Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell

*Keys to the game: Any pleas from QB Ben Roethlisberger to spare RB Le’Veon Bell of wear and tear won’t be heeded this week with the Steelers in a fight to remain in the playoff picture. Bell has four of the team’s 14 explosive plays in the past six games and is going for his third straight game over 200 yards from scrimmage. Bell, whose 281 touches (216 rushes, 65 catches) are second in the league, will see this defense twice this month and to be successful, Roethlisberger will need to make a few plays of his own. But Roethlisberger has only six touchdown passes on the road – and the largest TD differential in the NFL at 12, with 18 scoring tosses at home.

The Bengals are not yielding big plays – two over 30 yards in the past six games – but admitted this week that Bell concerns them.

The approach from the Bengals is becoming predictable yet no easier to slow down. RB Jeremy Hill brings a powerful element to the offense the Steelers have not seen in recent years. Hill is also explosive but not in the class of wriggly Giovani Bernard, who is working his way back to full health. Bernard had three touchdowns in two games against Pittsburgh last season.

WRs A.J. Green (thigh) and Mohamed Sanu could put up big numbers. The Steelers allowed five touchdown passes to Drew Brees and the Saints last week with a lot of slow-reacting zone looks.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Steelers LB James Harrison: The ageless Harrison returns to Cincinnati after spending part of last season battling Whitworth on the practice field with the Bengals and appears refreshed back in his familiar role as a pass rusher in the Steelers’ 3-4. Whitworth is having the best season of his nine-year career.

*Player spotlight – Steelers ILB Ryan Shazier: If he can get healthy, the Steelers drafted Shazier in the first round for this matchup – containing a speed back without entirely altering the defensive scheme.

*Fast facts: The Bengals have the longest current winning streak in the AFC at three games (tied, San Diego). … The Bengals’ rush defense has allowed 75 or fewer yards in each of the past three games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Pittsburgh’s play on the road is troublesome. If Roethlisberger continues to be a slouch in Cincy, the Bengals build their AFC North edge in a tight one.

*Our pick: Bengals 23-20