The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their final game of the season. In a pivotal showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Tomlin's team will look for a Week 18 with playoff seeding on the line. The Bengals aren't out of the race just yet either.
With the Ravens heavy favorites over the Browns today, the Steelers will likely claim the fifth or sixth seed—depending on the outcome of their contest tonight. But there's a massive difference between the two.
With a Ravens win and a Steelers win, Mike Tomlin's team could play an ice-cold Texans team. However, a Ravens win and a Steelers loss means Pittsburgh will have to travel to Baltimore in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Bengals need a win against the Steelers and losses from the Dolphins and Broncos tomorrow to enter the postseason as a Wild Card seed. There's a lot riding on this game, and the NFL gifted these teams a primetime matchup for Week 18.
Fortunately, this contest will be called by a top-notch crew and one of the most fair head officials in the league this season.
Announcers for Steelers vs. Bengals
- Network: ABC/ESPN
- Play-by-play: Joe Buck
- Color commentary: Troy Aikman
- Sideline reporter: Lisa Salters
Historically, the Steelers haven't seen much of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling their games. This dynamic duo used to be FOX's top-billed team and would routinely call NFC games. These days, Aikman and Buck conduct ESPN's Monday Night Football.
Though this is a Saturday evening contest, the Steelers will be getting the MNF crew for this game. Buck will be calling the play-by-play with Aikman as the color analyst and the talented Lisa Salters as the sideline reporter. Coverage will begin at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Referees for Steelers vs. Bengals
Head Referee (Crew Chief)
The Steelers have seen some lopsided and egregiously officiated contests this season, but there's hope that this won't be one of them. In Week 18, the Steelers and Bengals will have John Hussey's crew calling the game.
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Statistically, Hussey greatly favored the home team last season, but not this year. Entering Week 18, Hussey's crew has called 83 penalties on the home team and 85 on the away team—a nearly even split.
What's more encouraging is that this isn't a flag-happy crew. Hussey has fewer penalties called and penalty yards per game than the NFL average, and the home team has won 53.13 percent of the games his crew has called this season—which is an encouraging sign for the Steelers, who are an aggressive team playing at home.
Full Officiating Crew:
Referee: John Hussey
Umpire: Tony Michalek
Down Judge: Max Causey
Line Judge: Carl Johnson
Field Judge: Anthony Flemming
Side Judge: Allen Baynes
Back Judge: Matt Edwards
Replay Official: Andrew Lambert
Replay Assistant: Sebrina Brunson