All Bengals Staff Makes Picks For Week 10 Matchup With Pittsburgh Steelers

Cincinnati is hoping to improve to 6-4 on the season.

Author:
James Rapien
Updated:
Nov 19, 2022 11:27 AM EST
Original:
Nov 19, 2022

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals are hoping to pick up their first AFC North win of the season on Sunday in Pittsburgh. They're favored in the matchup.

Will they get it done? Here are our staff predictions:

Elise Jesse, All Bengals Insider

Season Record: 5-4

Kenny Pickett earned his first win as a starter last week against the New Orleans Saints 20-10, and the Steelers are looking for another win on Sunday at home in hopes of jumping the Browns in the AFC North Standings. I'm expecting the Bengals to come out and execute at a high level due to the fact that they've all gotten the chance to rest and prepare to exact some revenge on Pittsburgh after their home opening nightmare.

It's safe to assume that Joe Burrow will look drastically different than he did in Week 1 when he threw four interceptions just six weeks removed from an emergency appendectomy. In four straight games Burrow has posted a 70% completion rate or higher. With T.J. Watt back in the mix for the Steelers, Burrow will need to get the ball out as fast as possible. Watt is not a player who can be neutralized and they'll need to prove as an offense that they can still find ways to be successful against high impact defenders and leaning into the run game again on Sunday will help that effort.

DJ Reader is coming back just in time to help contain Najee Harris who had 99 rushing yards on 8 carries last week. Stopping the run and forcing Pittsburgh into relying on Pickett to beat them through the air should only play into Lou Anarumo's hand. This is a must win game, the Bengals simply cannot go 0-4 in their division. That would be an unacceptable scenario given the talent on this roster. I say it's another close one, but the Bengals leave Acrisure Stadium with a win.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 23

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Russ Heltman, All Bengals Contributor

Season Record: 4-5

Can the Bengals' rush attack piece together consecutive strong outings? They'll likely have to against a defensive blueprint built to slow down elite passers like Burrow.

With Watt back and Minkah Fitzpatrick trending the right way, Pittsburgh could be healthy on defense for the first time all season (didn’t have Damontae Kazee Week 1). I have zero confidence the Bengals can cover this number against one of the best defenses they'll face by year's end, but they'll eke out an ugly win.

The run game can travel just enough to weather a great game from Watt and at least four sacks by the Steelers. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year changes the whole equation, evident by New Orleans' putrid 186 total yards last week

Alex Highsmith gets more one-on-ones, Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi get single-teamed, go on down the line, and every Steelers defender has an increased margin for error with Watt playing and commanding extra attention. Since Watt's rookie year, the Steelers' splits with him and without him are drastic.

With Watt: 53-24-2 W/L record, 20.4 points per game allowed, 3.4 sacks per game
Without Watt: 1-10 record, 26.2 PPG allowed, 1.1 SPG

On top of those splits, Mike Tomlin has never lost against the spread as a home divisional underdog and is 7-2 straight up as an underdog against the Bengals. Burrow will make just enough throws during a shaky day, and Cincinnati leans on the run game to scrap together a field-goal-heavy win.

Prediction: Bengals 23, Steelers 20

Nicole Zembrodt, All Bengals Contributor

Season Record: 5-4

Cincinnati's offensive line has shown improvement throughout the season, but have struggled against other elite pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons. For Cincinnati to come away with a win, they will have to dominate in the trenches against Watt and company.

The Bengals keep Pittsburgh's front-seven in check enough to come out with their first division victory on the road.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 23

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Blake Jewell, All Bengals Contributor

Season Record: 6-3

Coming off the bye week and getting healthier is crucial for the Bengals in their rematch with the Steelers. I think they have a solid offensive performance, but their defense will shine, getting a boost from Reader’s return. I think they will force a couple turnovers and keep Najee Harris in check to secure the win.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 17

Mike Santagata, All Bengals Film Analyst

Season Record: 5-4

The Bengals have gotten healthier out of the bye week. Adding star nose tackle Reader back to an already impressive unit should give the Steelers issues.

Despite losing to this team at home in Week 1, I think they do enough to win this game. They shouldn't turn the ball over 5 times in this game. It could be an annoying game for Bengals fans as it's tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter, but ultimately the Bengals offense will prevail.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Steelers 17

Lindsay Patterson, All Bengals Contributor

Season Record: 5-4

The Bengals are sitting at 0-3 in the AFC North. The club is coming off the bye with Reader and Mike Hilton returning to give the defense a boost. It feels like the playoffs start on Sunday for the Bengals with a tough back-half of the schedule. I'm taking the Bengals in this one, but I think it's still close with Watt and Fitzpatrick both on the field for Pittsburgh. Everyone knows the impact they had in the first week, but I think the Bengals can balance out the offense. I don't trust the Steelers with Pickett at quarterback.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 17

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Andrew Miller, All Bengals Video Editor

Season Record: 5-4

The Bengals dropped 42 points on the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 and are now rested from the bye. Cincinnati needs to break their AFC North losing streak and should find success in doing so against Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Steelers are a better team than their 3-6 record suggests, but the same can be said about the 5-4 Bengals, who limped into the regular season and barely lost to Pittsburgh in Week 1. Joe Mixon won't see rushing totals like we saw in Week 9, but I expect Burrow to pick up where he left off and keep the offense humming.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 23

James Yarcho, All Bengals Contributor

Season Record: 5-4

Coming off the bye, revenge and redemption is the only thing on the minds of the Bengals. After suffering a stunning upset at the hands of the Steelers in Week 1, Cincinnati can continue it's quest for the AFC North title and will do what they should have done the first time around.

Expect big performances from Tee Higgins and Mixon, as both will hit over 100 yards and reach the end zone, while the defense forces at least two turnovers.

Prediction: Bengals 34, Steelers 10

James Rapien, All Bengals Publisher

Season Record: 5-4

This is a must-win for the Bengals. They need to get a win in the division and start to separate themselves from the middle tier of the AFC.

Burrow gets going early, the offense moves the ball up and down the field, but they're forced to settle for four field goal attempts. The good news is Evan McPherson bounces back in a big way and Cincinnati wins in Pittsburgh for a second consecutive season.

Prediction: Bengals 26, Steelers 17

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