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What the Steelers must do to defeat the Bengals in week 12

By Jobe Morrison

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 14: James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs away from Juston Burris #31 of the Cleveland Browns and Greedy Williams #26 of the Cleveland Browns after catching a pass in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh 21-7. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 14: James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs away from Juston Burris #31 of the Cleveland Browns and Greedy Williams #26 of the Cleveland Browns after catching a pass in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh 21-7. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Steelers can win if offensively…

I could write an entire article on the Steelers “offense” alone, but here we are.

Mason Rudolph played a terrible game against the Browns… but you know what I saw a little bit of? Opening the offense up.

Granted, they had no choice, but this was important. I saw less repetitive play calls and a lot more slinging the ball around–though it was sloppy and led to four interceptions.

The Steelers have to do two main things this week: win at the line of scrimmage and loosen up.

I’m not saying let Rudolph call his own plays, but at least open things up to his disposal. If it fails, it fails. There has to be a new approach, even if it means Rudolph has more growing pains. The Bengals, once again, will have to be a springboard.

It is worth mentioning, in addition to adding more wrinkles and approaches in the offense, the Steelers front 5 have to produce more. Yes, they aren’t allowing many sacks, but they also aren’t delivering in the run game.

Though I blame Randy for his lack of creativity and predictable play calling, there have been moments where the O-Line simply is getting beat off the line of scrimmage. This has to improve.

If there is no ground game, it is hard on your young quarterback to be productive–they got to have that support. Even Ben needed that in his first year starting. The Bengals are a defense that is susceptible to the run game and pass game.

If the Steelers can’t dominate, even with a thinned out receiver corps, it will be disappointing. Randy’s seat should be warm, but it will be very hot at that point.

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