The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals enter their Week 10 matchup with plenty of similarities. Both teams are 6-2, on four-game winning streaks, and would take over first place in the AFC North with a win on Sunday. Despite those similarities, how they have gotten here couldn't be more different.
Pittsburgh has found its identity by leaning on the run game, with Jaylen Warren playing like an All-Pro and Rico Dowdle doing his part behind him. At the same time, the defense has shut down opposing rushing attacks. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has predictably relied upon quarterback Joe Burrow and his dynamic receiving duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to overwhelm opposing defenses.
Which side of the coin has the advantage this week? How will injuries, the weather, and potential storylines impact the outcome? Bookmark this page and follow along as the biggest game of both teams' seasons draws near.
- How to Watch Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
- Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report for Week 10
- Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report for Week 10
- Weather Forecast for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
- Biggest Pittsburgh Steelers Storylines heading into Week 10
- Predictions for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
How to Watch Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 15th
- Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
- TV Network: NBC
- Announcers: Mike Tirico (Play-by-Play), Cris Collinsworth (Color Analyst), Melissa Stark (Sideline Reporter)
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report for Week 10
Name | Position | Injury | Wednesday (11/11) |
|---|---|---|---|
Ben Skowronek | WR | Calf | FP |
DeShon Elliott | S | Ankle | LP |
Brandin Echols | CB | Hamstring | FP |
Doneiko Slaughter | CB | Hamstring | FP |
Darnell Washington | TE | NIR/Rest | DNP |
T.J. Watt | LB | NIR/Rest | DNP |
Cam Heyward | DT | NIR/Rest | DNP |
Derrick Harmon | DT | Foot | LP |
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report for Week 10
Name | Position | Injury | Wednesday (11/11) |
|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Allen | DT | NIR/Rest | DNP |
Kyle Dugger | S | Quadricep | DNP |
Dylan Fairchild | G | Pectoral | LP |
DJ. Turner II | CB | Ankle | LP |
Weather Forecast for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
Current Forecast (via NFLWeather.com)
- Temperature: 42 degrees
- Wind Speed: 0 mph
- Precipitation: Partly cloudy
Biggest Pittsburgh Steelers Storylines heading into Week 10
Can the Steelers secondary withstand the Bengals aerial assault?
When these teams faced off back in Week 3, Burrow mostly had his way with the Steelers' secondary. He finished 28 of 37 for 282 yards and three touchdowns, and Chase and Burrow both finished with over 90 yards and a score.
If it weren't for a game-ending strip-sack from Derrick Harmon, Pittsburgh very well could have lost. Since that game, the Bengals' passing game has somehow reached an even higher level. Burrow is second in the NFL in expected points added (EPA) per play since Week 4, according to Sumer Sports, only behind Texans QB C.J. Stroud. If the Steelers are going to sweep their season series against Cincinnati, slowing down their passing game is a must.
Will the lack of trade deadline additions immediately come back to haunt Pittsburgh?
Steelers general manager Omar Khan made the controversial decision to stand pat at the NFL trade deadline, and fans will be watching closely this week to see if his lack of aggression leads to a disappointing loss. While it's hard to imagine a scenario where a potential trade addition would have definitely swung the game in the Steelers' favor, any struggles that either the secondary or passing game displays in this game will leave fans frustrated.
Until Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson return from their injured reserve stints, however, making any sweeping claims about Khan failing his team will be unfair in my opinion.
Can the Steelers take advantage of the Bengals poor run defense?
The path to victory for Pittsburgh in Week 10 is the same as it has been all season. If their run game can take over the game from the start, and their run defense makes the Bengals one-dimensional (more than they already are, at least), they should have a solid chance to pull off the road upset.
Luckily for the Steelers, run defense is where Cincinnati is most vulnerable. Since they last faced off, the Bengals' run defense ranks 30th in EPA allowed per rush. Some of those struggles are due to a big day on the ground from Dolphins' QB Malik Willis, but they would still rank poorly even without that outlier. Head coach Mike McCarthy needs to stay committed to the run this week, even if the Bengals jump out to a lead.
Predictions for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
ESPN Experts
- Matt Bowen - Bengals
- Dan Graziano - Bengals
- Kalyn Kahler - Bengals
- Pamela Maldonado - Steelers
- Mike Clay - Bengals
- Jason Reid - Bengals
- Eric Moody - Bengals
NFL Media Experts
- Grant Gordon - Steelers
- Bucky Brooks - Bengals
- Colleen Wolfe - Bengals
- Brandon Perna - Bengals
- Brooke Cersosimo - Steelers
- Dan Parr - Bengals
- Kevin Patra - Steelers
- Lance Zierlein - Bengals
- Tom Grossi - Steelers
- Nick Shook - Bengals
CBS Sports
- Pete Prisco - Bengals
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