My final Pittsburgh Steelers thoughts as the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals for their regular-season rematch at Acrisure Stadium.
1. THE REVOLVING DOOR IN THE SECONDARY IS HARD TO PREDICT
The Steelers’ defense was bad in their last game in Cincinnati. Very bad. They allowed 142 rushing yards and 342 passing yards. Joe Flacco, who had just joined the Bengals, was effective in exploiting every coverage look the Steelers tried. While the Bengals have a good offense, the Steelers need to find ways to limit the damage this time.
The defensive backs group has looked different almost every week. The group of starters has changed both due to injury and on-field performance. With the loss of DeShon Elliott, Jalen Ramsey has moved from cornerback to safety. He has done well in that role and may stay there for the rest of the season. That leaves a question mark at the outside corner position. Joey Porter Jr will look to cover Ja’Marr Chase, with James Pierre opposite him and Brandon Echols in the slot. And opposite Ramsey, we will likely see Kyle Dugger make his third start for Pittsburgh.
During the week, Joey Porter Jr. stated that the defensive backs weren’t really sure what exactly the plan would be against the Bengals, but that they would be ready. Whichever players take the field and whatever the game plan is, they will have their hands full. It’s anybody’s guess what kind of day they will have. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin expressed confidence that they will be better against the Bengals in their rematch. Let’s hope he is right.
2. EXPECT AARON RODGERS TO BE BETTER THIS WEEK
Last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, Aaron Rodgers was bad. Very bad. One-of-the-worst-games-in-his-career type of bad. Some media analysts have already written Rodgers off, stating that he has lost his motivation or mojo or skills. While it was painful to watch him struggle throughout that game, I doubt we will see a repeat performance this week.
Against the Bengals last month, Rodgers had one of his best games of the season, throwing four touchdowns, including one that should have been a come-from-behind game-winning drive. But that two-play touchdown sequence was too efficient, leaving Joe Flacco over two minutes to get his team in field goal position. Rodgers was not the reason the Steelers lost to the Bengals last time. He shouldn’t be a liability this time either.
3. ALEX HIGHSMITH WILL BE MISSED
Unfortunately, Alex Highsmith has already been ruled out for this game due to a pectoral injury. The Steelers are fortunate to have incredible depth at the outside linebacker position. Nick Herbig would be a starter on any other team, and he takes advantage of every snap he gets on defense. While Herbig is a difference-maker, Highsmith’s loss will have an impact on the Steelers, both from a game plan and execution standpoint.
The team has had success with their three OLB package this season. It’s unlikely that they would use that with rookie Jack Sawyer as their third man. Highsmith has also been terrific in his last two games, generating pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and logging two sacks in each of those games. With Highsmith sidelined and TJ Watt seeing extra attention, the pass rush could be less effective.
4. LOOKING FOR ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR THE TIGHT END GROUP
It is no secret that Steelers tight ends have good games against the Bengals. In his eight games facing the Bengals, Pat Freiermuth has logged 600 yards on 48 catches with an average of 12.5 yards per reception. Tack on six touchdowns and 27 first downs. In their last meeting a month ago, Freiermuth had his best game of the season, gaining 111 yards on only five receptions with a long of 68 yards and two touchdowns. It isn’t just Freiermuth. In that same game, both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington caught touchdown passes.
While establishing the run game will be crucial for the Steelers, getting the tight ends involved in the passing game early and often will be a key to moving the chains and getting first downs. Aaron Rodgers should spread the ball around, but he should definitely be using his tight ends in this game.
5. THIS GAME IS CRUCIAL FOR PITTSBURGH’S PLAYOFF HOPES
I know that most Steelers fans will instantly react to this with the famous Jim Mora’s “Playoffs?” response. The Steelers still lead the standings in the AFC North at the moment. That is a shaky hold at best, with the Baltimore Ravens on a three-game winning streak. The Ravens also have a couple of favorable matchups on deck against the Cleveland Browns and then at home against the New York Jets. The Steelers don’t have any margin for error if they want to win the division and have at least one playoff game at home. Not to mention that losing the division title could mean they will be fighting for a wild-card slot, which is by no means a sure thing. A win on Sunday against the Bengals still only gives the Steelers a 30 percent chance to make the playoffs and an 18 percent chance to win the division, according to the New York Times playoff simulator. A loss to the Bengals makes things look pretty dire, with only an 11 percent shot at the playoffs.
Getting swept by the Bengals would not only impact their potential for a playoff berth but would also be an incredibly demoralizing result. The Pittsburgh locker room has remained cohesive despite some ugly losses in the past month, but another bad outing could result in some cracks in the foundation. Defensive captain Cam Heyward made some pointed comments about needing to trust his teammates following the loss to the Chargers. While he backtracked on that during the week, he probably meant it at the time. If players start playing the blame game behind the scenes, it won’t help the team stay in the right mindset on game day, and things could spiral from there.
While this is not a “must-win” game from a playoff elimination standpoint, a win could help to put the Steelers back on course, and a loss could be an ominous sign for the remainder of the season.
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