Pressure on Steelers' Russell Wilson to avoid mistakes vs. Bengals? Is this a must-win game?

North Shore Drive podcast - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to preview the NFL Week 18 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Is this game a must-win to avoid a potential first-round matchup with the Baltimore Ravens and instead draw the struggling Texans? Is QB Russell Wilson's ability to avoid costly mistakes the key to an offensive turnaround? Or is the pressure on Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr. and the young offensive line to pave the way for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to have rushing success?

On defense, can T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, Cam Heyward and the pass rush be more effective in getting home and sacking Joe Burrow to slow his connection with receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins? And can the return of Joey Porter Jr. help the secondary in coverage?

Our duo tackles those questions, previews a busy slate of games around the NFL -- including the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC -- and also gives predictions for how Steelers-Bengals will shake out.