The lights will shine bright as the Cincinnati Bengals will take center stage on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh this week. Who could help decide which team gets their first win of the season?
WR Auden Tate
After a quiet first two weeks, Tate became heavily involved in the Bengals offense in Week 3 against the Bills, seeing 10 targets and hauling in seven receptions in a tough loss. Tate looks healthy and looks ready to be a factor for Zac Taylor, especially with A.J. Green continuing to miss time. The Bengals really need Tate this week if they’re going to avoid 0-4.
K Randy Bullock
We don’t often talk about kickers as major factors, but this game could be very close, as these games usually are, and a late field goal could very well decide the outcome. No pressure, but any missed field goal from Bullock in a game like this could make all the difference in Cincinnati’s chances to win this week. And Bullock has two misses this year, both from at least 40 and 50 yards out.
S Terrell Edmunds
The Bengals have been getting better at moving the ball on offense, meaning the Steelers need to tackle and keep the Bengals offense off the field. Fortunately for the Steelers, they get their prized rookie linebacker Devin Bush back this week. But Terrell Edmunds has been very important to Pittsburgh’s defense as well, entering this week as their second-leading tackler. It’ll be up to Edmunds to keep Cincinnati in check if Pittsburgh is going to end their winless streak.
WR Diontae Johnson
The Steelers’ rookie wide receiver has quietly begun making a name for himself, averaging five targets per game. He also scored his first career touchdown last week against the 49ers. With the continued struggles of Donte Moncrief, the Steelers are looking for someone to step up after Juju Smith-Schuster. Johnson is still developing but has the tools. The Bengals better keep a close eye on Johnson and not let themselves focus too much on Juju and James Washington.
