Bengals vs. Steelers: 3 things you need to know

Saturday's game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers is shaping up to be the most contentious battle in the 45-year history of the teams' rivalry.

In a potential preview for what's in store, a pregame scuffle broke out before their last encounter, and Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has already declared how much he hates the Steelers.

Here are three things you need to know:

Atkins is back with a vengeance

Geno Atkins returned to All-Pro form after finally recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October 2013. The Bengals defensive tackle recorded 42 tackles and 11 sacks, and will loom large over the Steelers' offensive game plan.

Atkins is arguably the best interior lineman in the league against the run, and the Steelers are already shorthanded at tailback with DeAngelo Williams ruled out due to a foot injury.

Steelers All-Pro guard David DeCastro will need to be at his best, as Atkins could have a field day wrapping up Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman. The two replacement-level backs are in for the toughest challenge of their careers. What's more, Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson are great at sealing the edge. Ben Roethlisberger will certainly have to execute in the passing game to give Pittsburgh a shot.

Brown-Bryant tandem the key for Steelers

Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant are one of the NFL's best wide receiver tandems, and Roethlisberger will need to target them early and often.

Brown recorded 136 receptions for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns, and the Steelers superstar should expect a substantial number of targets against the Bengals. In their last matchup, the Steelers attempted to align Brown against Dre Kirkpatrick as often as possible, as the Bengals' former first-round pick has been a liability in coverage all year. Adam Jones will likely be assigned to Brown and will need to try to bump him off the line of scrimmage as often as possible.

Bryant will likely draw the assignment of Kirkpatrick and/or Josh Shaw, and will be counted upon to establish a secondary downfield option for Roethlisberger. If the Steelers are to defeat the Bengals, it'll be on the strength of their potent receivers.

Protection will need to hold up for McCarron

AJ McCarron isn't anyone's idea of a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback, but the former Alabama star is protected by one of the NFL's best offensive lines. Against a Steelers defense that amassed 48 sacks - third best in the NFL - keeping McCarron upright will be of paramount importance.

The Steelers can attack the quarterback in multiple ways. Premier pass-rusher Cameron Heyward will likely square off against the league's best pass-blocker in Bengals All-Pro left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

Pro Football Focus determined that McCarron has completed 77.3 percent of his passes when not under pressure, as opposed to 56.7 percent when attacked. The Bengals will need to neutralize Heyward, James Harrison, and Stephon Tuitt to get the most out of their backup signal-caller.