The Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) will host the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) on Thursday Night Football this week at Paycor Stadium. Let’s take a look at a few players who will need to have big performances for Cincinnati this week.
Joseph Ossai
Trey Hendrickson was unable to play in the second half versus the Green Bay Packers. His status for the game is currently unknown. The Bengals have also been without Shemar Stewart for the past four weeks. It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that they err on the side of caution with Hendrickson and let Stewart get a bunch of his snaps.
Either way, I think Ossai will need to make his presence felt, containing the Steelers’ running game. The Steelers have been getting quality play from both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Keeping those guys in check will be paramount in winning this game.
Ossai has shown some flashes as a pass rusher recently. Aaron Rodgers does not have the same mobility he previously had. If we can force him out of the pocket, we could have a chance to create some turnovers.
Joe Flacco
I was highly impressed with Joe Flacco during the second half of the Packers game. Ja’Marr Chase also played out of his mind during that time, which he tends to do fairly often. Flacco will have to continue to get the ball out quickly this week versus TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig coming off the edge. Not turning the ball over will be another key in this game. Getting off to a fast start offensively will be another one.
Hopefully, Flacco and the rest of the offense build off of what was working in the second half against Green Bay. Flacco was spreading the ball around to multiple players. Eight different players caught passes from Flacco during the game, including this Tanner Hudson touchdown.
The smartest thing Flacco did was let his best players make plays for him. Tee Higgins had 5 catches for 62 yards. Ja’Marr Chase finished the game with 10 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Those two will once again need to play a high level against the Steelers.
DJ Turner
Coming off a game where he tied a Bengals’ franchise record with five passes defensed, Turner could be tasked with facing DK Metcalf a lot on Thursday night. Metcalf will certainly have the size and strength advantage against Turner. However, it is tough to count out the tenacity, speed, and hip fluidity of a cornerback like DJ Turner. He is playing the best football he has in his young NFL career.
