Steelers vs Bengals: Breakdown, matchups and prediction
This is it. This is the game that most of us have been waiting for. It’s been said that the Steelers Super bowls are played in February and the Bengals Super bowls are played whenever they face the Steelers. There is some truth to that, because this game has huge implications in the division and both teams are going to walk on to Heinz Field with emotions running high.
Breakdown
The Steelers go into this game with a 4-3 record against the undefeated 6-0 Bengals. Pittsburgh leads this rivalry with a 56-34 record, 29-15 in Pittsburgh and 9-5 at Heinz Field.
Bengals cornerback Leon Hall was limited Wednesday and Thursday but participated fully on Friday and will starting at the slot cornerback position
Steelers safety Will Allen is still out with an ankle issue. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt will miss his second game with a knee injury. Backup linebacker Terence Garvin and backup quarterback Michael Vick are also out for the week.
The big news, of course, is that Ben Roethlisberger participated fully every day this week and will start after missing 4 games. The Steelers will also retain the services of cornerback William Gay who sat out Wednesday but returned strong on Thursday and Friday.
The Bengals are 4th in scoring…3rd in total offense: 12th in rushing and 5th in passing. They are 22nd in defense: 16th in rushing and 21st in passing.
The Steelers are 8th in scoring…19th in total offense: 9th in rushing and 26th in passing. They are 24th in defense: 8th in rushing and 27th in passing)
Both teams are tied for 10th in turnovers at plus 3.
Matchups
Steelers Left Tackle Alejandro Villanueva vs Bengals Defensive end Michael Johnson
Johnson does a lot of things right that simply do not show up on stats sheets. Pittsburgh will need a strong showing from Villanueva who replaces the injured Kelvin Beachum. Villanueva has freakish size and strength but is relatively inexperienced. He will be protecting Ben’s blind side and will need occasional help from the running backs.
Steelers Tight End Heath Miller vs Bengals Cornerback Leon Hall
Cincinnati veteran cornerback Leon Hall will be tasked with covering either tight end Heath Miller or slot receiver Markus Wheaton. Hall is a savvy slot cornerback who has given the Steelers problems in the past, but he is going to have to play at a high level if he is planning on shutting down the experienced Miller or shifty Wheaton. Hall will be playing aggressively and knows how to bait a quarterback before jumping a route.
Steelers Wide Receiver Martavis Bryant vs. Bengals Cornerback Adam Jones
Although we will see Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones switching up coverage on Steelers receivers Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown, this is the matchup that the Steelers are going to be looking for. Bryant’s size and speed are a nightmare for defenders. Jones can be a bit of a loose cannon and often falls back on his athleticism instead of using proper technique. Jones has never been a great open field tackler and Bryant is as elusive as any receiver in the league.
Steelers Inside Linebacker Lawrence Timmons vs Bengals Tight End Tyler Eifert
Eifert comes into this game with 6 touchdowns. The Steelers have had some trouble covering tight ends this year so you can bet Andy Dalton will be looking his way. Timmons will match up against him over the middle and will receive help from the slot cornerback and safety Mike Mitchell. It will be imperative that the Steelers defense communicates and not leave Eifert uncovered.
Prediction
The Steelers finally take the field with all their offensive weapons. Cincinnati will have to game plan against a solid run game and elite wide receiver corps.
The Steelers face a Cincinnati team that is undefeated and poised to go 7-0 for the first time in their history if they can walk away from this game with a win. Dalton is only 2-6 against the Steelers and the Bengals have only won one game in their last 5 trips to Heinz Field.
Next: Steelers vs Bengals: Questions with the enemy
The Steelers will have to take advantage of a Bengals secondary that doesn’t match up well against their receivers. You can bet the Bengals are aware of this and will try to pressure Ben by creating a pass rush against back up center Cody Wallace and backup left tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
Score: Steelers 27-Bengals 17
It all comes down to the Bengals secondary. The Steelers are coming into this game ready to prove something. They know that a win against the Bengals could be instrumental in determining who ultimately wins the division and perhaps even if they make the playoffs at all.
Look for Ben to use short passes and a strong run game to set his receivers up for the big plays. Dalton is relatively easy to shake up and the Steelers defense will do their best to keep his head on a swivel and force him into making bad throws. Turnovers could determine the outcome of this game, so Pittsburgh’s secondary will have to be opportunistic.