4 burning questions Steelers must answer vs. Bengals

After suffering a brutal loss in week two, the Steelers must find a way to answer these four questions against the Bengals.

The Steelers left their week two matchup with the Raiders with far more questions than answers. The team struggled to move the ball on offense and injuries to the defense allowed for a large offensive onslaught from Las Vegas. Now, entering a critical divisional game, the Steelers have to find a way to get the team back on track and back to their winning ways. Here are four burning questions the Steelers have to answer against the Bengals.

Can Steelers get to Burrow?

While the Steelers pass rush has been instrumental in this defense playing as well as it has, they don’t really have a big sack number at this point in the season. In total, the team has logged five sacks, with three going to T.J. Watt, and one respectively going to Cameron Heyward and Melvin Ingram. This week against the Bengals, the team has to capitalize and add to their sack numbers.

While not needed for a win, having a dominant pass rush akin to their week one performance will be key in shutting down the Bengals’ offense. Joe Burrow has already been sacked nine times, and his line has done him little in terms of giving him a clean pocket. While he has been efficient when given the time, a fierce pass-rush should disrupt his game.

Despite the injuries to the unit heading into the week, the front-seven should be thrilled at the upcoming matchup. Watt can add to his impressive total, and Alex Highsmith may be able to get his first sack of the year given the number of pressures he has forced (assuming either play, more on that later though). This is a matchup that greatly favors the defense, and the Steelers should let their pass-rushers get after it this week.