One of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries renews this week when the Cincinnati Bengals head to the Steel City to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If the Bengals are to win and start the year 3-0, here are three keys to getting it done in Pittsburgh.
Establish the running game
The Steelers still have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, specifically with their ability to rush the passer with their defensive line. One way to limit the impact of that defensive line is to establish the running game early.
A quality rushing attack
from Cincinnati will keep players like TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, and others from teeing off on Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ passing attack. It will also open up play action for the big plays down the field to the Cincinnati playmakers.
Chase Brown ran the ball 20 times for 80 rushing yards. A lot of those carries came late in the game with the Bengals having a two-possession lead. He also had an explosive run called back earlier in the game, on a very questionable holding call. If that run was factored in, that would have put Brown over 100 yards during the game.
Continue generating pressure at a high rate
The Bengals had an astounding 41 total pressures versus Houston in week two. The revamped defense is getting contributions from so many different players. Led by the sheer gravitational pull of Dexter Lawrence in the middle, this Bengals defense is looking legitimate.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have allowed 28 pressures through two games. Will the Steelers offensive line be able to keep Aaron Rodgers upright on Sunday? Or will this Bengals defense continue being a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses? If the Bengals generate pressure at a high rate on Aaron Rodgers, they will have opportunities to create turnovers. That pressure could end up determining the outcome of this one.
Feed Ja’Marr Chase
It was Joe Flacco instead of Joe Burrow, but Ja’Marr Chase went off for 16 receptions and 161 yards during week 7 last season against Pittsburgh. After having just 2 catches for 12 yards in week 1, the Bengals made more of an effort to get Chase involved during week 2. He finished the game with 7 receptions, 75 yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns. That was with the Bengals playing conservatively on offense to finish the game with a two-possession lead during the second half.
With the Steelers potentially without Joey Porter Jr. again this week, Chase could be in line for another monster performance this week. Establishing the run early will help the entire offense, but there will be times when the Bengals need to let Ja’Marr Chase just be Ja’Marr Chase. Good things happen when the ball goes his direction. I think the Bengals will find ways to get him involved early and often.
