To The Cincinnati Bengals, Steelers Week Is Business As Usual


Week 8 is upon the NFL universe and there are tons of great games that will be played. But this particular Sunday will be different. It happens twice a year. There’s nothing in Cincinnati like it. That is, unless you like Skyline Chili, Goetta or Graeter’s Ice Cream. Steelers Week is gripping the Queen City and the fans are going nuts.

To The Cincinnati Bengals
[Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images]
The Bengals and Steelers have bad blood, there’s no doubt about it. Since the Bengals were founded in 1968, they have played the Steelers more than any other franchise. But the intense rivalry isn’t about the number of games played. As the players put it, there is a sense of pride that comes from beating the six-time Super Bowl champions.

This year, the Bengals were predicted by many experts to win the AFC North. Though the Bengals were crowned as the preseason divisional champs, it was only by a game over the arch rival Steelers.

There was concern that this year’s Bengals and Steelers matchup would be underwhelming. Ben Roethlisberger went down in Week 3 with a sprained MCL. Although CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora confirmed the injury would keep Big Ben out 4-6 weeks, the Bengals undoubtedly planned on seeing him at Heinz Field.

The trash-talking and bragging rights that comes along with Steelers Week is also a Bengals tradition. Bengals fans have often had fights with friends and family members when it comes down to backing the men in stripes.

But lately, the Bengals have taken a business approach to the game. Steelers Week used to consume most of the player’s minds and cause lack of focus towards the games before. But this current crop of Bengals have been able to put the game in perspective. They aren’t running around in overdrive and looking like they drank a whole pot of coffee.

“As we’ve become better, the (perception) started rubbing guys the wrong way,” Andrew Whitworth said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer, “We see them as a good team we have to beat, not a measuring stick for how good we are. We’re just trying to collect wins and get into the playoffs.”

“The whole environment changed that week,” recalled Whitworth, a rookie in 2006, “You had to be superheroes to win. At least that’s how it felt.”

Domata Peko was another Bengals rookie in 2006. He sees the change in how the players have been preparing for the game.

“When I first got here, Pittsburgh was going to measure how good our team was. Not now. Now, we’re going up there confident as h***. Ready to show them it’s our division. People saying it’s Steelers Week, we gotta do this or that. Nah, man. We just gotta do our jobs.”

To The Cincinnati Bengals
[(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images]

The Bengals players are ready to do their job. The fans are ready for a win. In essence, Steelers Week is the same as it’s always been in Cincinnati. The demand for a win is at a fever pitch.

There have been rumors that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be healthy enough to face the Bengals. But the players and coach Marvin Lewis aren’t buying it.

“The Ben I know, I have no doubt in my mind he’ll be out there,” said Bengals linebacker Chris Carter, a former Steeler who knows Roethlisberger. “I’ve seen him come back from some nasty injuries and play at a very high level.”

This is a game where records can be tossed aside. Even though the Steelers have lost to Baltimore and Kansas City, the Steelers have played their last four games without Roethlisberger. The Bengals are looking at the game in a business as usual manner. To stay undefeated, they’ll have to give the business to the Steelers.

As Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry said, “I’m not anyone’s little brother.”

[Feature Photo by Justin K. Aller / Getty Images]

Share this article: To The Cincinnati Bengals, Steelers Week Is Business As Usual
More from Inquisitr