As the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals in a crucial Week 7 prime-time clash, several key storylines emerge. Both teams come into this matchup with significant factors influencing their performance.
Joe Flacco’s Impact on the Bengals
Joe Flacco, recently traded from the Cleveland Browns, made his debut as the Bengals’ starting quarterback. Despite initial struggles in his first few drives, Flacco rebounded impressively after halftime. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 179 yards and threw a critical touchdown pass on a fourth-and-goal situation against the Green Bay Packers.
Tee Higgins had an outstanding performance, showcasing his skills as a top receiver. Ja’Marr Chase also found his rhythm by catching a touchdown in the fourth quarter. With Flacco at the helm, Cincinnati’s offense appeared to regain some momentum, although issues persisted with dropped passes from Andrei Iosivas. The Steelers’ secondary, featuring Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Jalen Ramsey, will be crucial in defending against Higgins and Chase.
Steelers’ Defensive Progress
The Steelers’ defense has shown marked improvement, especially in pass rush capabilities. Over the past three games, they have racked up 20 sacks, including six in their last matchup. In contrast, the Bengals have given up 16 sacks this season but managed to limit the Packers to just one sack with Flacco under center.
Key Players in the Steelers’ Defense:
- T.J. Watt: The prominent sack leader for the Steelers.
- Nick Herbig: The team’s leading sacker with 4.5 sacks in the last three weeks.
The Bengals’ offensive line, particularly tackles Orlando Brown and Amarius Mims, has struggled, contributing to their vulnerability in pass protection. Brown allowed a sack last week, although Mims has improved his performance recently.
Bengals’ Run Game Challenges
The Bengals have faced difficulties in their rushing attack, failing to exceed 85 rushing yards in any game this season. This presents a significant challenge as they aim to find balance between the pass and run. Players like Chase Brown will need to step up to mitigate pressure on Flacco and support the offense effectively.
As the Steelers and Bengals prepare to clash in this pivotal showdown, both teams will need to address their respective strengths and weaknesses. The outcome could hinge on Flacco’s adjustment to his new role and the effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s defensive strategy against Cincinnati’s talented wide receivers.
