The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extended break heading into this week’s game with the Cincinnati Bengals. On paper this one seems like an easy one for the Steelers despite being a road game as the Bengals sit at 0-10 and Pittsburgh is fighting for a playoff spot. But as we’ve seen from the Steelers this year, nothing is easy.
Here are three big worries this week.
The Bengals have nothing to lose
The Bengals have officially been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this week with their loss to the Oakland Raiders. This is a team playing literally with nothing to lose. That’s dangerous, especially for a team like Pittsburgh who has gotten off to slow starts all season long.
Too many injuries
There’s a chance the Steelers will be without their best running back and two best receivers this week. I don’t care how bad the Bengals may or may not be, I don’t know where points will come from if this happens. Wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson both suffered concussions on Thursday and James Conner re-aggravated his shoulder injury.
Mason Rudolph isn’t ready
Last week we saw what was hopefully the worst of quarterback Mason Rudolph this season. His four interceptions to only one touchdown was a huge factor in the team’s inability to generate any offense. It’s doubtful the Steelers will look to Devlin Hodges this week so we just have to hope Rudolph has shaken off that miserable performance. Because if he hasn’t, the Steelers don’t stand a chance.
