The AFC North is a stacked division, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals sit atop the standings, with both teams owning a 6-2 record. The Steelers are traveling to play the Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.
Thankfully for the Steelers, they should be rested coming off their bye. Not only should they be ready to roll, but they need their offense to elevate their play, as the Bengals have an all-world offense on that side.
To come away with a win, Pittsburgh needs to find a way to move the ball and score at a minimum, 28 points to win.
Pittsburgh Steelers could be in serious trouble if offense falters against Bengals
Cincinnati's offense has been stellar thus far. They enter this game ranked seventh in total offense (371.1), first in passing offense (285.5), and second in scoring offense (30.0 points per game). Quarterback Joe Burrow is supported by receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They have scored 30-plus points in four straight games and look like they are on another level.
When a team is moving the ball like that, with that level of consistency, you need your offense to make that level of production, and that's the case here. While the Steelers have been able to stack wins this year, the defense has been the better of the two units.
Pittsburgh's defense is seventh in total defense (305.6), 16th in pass defense (221.8), third in run defense (83.9), and tied for fourth in scoring defense (18 points allowed per game).
Meanwhile, on the offensive end, they are 15th in total offense (328.4), 19th in pass offense (210.5), 11th in rush offense (117.9), and 17th in scoring offense (22.5 points per game).
Those stats aren't good enough, and if the Steelers want to sweep the Bengals and take firm control of first place, Aaron Rodgers and company will need to play one of their best games this season.
Steelers offense must answer the call in pivotal game
The Steelers haven't scored more than three touchdowns over the last three wins. They've had to settle for a lot of field goals, which was good enough against the Bucs, Saints, and Browns offenses. None of those teams have the collection of talent and quarterback play that the Bengals do, so they were able to get away with it.
Running back Jaylen Warren has single-handedly carried this offense throughout the year, as he's sixth in the NFL in rushing yards (704) with two rushing touchdowns. Warren is also 1st in the NFL with 5.9 yards per carry. Let's not forget his impact as a receiver, logging 25 catches for 294 yards.
While that is great, Pittsburgh will need a vintage Aaron Rodgers performance in this one. Finding ways to take smart and calculated shots downfield will be crucial. In the Week 3 win over Cincinnati, Rodgers finished with 292 yards and three passing touchdowns.
The Steelers finished with 30 points and came away with a three-point win. At the same time, Burrow threw three passing touchdowns, but he committed a costly fumble, leading to Pittsburgh's win.
The race in the AFC North is extremely tight, and if the Steelers want to secure a win in this contest, the offense will need to put points on the board. Whether that's on the ground or through the air, they need to figure it out.
Especially since the Bengals defense goes into this game ranked 25th in total defense (354.9) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9 points allowed per game). They have been a bend-don't-break unit, but the Steelers will need to make that dam flood.
Because if they don't, it could end up being a tough matchup in primetime.
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