Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Cincinnati Bengals took the Spanish capital by storm on Sunday as they convincingly beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 in Madrid. Joe Burrow and the offense balled out, with Ja'Marr Chase showing yet again why he is the best wideout in the game.
Chase caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown, the majority of which came in a dominant first half. It left the Bengals 6-2 heading into Week 10 and in a prime position in the playoff race in the AFC.
Speaking of Week 10, it is perhaps the biggest game of the season so far, as it's Bengals vs Steelers on Sunday Night Football at Paycor Stadium. First vs second in the AFC North, Rodgers vs Burrow...can you tell I'm excited?
If the Bengals were to win, they'd take control of the AFC North, with the Steelers also sitting at 6-2 as well. Furthermore, with the Ravens without Lamar Jackson and the Browns losing two in a row, it looks like a two-horse race in the division.
Mike Tomlin believes Joe Burrow has a big problem ahead of the Steelers game
If anyone is qualified to talk Pittsburgh, it is former head coach Mike Tomlin. However, if anyone is to be Steelers-biased, going against the Bengals despite what the stats say, it is also Tomlin.
Ahead of the huge Sunday night game at Paycor, Tomlin chimed in on what he thinks will be the key matchups in the game. Speaking on NBC, Tomlin said: "It’s AFC North football, and you know I love that. You can airmail me right to Cincinnati."
"It’s good on good. Joe Burrow and that Cincinnati passing game vs TJ Watt and the 4-man rush of the Steelers….bring your popcorn and get your cameras ready."
Mike Tomlin, NBC Sports
However, Tomlin is wrong. The Bengals' offensive line has already proved this season that it can easily deal with TJ Watt. In the first meeting between the two teams in Week 3, the Steelers recorded one sack on Burrow, and it came from Derrick Harmon.
Watt was lined up against Amarius Mims and didn't even get pressure on the Bengals quarterback that day. Mims has been locking down top pass rushers all year long, and he completely took Watt out of the game.
The Steelers' biggest threat against Cincinnati is actually Jaylen Warren, as they showed in Week 3. The Bengals have struggled to stop the run this year, especially when backs have got into the secondary. Warren went for 127 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry against the Bengals.
Cincy's offense is inevtiable; Watt isn't going to stop Burrow from a big game. This game will be won or lost by the Bengals defense and the Steelers' offence, not the other way around, sorry, Mike.