Tale of the Tape
KEY STAT | STEELERS | BENGALS |
PPG OFFENCE | 22.7 (14/32) | 28.3 (6/32) |
PPG DEFENCE | 20.5 (7/32) | 26.1 (29/32) |
PASSING YPG - OFFENCE | 196.6 (25/32) | 274.6 (1/32) |
PASSING YPG - DEFENCE | 226.9 (23/32) | 230 (24/32) |
RUSHING YPG - OFFENCE | 130.8(10/32) | 94.1 (29/32) |
RUSHING YPG - DEFENCE | 100.6 (7/32) | 128 (21/32) |
Three keys to victory for the Steelers
Put cool joe to the coals !
With the unbelievable season Joe Burrow and his receivers have had this year - their passing offence is virtually unstoppable and given how the Steelers pass defence has been trending in recent weeks this is not a good sign. With Donte Jackson being questionable , we are moving further down a bleak depth chart at cornerback. The best way to disrupt the passing offence of Cincinnati would be at the source, and that means getting to Burrow with pressure. The previous match between these teams I believe is the blueprint for Pittsburgh - which was bend but don’t break and be opportunistic when the situation arises. While this is easier said than done, the Steelers defensive backs don’t seem capable of shutting down the receivers which means to disrupt this game the pass rushers need to get to Joe Burrow.
Feed George Pickens
Outside of Pickens first game of his career - which came against the Bengals, he has averaged 105 yards in the other four games against them. The Steelers offence is undeniably better with Pickens involved;, he is the closest thing to a true number 1 receiver in this offence and is the most likely candidate to get open on key downs. He is Wilson’s favourite target especially on deep targets and with him being closer
to full health now - for the Steelers to have any chance of keeping up with the high powered Bengal offence; he must be an integral part of the offence.
Shut down Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson has really raised his game this season and is perhaps reaching a new echelon of pass rusher, week in week out - he is the target of the opposing teams game plan and yet in spite of that, he leads the league with 14 sacks. Sam Hubbard has been ruled out which means that Myles Murphy last years underwhelming first round pick will be elevated to a starter for the game but this puts even more onus on Hendrickson to show up for the Bengals. Wilson had a throwback game last time out against the Bengals reminding fans of why he was a perennial MVP candidate a few years ago. While he is clearly no longer that calibre of player - to give him the best possible chance to succeed he must be afforded time
to seek out Pickens and his other receivers.
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