DB’s Steelers-Bengals Preview: Can Pittsburgh’s Defense Slow Down Joe Burrow and Company?
When Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers squad heads to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Sunday, they’ll be betting underdogs despite a much better record on the season. As previously discussed, the defense has a much tougher down the stretch and this passing attack spearheaded by Joe Burrow is certainly no exception to that. Zac Taylor’s Bengals have underperformed this season despite a high-flying passing attack that’s capable of scoring with pretty much anyone but things have been borderline-disastrous on the defensive side of the ball lately. The question is whether or not the Russell Wilson-led Steelers offense can take advantage of what should be a great opportunity to get back on the right track after they’ve failed to crack 20 points in either of their last two outings.
SN analyst Derrick Bell breaks down everything you need to know about this game, specific matchups that will likely decide the outcome, schematic tendencies at play and what needs to happen in order for the Steelers to come out victorious and remain on top of the AFC North standings. When combing through the conference landscape, their place in the playoff picture is very secure but with the Baltimore Ravens applying pressure in the divisional standings, every game is important in order to secure a home playoff game in January. After sweeping this series last year, can Pittsburgh stay hot against their rival?
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Related: Bell: Watt, Steelers Pass Rush Must Get Back to Dominating
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