard said. “You lose this to Cincinnati, your Ravens lead could be done. And they might not get a wild card out of this division … It’s a must-win for Aaron Rodgers, and also must-win for Mike Tomlin.”
Wright agreed with Broussard’s main point for a different reason. He’s more concerned about the Bengals catching up to the Steelers.
“We have seen Joe Flacco in the division, relatively recently, lead a team (Browns) with way less talent on offense than this one to 11 wins. So if the Steelers lose, it’s not that you have to worry about the Ravens coming back from the dead. It’s that the Bengals will be on their heels. That’s why it’s a must-win.”
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The “Thursday Night Football” clash starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
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