The Steelers have a huge edge at QB even if rusty and playoff failure Andy Dalton comes back. They also have a big coaching edge. True we would have a better line, but tea leaves indicate AJ McCarron is the starter and the line would be more likely to go up.

Since Marvin Lewis became their head coach in 2003, the Bengals are 16-44 against the combination of playoffs, prime time and Pittsburgh (0-6 in the playoffs, 8-19 in prime-time games and 8-19 against Pittsburgh in the regular season). In seven nighttime games against the Steelers, the Bengals have just one win; a 2013 Monday night victory in Cincinnati.

Marvin Lewis has never, ever won a playoff game in 12 years as head coach. Now he has to figure out how to attack the vulnerable pass defense of Pittsburgh with a backup QB. Steelers advance.