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The NFL’s streakiest team this season can streak right into the playoffs today in Pittsburgh.
Even in the league’s unpredictable, parity-driven world, the Bengals have set themselves apart with a dizzying year that defines the term “roller coaster” — a 3-1 start, followed by four consecutive losses, followed by five wins in six games.
That current hot streak leads Cincinnati (8-6) into Heinz Field this afternoon with a delicious opportunity to clinch a playoff berth at the longtime division tormentor’s expense, while eliminating the struggling Steelers (7-7).
A loss today would be almost equally devastating for the Bengals. Cincinnati wouldn’t be officially eliminated, but Marvin Lewis’ team would need to beat the Ravens in Week 17 while hoping for a simultaneous road upset by the Browns in Pittsburgh.
“The way we look at it, the playoffs start now,” Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton said this week. “We’re in control of everything. That’s how you want to have it. A lot’s going to be decided in these last two weeks, but we’ll be ready to go.”
The injury-ravaged Steelers are mired in a two-game losing streak, but they still are a formidable task for Dalton, in particular. In his first two seasons, Dalton is a combined 0-6 against Pittsburgh and Baltimore, including a 24-17 home loss to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers earlier this season.
Pittsburgh and its quarterback, in fact, don’t lose to the Bengals very often, period. Roethlisberger is 13-4 in his career against Cincinnati, and the Steelers are unbeaten in their past three December home games with the Bengals.
It might seem like the Steelers are no longer fearsome and intimidating, but that’s thanks mostly to a staggering minus-14 turnover ratio. Pittsburgh still ranks first in the NFL in total defense, giving up just 273 yards per game.
Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau made it clear with blanket coverage in the first meeting that he won’t let A.J. Green beat his team. The Steelers might be a wounded team, but they still have plenty of veterans with recent Super Bowl experience and they just don’t lose at home to the Bengals, especially when the stakes are this high.
PICK: Steelers, 26-14
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Redskins (8-6) at Eagles (4-10): Robert Griffin III is returning to the lineup after missing last week’s win over the Browns with a knee injury. Considering impressive rookie backup Kirk Cousins engineered Washington’s past two wins (the first in relief of Griffin), the decision to sit Cousins might have been a source of controversy this week except that the Eagles and lame-duck coach Andy Reid are in such disarray and freefall that a Washington win seems all but certain.
PICK: Redskins, 31-13
Saints (6-8) at Cowboys (8-6): Tony Romo is 3-0 in December for the first time in his NFL career, but the hot streak (five wins in six games) that has brought Dallas into a three-way NFC East tie hasn’t exactly impressed anyone, considering it included comebacks against the lowly Eagles and Browns. But Drew Brees and the Saints gladly would trade places, considering their playoff hopes are on life support. New Orleans is 6-1 in its past seven meetings with Dallas, but the Saints’ woeful defense will be their undoing once again.
PICK: Cowboys, 35-27
bhubbuch@nypost.com