The Pittsburgh Steelers have been enjoying a much-needed break this week after a grueling past ten weeks. The Steeler have a bye week in Week 11, and will return to action two Sundays from now in Kansas City when they face the Chiefs. From the sound of it, the Steelers might gather to watch a key AFC North matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore this Sunday. In case you were wondering, the Steelers are hoping for a Bengals win.
↵↵↵"I'm a fan this weekend," said defensive captain James Farrior. "I've got to be pulling for the Bengals this weekend, don't I? We need the Bengals to mix it up a little bit. We're going to shake up this race, try to keep it close to the end and win it at the end."
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At 7-3, the Steelers currently are a half game clear of the Ravens and Bengals, who both sport 6-3 records heading into Week 11. But by virtue of the Steelers' two losses to Baltimore this season, the Steelers would need to finish at least one game clear of the Ravens to win the division and a possible first round bye in the playoffs. Having already beaten the Bengals once, Pittsburgh could conceivably finish with the same record as Cincinnati and still win the division.
↵For as inconsistent as the Bengals have been in recent years, they have fared well against Baltimore. Marvin Lewis' has won three of four against the Ravens dating back to 2009. Hopefully they can make it five of six, or at least four of six by the end of the 2011 season. Doing so would go a long way towards helping Pittsburgh dig its way out of a 0-2 hole in divisional games to start the year, and capture the AFC North crown for the fourth time in the five years Mike Tomlin's been head coach.