Steelers vs Bengals: 3 Things Weighing On Coach McCarthy’s Mind
With 6-2 Pittsburgh coming off the bye, we are getting set for another Steelers vs Bengals battle in week 10. This game has major implications, as a win for the Steelers puts them alone at the top of the AFC North. They would also sweep the regular-season series and have the tiebreaker for the division. But there are some things on Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s mind as the considers the team’s division foe.
On the other side of things, a Bengals win would put them at the top of the division and knock Pittsburgh to second place—and it would also mean the two teams split the regular-season series. Let’s look at some things to watch in the next Steelers vs Bengals installment as we get ready for kickoff.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals Passing Attack Key in Steelers vs Bengals
The first thing to watch out for is the biggest reason the Bengals are as good as they are, and that is the passing attack. Joe Burrow looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league. He is 219/296 with 2,386 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes while also having a 114.8 passer rating. In his last three games, Burrow threw for over 270 passing yards in each game and will look to continue that dominance. With that being said, the Steelers’ defensive backs and safeties must be ready to go because the Bengals cause damage through the air rather than on the ground.
Can the Steelers Defense Withstand Burrow, Chase and Higgins?
The Bengals’ offense is explosive and will be very hard to stop. The good news for Pittsburgh is how clutch their defense has been and the room they still have to grow. A look at key stats tells the story:
- 4th in total defense
- 2nd in rush defense
- 6th in sacks (26)
- 2nd in pass touchdowns allowed
When the Steelers shut down the Bengals’ offense, it would usually mean a win regardless of whether Pittsburgh’s defense showed up. Cincinnati in recent times has lacked a good defense, but they’ve since retooled. A ‘bend but don’t break’ mantra is a key to shutting down Burrow and the offense. Winning the turnover battle is likely to tilt the balance in a close game.
Can the Steelers’ Offense Continue Their Success From Before the Bye Week?
The thing that may not have enough attention for this week’s game is the Steelers’ offense. Jaylen Warren has been an absolute animal in the backfield for Pittsburgh. In his last three out of four games, he rushed for over 100 yards and has been a large part of why the Steelers are putting up more points than usual.
The question now is whether Warren and the offense will continue to dominate, or will the bye week have served to halt their recent success. It will be expected that the run game will get plenty of nods from the coaching staff. The ability or inability for Aaron Rodgers to go downfield would open things up underneath and with Warren. If they find success downfield, expect another strong performance from Warren. And if the defense can withstand Burrow & Co, that just might be enough.
The Last Word
This Steelers vs Bengals game on Sunday Night Football is a big one in the wide open AFC North. Both teams are fighting for first place in the division, and this game has so much at stake. The Bengals do have home-field advantage as the Steelers head to Cincinnati, but Pittsburgh is also rested on a bye week, ready to take the field again. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us now what you think.
Main Image: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
