PFT Writers Make Their Wild Card Picks

[Luvnit2]

(01-07-2016, 02:53 PM)NKYRob Wrote: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/07/pfts-wild-card-picks-5/

Steelers at Bengals

MDS’s take: If Andy Dalton were healthy for this game, I’d pick the Bengals and I wouldn’t think twice about it: Yes, Dalton has struggled in the postseason, but he was off to an excellent start this season before suffering a thumb injury. Unfortunately for the Bengals, it looks like Dalton will sit and AJ McCarron will start. That’s a rough break, as McCarron did not play well in the Bengals’ loss to the Steelers in December. I expect McCarron to struggle and Ben Roethlisberger to play well, as the Bengals lose yet another wild card game.

MDS’s pick: Steelers 28, Bengals 20.

Florio’s take: It’s Round Three between the Steelers and the Bengals, just like 10 years ago. That time, the Steelers knocked out quarterback Carson Palmer on the home team’s first play from scrimmage, paving the way for a win. This time, the Steelers already have dispensed with Andy Dalton, who broke a thumb while making a tackle after an interception. While the “nothing to lose” mentality could help the Bengals and backup A.J. McCarron, the Steelers already have spent a week staring into the abyss of having their season end after not going all out in Baltimore. On Saturday night, Pittsburgh throws Cincinnati into the pit.

Florio’s pick: Steelers 27, Bengals 20.

Neither of their analysts seem to think the Bengals can do it.  Nobody seems to mention how well the Bengals defense is playing, especially against Roethlisberger this season.

I prefer us as the underdog. Respect is not based on a prediction from a bunch of talking heads who also predicted the Steelers and Ravens to win the AFCN and Bengals to even make the playoffs. Respect will be earned after we beat them.