This has been a season of intense highs and lows for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Somehow, despite all the problems this team has had, they find themselves at 5-5 and still in the mix for a playoff spot. Standing in their way this week are the 0-10 Cincinnati Bengals who have nothing to play for but the pride in knowing they beat their most hated rivals.
With all the injuries the Steelers are dealing with right now, getting past Cincinnati won’t be easy. Here are the Steelers keys to victory.
A maximum effort from the offensive line
The Steelers’ offense has been miserable all season. They have yet to produce a 300-yard passer and only one 100-yard rusher. The best unit on the offense is the offensive line and if they want to beat the Bengals they have to carry a beat-up group of skill-position players.
The defense must step up
Perhaps the most significant factor in the Steelers loss to the Browns was just how poorly the defense played. The Steelers failed to create any turnovers and only generated one sack. The Bengals have a -11 turnover ratio and given up 36 sacks so the defense should feast.
Rudolph to Washington
Washington has 208 receiving yards and 13 receptions in the last three games. With JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson both dealing with concussions, Washington is going to be the best weapon Mason Rudolph has. They must connect early and often.
Run the football
Even if Benny Snell Jr. doesn’t make it back this week, Pittsburgh must run the ball with conviction. The Bengals have the worst run defense in the league and it would be gross mismanagement of this matchup for the Steelers to just come out throwing the football against a porous run defense like this one.
