Steelers: 4 Bengals players fans should watch out for today
By Shayne Kubas
Steelers must avoid NT D.J. Reader
D.J. Reader is big, big man. Standing at 6’3, 347lbs, he is one of the heaviest players in the league. He put that size to good use as both a defensive end and nose tackle for the Texans after being selected in the fifth round in 2016. Once his rookie deal was up after the 2019 season, the Bengals swooped in and signed him to a 4-year, $53 million contract. While some considered it an overpay for a primarily run defense player, the Bengals desperately needed help in that area.
Unfortunately for Reader and the Bengals, he suffered a season-ending quad injury just five games into his first season with the team last year. Now that he is back in the lineup, their run defense has looked fantastic to start the season. For reference, they allowed a pitiful 5.1 yards per carry last season. Through 2 games against excellent backs Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery, they are allowing just 3.4 a carry.
It isn’t a coincidence that the Bengals have started the year so strong against the run. With Reader back and taking up blocks, their young linebackers have a much easier time staying clean. He even has shown a bit of pass rush ability early, getting the first sack of his Bengal career against Chicago last week. With Pittsburgh still struggling to get anything going on the ground, this likely isn’t the week to expect that to change.
The passing game is going to have to be the focal point once again, and with both Diontae Johnson and Ben Roethlisberger nursing injuries, that has the potential to be a big problem. If the defense is holding firm in the first half, I hope they stay committed to running the ball even if it isn’t very effective. This offensive line needs the reps to develop before we can expect much to change. Ben not being 100% also makes it important to not have him throw 50 times like he has been since the end of last year.
Trending. 3 Steelers who could see a depth chart demotion soon. light
Overall, this is a better Bengal team than the one that beat us in week 15 last year. On top of the players mentioned here, Joe Burrow has returned and the offensive line should be at least a bit better with the addition of Riley Reiff. I still believe the Steelers have the better roster overall, and if they can limit the impact of their top players then they will have a great chance this Sunday.