It seems that every week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a game with huge implications. This week, the Steelers come off the bye and take on the 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals with the winner taking control of the AFC North. After a quiet trade deadline for both teams, these two confident squads will square off. These franchises have a long history and there's no love lost between either one.

Here are the big storylines this week.

Did the bye week kill the momentum?

The Steelers went into the bye week on a four-game winning streak, including a huge division win over the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, the Bengals are coming off a big win over the Tennessee Titans last week and have won four straight as well. Will momentum be on the Bengals' side, or can the Steelers stay hot?

It might be Max Hurleman time

With Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. still sidelined with injury, Pittsburgh needs a No. 3 wide receiver they can count on. That might be practice squad star Max Hurleman. This week, head coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf all spoke highly of Hurleman and we don't think that could be a coincidence.

How to deal with a shootout

The Steelers defense has been absolutely elite this season. But what if the Bengals figure it out? Pittsburgh's offense has centered on the run game and hasn't been asked to trade punches with an opponent like Cincinnati. If the Bengals crack the code and start putting up points, does McCarthy have something up his sleeve to keep pace?