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3 Steelers X-factors for Sunday match-up against Cincinnati

By Mike Vannucci

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 02: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs into the end zone for a 10 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 02: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs into the end zone for a 10 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers chances to reach the playoffs took a major blow on Thursday night after losing to a 3-6 Cleveland Browns team. However, statistically, their playoff chances have yet to hit zero.

According to the NY Times, the Steelers still have a 36% chance to make the playoffs; in order to do so, they must first win on Sunday.

They head to Cincinnati to play the winless Bengals, in which seems like every game is a super bowl for them; attempting to avoid being the third team to go 0-16 in NFL history. The Bengals rank near the bottom in every major statistical category, setting up for a big bounce-back game after an embarrassing showing on national television last week.

Defensively, the Bengals currently rank 32nd in yards allowed per game (425), 32nd in rushing yards allowed per game (167), 24th in passing yards allowed per game (258), and 28th in points allowed per game (27.6)

When you pair that porous defense with a scoring offense that is ranked 30th in the NFL (14.7 points per game), it sets the Steelers up for a big bounce-back game after an embarrassing showing on national television last week.

Now that you’re familiar with the Bengals, and their struggles as of late, let’s take a look at the three Steelers players whose role can have the most impact on the outcome of this crucial AFC North match-up.

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