The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Steelers at home in Week 7, and since then, they dropped two games in the final moments to the Jets and Bears and went into their bye week with a 3-6 record instead of 5-4.
The Steelers, since their loss to the Bengals, have lost two of their following three games but do have a home win over the surging Colts.
Both teams are looking to get things back on track. The Steelers don’t want to lose control of the division, and the Bengals don’t want to be among the first teams mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
Here are some matchups to keep an eye on:
Joe Flacco vs. Aaron Rodgers
The two oldest quarterbacks in the NFL face off once again. Flacco has been incredible as the Bengals’ starting quarterback in the wake of Joe Burrow’s injury and Jake Browning’s struggles. Unfortunately, the defense has allowed 70 points over the last two games.
Rodgers and the Steelers offense aren’t as high-powered as the Bengals’ offense, but they’ve still scored 212 points so far on the season, and they scored 31 against the Bengals in Week 7. If this game is anything like some of the Bengals’ others, the quarterback with the ball in his hands last could have a chance to win the game.
Barrett Carter vs. Aaron Rodgers
Logan Wilson, who was voted to be a team captain by his peers, was benched for rookie Barrett Carter and requested a trade, which the Bengals gave him. Now Carter has the green dot on his helmet, and without the safety net of Wilson on the bench, the weight of the Bengals’ struggling defense is on his shoulders.
And he’s got to direct the defense against Rodgers, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The defense’s back is against the wall, and if Carter wants to prove he deserves the spot he’s in, helping turn the defense around would be an amazing feat.
Cedric Johnson vs. Opportunity
Outside of Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ defense can’t rush the passer, which is strange for a team with two first-round edge rushers—it’s almost like the Bengals can’t evaluate talent. Either way, Hendrickson is out on Sunday, as is rookie Shemar Stewart. While Stewart’s absence really doesn’t matter, Hendrickson leaves a void that would need to be filled by Joseph Ossai or Myles Murphy.
Or maybe Cedric Johnson?
Johnson is healthy, and the former sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss will be active on Sunday, and he should get plenty of playing time.
The bar is low, so hopefully Johnson can use that to his advantage and impress.
Al Golden vs. Everyone
The only thing that could make the people of Cincinnati dislike Golden more is if we found out he was personally responsible for Burrow’s turf-toe injury. If the Bengals score 35 or more points and lose another game, it’s possible people will break out the pitchforks.
Lou Anarumo was scapegoated for the defensive failures of the 2024 Bengals, and Taylor handpicked Golden to be his replacement. Regardless of Burrow’s injury, with the way Flacco has been playing, Golden will be the new fall guy, whether it’s really all on him or not.
DJ Turner vs. DK Metcalf
One major issue with being unable to rush the passer is even mediocre receivers will get open against a great secondary eventually. The Bengals don’t have a great secondary. They don’t even have a good one.
Turner has been excellent, though.
He won’t be on Metcalf all the time, but if there’s one guy who can stick on the Steelers receiver’s hip (for an extended period of time), it’s Turner.
Amarius Mims vs. TJ Watt
The last time the Bengals played the Steelers, Watt was credited with one sack, but, for the most part, Flacco was left alone in the pocket, opting to get the ball out quickly. Watt is another future Hall of Famer, and he leads the Steelers’ defense in sacks on the year with 7 (PFF).
The Steelers are looking for revenge, and a large part of that is not allowing Flacco, Chase and Higgins to put 33 points on the board. The best way to make sure that doesn’t happen is by keeping Flacco uncomfortable.
Mims has a score of 58.1 as a pass blocker, per PFF, and has surrendered four sacks on the season. Hopefully he’s up for the challenge again, because Flacco can’t move the way Burrow can.
Which matchups will you be keeping an eye on?
