Bengals at Steelers: Three Keys to Victory
CINCINNATI — Sunday's game between the Bengals and Steelers has been circled on my calendar for months because it marks the start of AFC North play. It's Cincinnati's first chance to stake their claim in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.
Like I’ve said a million times, if you can’t win in your division, you’re going to be sitting on your couch watching the playoffs, instead of competing which is a place no player or coach wants to be after working their tails off all season.
The Bengals need to prove themselves on the road, but earning a win over the Steelers at Heinz Field will be nothing short of a Mount Everest type of task.
These rivalry games have been ugly throughout the years. More specifically, I would compare three of the last four Bengals-Steelers games to the analogy of an average Joe Schmoe off the street going up against James Harrison in an Oklahoma drill. You know where I’m going with this—the other guy was not prepared or trained for this moment—he leaves with a significant injury. Mr. Schmoe leaves licking his chops after the whole team just watched him lose.
Hear me out, I’m not trying to be a jerk with that analogy, but it feels wrong to sugarcoat the current reality. The stats simply cannot be ignored.
Taylor is 1-3 against the Steelers, who have outscored his offense 96-50 through four games. The third year head coach is also 2-10 against AFC North opponents. Now's the time to start beating Mike Tomlin’s Steelers. There are no more excuses.
Changes to the coaching staff have been made and the roster has been flipped, it's time to win.
With that ugly reality addressed, let’s get to three keys to Sunday's matchup:
Surprise Mike Tomlin
This seems like a nearly impossible task, there’s a reason why Tomlin ranks among the NFL's longest-tenured active head coaches in the league. Tomlin and Keith Butler have a combined 42 years of coaching experience. Not much fazes them.
When he was hired, Taylor had a reputation for being an offensive juggernaut after spending the 2018 season as Jared Goff’s quarterback coach and helping the young quarterback make the Pro Bowl. That team made a Siper Bowl run, but fell short against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Taylor needs to show aggression and creativity in his play-calling on Sunday.
Strong Start on D
Cincinnati’s defense has been carrying the team so far in 2021, keeping them in games, and giving the Bengals multiple chances to win. This unit will need to make big stops early and often. Everybody in the league knows what Ben Roethlisberger is capable of when he’s comfortable in the pocket. Getting after Big Ben is a must if the Bengals are going to pull off the upset.
Protect the Rock
The Steelers will look to suffocate Joe Burrow on Sunday by hitting him over and over and over again, much like they did in 2020. I would expect Butler to bring the blitz and focus on creating turnovers. Something they’ve been quite good at through two games in 2021 with five forced fumbles.
Committing multiple turnovers as the Bengals did against Chicago last week (4) will most certainly send them to a 1-2 start to the season.
Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more with the season opener just a few days away!
You May Also Like:
All Bengals Staff Gives Picks For Sunday's Game in Pittsburgh
Tee Higgins and Trae Waynes Are Both "Doubtful for Sunday's Game
Joe Burrow on Hits: "It is What it is
Watch: Trae Waynes, Tee Higgins and Xavier Su'a-Filo Work Out at Practice
Film Breakdown: A Look at Passing Concepts the Bengals Should Utilize
Zac Taylor Betting Favorite to be First NFL Head Coach Fired This Season
Injury Updates: Tee Higgins, Xavier Su'a-Filo and Trae Waynes
Bengals Rookie Ja'Marr Chase Off to Record-Setting Start This Season
Zac Taylor Worried About Sacks, Not Hits That Joe Burrow is Taking
Bengals Add Familiar Face in Offensive Line Room
Trae Waynes Working Out, Hoping to Return From Injured Hamstring
Bengals Open as Underdogs to Steelers in Week 3
Dave Lapham Weighs in on the State of the Offensive Line
Three Down Look: Bengals Flop Against Bears in Windy City
Randy Moss Says He's Still Got it: 'I'll Score a Touchdown on These Fools"
T.J. Watt Could Play Against Bengals Despite Groin Injury
Four Takeaways From the Bengals' Loss to the Bears
Snap Count Breakdown From Cincinnati's 20-17 Loss to Chicago
Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase Offer Solution to Struggles on Offense
Joe Mixon Vows to be Better Following Loss to Bears
Winners and Losers from the Bengals' 20-17 Loss to Chicago
Postgame Observations: Bengals Lose to Bears 20-17
-----
Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!
Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals
