The 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals will host the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football this week.
The Steelers defeated the Bengals 30-27 earlier this season in Pittsburgh. Can Cincinnati return the favor and take the lead in the AFC North standings?
If they are going to do so, here are three keys to victory.
Contain Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren has been playing really well for the Steelers this season. He was a huge reason they were able to get the victory earlier this season against the Bengals. He had almost 170 all-purpose
yards during that game. He does damage where the Bengals often struggle against the run, and that is to the outside. He is also an effective pass catcher who can make huge chunk plays out of the backfield.
It will be a group effort to limit Jaylen Warren this week. That starts with the guys up front setting a good edge and forcing Warren to go back inside. Once that happens, they will need the linebackers and secondary players to make the tackle. Warren is elusive, shows good leg drive, and is critical for the success of the Pittsburgh offense. Slowing him down will be one of the biggest keys to earning a tough divisional victory on Sunday night.
Effective running from Chase Brown
Chase Brown ran for over six yards per carry on Sunday against the Falcons. While he has yet to top 100 yards rushing in a game this season, he is starting to be much more effective when his number is called. Last season, when the Bengals faced off against the Steelers at home, Chase Brown had just 11 carries. Even though he had just 11 carries, he was still able to top 100 yards rushing. You don’t have to change your identity, but running effectively will be a big key on Sunday night.
Earlier this season against Pittsburgh, Brown ran for 61 yards on 13 carries. One thing that would certainly help the numbers in the running game would be to play with a lead. Getting an early lead and being able to effectively run the football will go a long way toward trying to get the victory and taking the lead in the division at 7-2.
Protect the football
When the Bengals played the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this season, they had two crucial turnovers that cost them the game. The first turnover was a muffed punt by Ke’Shawn Williams. Not only did Williams muff the punt, but PJ Jules tried to pick the football up instead of just jumping on it.
That muffed punt came with the Bengals leading 27-24 early in the fourth quarter. The Steelers recovered the fumble and went on to add a field goal. That tied the game at the time at 27-27. After another Pittsburgh field goal put them up 30-27, the Cincinnati Bengals offense came back on the field with a chance to win the game.
The Bengals got the ball with 2:08 left on the clock. After 17-yard and 13-yard completions to Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals were driving with an opportunity to win the game, or at least send it to overtime. They had the ball at midfield with a first down. This time, Dalton Risner got beat by Derrick Harmon, and Joe Burrow fumbled the ball while looking to get the ball out instead of taking the sack. The Steelers recovered the fumble and won the game 30-27.
If the Bengals can win the turnover battle, they should put themselves in a good position to win the football game. With a win, they will be sitting at the top of the division at 7-2. This is a massive matchup on Sunday Night Football in Cincinnati. There should be an electric atmosphere at Paycor Stadium this week.
