Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 things we learned in Week 6 win over Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers went to Cincinnati on Sunday and finished off a two game win streak that may have salvaged the season. It was a close game with a photo finish.

The Steelers went to Cincinnati to play the division rival Bengals in the first of their biannual clashes. It wasn’t as horrifically violent as it used to be (despite Burfict’s usual trash playing) but it was every bit as riveting. It was a hard fought match on both sides but with 10 seconds left the Steelers sealed the W with an Antonio Brown touchdown to win the game 28-21.

Pittsburgh now sits at 3-2-1. The beginning of a countdown to a playoff run? Maybe. But it definitely represents a herculean effort to pull this once torpedoed season from Le’Veon Bell’s contract drama and Ryan Shazier’s unfortunate injury to something that is at minimum worth holding onto hope for.

Here is what we learned:

James Conner might cost Le’Veon Bell money

James Conner is a top 5 running back currently. He has found his voice, his identity. He’s a bruiser with moves. Conner is more than a backup. He’s more than a placeholder. He’s bonafide NFL starting caliber running back. He had 111 rushing yards, 18 receiving, and 2 touchdowns. Bell needs to come back soon because the longer this goes on, the less likely it is that his holdout gambit will be successful.

A few weeks ago GMs were thinking how a Super Bowl contender tied the Browns without Bell. Now they might be thinking more about how, although Bell is obviously great, the passing game helped him out and the offensive line is amazing and he’s got a ProBowl quarterback. Oh ya, and isn’t he out all the time with injuries and suspension and holdouts? Conner is changing the narrative away from what helps Bell get that payday his agent keeps telling him he’ll get.

But like I said, Bell is obviously great. When he comes back, after a couple weeks to get back into game mode, he and Conner are going to be a tough tandem, and Bell will be healthy.