Bengals can smell playoffs

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Tom Uhlman / the associated press archives Quarterback Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to wins in five of their last six games. (CP)

PITTSBURGH -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants the league to consider expanding the playoffs.

Consider the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals a litmus test.

The official post-season doesn't start for another two weeks, but the AFC North rivals are getting an early start on Sunday in what amounts to an elimination game.

The Steelers (7-7) need two wins to play into January while the Bengals (8-6) need at least one more victory to assure themselves a rare second straight playoff berth.

Cincinnati hasn't made consecutive post-season appearances since 1981-82, or before all but five players on the current roster were even born.

"We can't control the past," wide receiver A.J. Green said.

Maybe, but the Bengals control the present. They've won five out of six -- the only loss coming on a last-second field goal loss to Dallas -- and can still capture the AFC North title with victories over the Steelers and Ravens and a little help.

Heady territory for a franchise that has spent most of the last two decades serving as both a national punching bag for its two main rivals, though the Bengals are downplaying the chance to make a statement against teams considered part of the NFL's elite.

"It's not as much about Pittsburgh as it is about us," left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "We've got an opportunity to go to the playoffs."

Amazingly, the Steelers do too, despite their second-worst stretch in coach Mike Tomlin's six years on the job. Pittsburgh has dropped four of five, including baffling losses to Cleveland and San Diego.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been nursing a sprained shoulder and the nagging perception he and offensive co-ordinator Todd Haley won't be exchanging Christmas cards.

Roethlisberger vented about the direction of the offence after a 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas last weekend, though he backtracked a few days later and Tomlin insisted his franchise cornerstone and his fiery co-ordinator are on the same page.

Maybe, but the latest dust-up offered another chapter in an increasingly long series of melodramas that have evaporated the sense of optimism following a 24-20 victory over the New York Giants on Nov. 4 that appeared to cement the notion the Steelers were back after a slow start.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace, in the midst of a contract season, was booed lustily after poor play against the Chargers, a loss running back Rashard Mendenhall didn't even bother to show up for after being made inactive. Tomlin suspended Mendenhall a game for conduct detrimental to the team, though the mercurial back hardly seemed remorseful upon his return this week.

Throw in the ongoing saga of Roethlisberger and Haley and it's no wonder things appear worse than they actually are in a place known for stability and sustained success.

"I don't know what it is this year or what we've done to make people feel like everything we've done isn't football mistakes, it's off the field mistakes when that's not the case," Wallace said. "We feel like everybody is locked in."

The Steelers don't really have a choice if they want to salvage their season. Pittsburgh has won five straight over Cincinnati -- including a 24-17 win on Oct. 21 -- and 10 of the last 12 meetings dating back to 2006.

"I think that a lot of the guys in this locker-room have 'been there before' and understand this is a playoff game for us," Roethlisberger said. "It does help us."

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 21, 2012 C7