​PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 25: Mike McCarthy, Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with head referee Bill Vinovich during the NFL game between Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on October 25, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football for sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Whoever comes out of Paycor Stadium with a victory on primetime will have the inside track to win the division.With the stakes as high as they are, an underrated storyline in the contest is how the Friday mandatory ground stop on Friday will impact the referee crew for the Steelers vs. Bengals showdown.Longtime side judge Don Willard is working an unprecedented schedule due to travel problems. He will serve as the head referee for the Colts matchup against the Dolphins in Indianapolis on at 1 pm. After the conclusion of that game, Willard will make the drive to Cincinnati for Sunday Night Football, where he will also serve as the head referee.NFL referee Don Willard will officiate two games in one day because of travel delays from the FAA’s ground stop.Ref Dolphins-Colts at 1 p.m. in IndianapolisDrive 110 miles to Cincinnati Ref Steelers-Bengals at 8:20 p.m. pic.twitter.com/yf3MV2QjaC— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 14, 2026The usual crew that Willard usually works with is not scheduled to work at all this weekend. The longtime side judge will step into a major role for two separate games on Sunday.While the league has had to make major changes to officiating crews for Sunday, it does not seem that the ground stoppage will have a major effect on any teams travels plans. Last night, Steelers director of communications Burt Lauten suggested that the team was considering bussing to Cincinnati. At the time of this writing, there is no update as to whether the Steelers will fly or drive to Cincinnati after the ground stoppage was lifted late last night.Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!Steelers take quarterback in PFF mock draftSteelers could be forced to bus to Cincinnati after FAA grounds flightsThe Steelers can’t stop talking about this practice squad WRSteelers DL Derrick Harmon questionable for Bengals matchupSteelers reporter doesn’t expect Derrick Harmon to return against Bengals