Which game will be biggest statement opportunity for Bengals in 2017?

After a disappointing 2016 season for the Cincinnati Bengals, fans are hoping for considerable improvement from the team in 2017.

The Bengals only beat one team with a winning record in 2016. That’s simply unacceptable and something the Bengals will need to have much more success with in 2017. The Bengals must find ways to beat good football teams and not have one-third of the team’s wins come against the Cleveland Browns.

Taking a look at the 2017 schedule, some of the toughest games will come against the Ravens (Weeks 1 and 17), Packers (Week 3), Steelers (Weeks 7 and 13), Titans (Week 10) and Vikings (Week 15). Things could change once the 2017 season gets underway and we see how teams have progressed (or regressed) and how each roster shapes up to be. But as of now, these games appear to be the most challenging for the Bengals.

As far as primetime games, the Steelers game in Week 13 in Cincinnati is on Monday Night Football and the Vikings game in Week 15 in Minnesota is on Sunday Night Football. Additionally, the Bengals have a Week 2 Thursday Night Football game against the Texans. These games will be important for the Bengals to win to increase the team’s reputation with the nation. The Bengals have failed far too often under the bright lights, giving the country a negative look at the team.

Whether it’s those primetime games or others, which game would be the biggest statement for the Bengals to win in 2017?

For me, it’s the Week 13 Steelers game. You could make an argument for the Steelers game in Pittsburgh having more potential to make a statement, but the Bengals have actually been better in Pittsburgh than when playing the Steelers in Cincinnati. It’s one of the saddest statistics in regards to the two teams.

During the Marvin Lewis era (since 2003) the Bengals are 2-14 against the Steelers at home, including the playoffs. In that same span, the Bengals are 6-8 in Pittsburgh, which is actually somewhat respectable.

I would love to see the Bengals beat the Steelers on my birthday (Week 7 — October 22) but I would be ecstatic to see the Bengals beat the Steelers at home in Week 13.

Which game do you feel has the biggest potential to make a statement for the Bengals in 2017?