Steelers (7-5) at Cardinals (3-8-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 2
Steelers’ keys to victory: The Steelers have been riding their defense to wins in five of their last six games, which has allowed QB Devlin Hodges to play efficiently and lean on the running game. The Cardinals have one of the worst defenses in the league, so simply not turning the ball over should allow Pittsburgh to score points. Defensively, Pittsburgh must pressure QB Kyler Murray and limit the Cardinals’ running game, led by RB Kenyan Drake. The Steelers had 8 ⁄2
1 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception in Week 13 against Cleveland.
Cardinals’ keys to victory: The Cardinals are coming off their worst game of the season (a 34-7 home loss to the Rams) and have lost five straight. They weren’t even competitive against the Rams, falling behind 34-7 after three quarters. They have to protect Murray and pressure Hodges. They must get the running game going and involve RB David Johnson in the passing game. Johnson has 13 touches for his last four games, including three receptions. They also must improve on third down offensively and defensively.
Matchup to watch: Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva vs. Cardinals LB Chandler Jones. Jones has 13 sacks on the season but was limited to ones against the Rams. His play will be key against Pittsburgh’s rookie quarterback.
Who wins? The Cardinals can’t stop the bleeding with their losing streak and struggle to score points against Pittsburgh’s defense, which has allowed a combined 55 points over its last three games.
Steelers, 24-16
Steelers
Steelers schedule
L ... at New England ... 33-3 L .......... Seattle .......... 28-26 L ..... atSanFran . ..... 24-20 W ....... Cincinnati ....... 27-3 L .... Baltimore .... 26-23 OT W . at L.A. Chargers . 24-17
BYE
W .......... Miami .......... 27-14 W .... Indianapolis .... 26-24 W ...... L.A.Rams ...... 17-12 L ...... at Cleveland ...... 21-7 W .... at Cincinnati .... 16-10 W ...... Cleveland ...... 20-13 Dec. 8 .... at Arizona .... 4:25 Dec. 15 ..... Buffalo ..... 8:20 Dec. 22 .... at N.Y. Jets .... 1 Dec. 29 ... at Baltimore ... 1
Cardinals schedule
T ........... Detroit ........... 27-27 L ...... at Baltimore ...... 23-17 L .......... Carolina .......... 38-20 L ........... Seattle ........... 27-10 W ..... at Cincinnati ..... 26-23 W .......... Atlanta .......... 34-33 W .... at N.Y. Giants .... 27-21 L .... at New Orleans .... 31-9 L ..... San Francisco ..... 28-25 L ..... at Tampa Bay ..... 30-27 L ...at San Francisco ... 36-26
BYE
L ......... L.A. Rams ......... 34-7 Dec. 8 .... Pittsburgh .... 4:25 Dec. 15 .... Cleveland .... 4:05 Dec. 22 .... at Seattle .... 4:25 Dec. 29 . at L.A. Rams . 4:25