Preview of Steelers Week 15 match-up against the Bengals
Key Matchup
Steelers vs. emotional overflow. When these two teams first met in Week 2, Vontaze Burfict, the villainous outside linebacker, who was responsible for ending the seasons of both running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Antonio Brown (and trying to do the same to star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) in 2015, was serving a suspension for those transgressions (and countless more). However, he’s back and, if his dirty stomp on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount earlier in the season was any indication, hasn’t been rehabbed into a respectable citizen on the football field. Therefore, he and the rest of a 5-7-1 Cincinnati squad that will miss the playoffs this year and extend its streak of not winning a game in the postseason to 26 seasons, may want to exact revenge on Pittsburgh for the wild card defeat in January (even if, who are we kidding, Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones had about as much to do with the Bengals losing as the black and gold did). If the Steelers succumb to emotions or try to play down to the possible dirty antics of someone like Burfict, this could lead to a crippling late-season loss.
AROUND COVER32
QB Rankings: The QB position is as strong as it’s ever been
Winners and Losers:: The playoff picture narrows
Mailbag:: Is it fair to worry about Gronk’s long-term future?
Bell and Steelers dominate Bills: Bell rushes for 236, as Steelers knock off Bills
Big Ben cracks the top 10: Roethlisberger moves into 10th place all-time in passing yardage
Steelers kind of on the rise: Steelers climb in (some) NFL power rankings
The Steelers Win If…
The Steelers never seem to have enough offensive fire-power to score a lot of points against a Cincinnati defense that has a pretty talented secondary and front-seven. In the previous match-up on September 18, the Bengals pressured Roethlisberger a lot even if they didn’t take him to the ground very much. While Pittsburgh controlled most of the game, the Bengals defense kept things close, thanks to two interceptions. However, unlike previous seasons, Cincinnati’s defense isn’t so opportunistic this year, with just 18 takeaways. If the offense can simply take care of the football, yards and enough points should be there for the taking. The Bengals might be eighth against the pass, but much like a week ago when Buffalo was the opponent, that might be because they’re 25th against the run. Simply stick to the game plan that has proven successful over this current four-game winning-streak (lots and lots of Bell), and this should be enough to achieve victory in one of the few road venues that has proven to be hospitable to Pittsburgh in recent years.
As for the defense, with no A.J. Green at receiver, that’s going to severely limit Cincinnati’s weapons. And with quarterback Andy Dalton normally under siege more often than not these days (36 sacks through 13 games), by simply applying the pressure that’s been prevalent in recent weeks, even after the season-ending injury to star defensive end Cameron Heyward, Keith Butler’s crew should be able to disrupt things just enough to create a key turnover or two.
The Steelers Lose If…
With so much recent bad blood between these two teams, it seems unlikely Pittsburgh would overlook the Bengals. But, again, with so much recent bad blood between these two teams, Cincinnati might be able to bait the Steelers into a street fight, similar to the ugly affair that took place in the playoff game some 11 months ago. If that happens on Sunday, all bets are off, and it’s anyone’s game.
Fantasy Tip
A week after setting the Steelers single-game rushing mark with 236 yards, if you’re lucky enough to have Bell going against the 25th ranked run defense, this could be your ticket to the next round of the fantasy playoffs.
What’s At Stake
It’s simple: If the Steelers win, they’ll stay at least one game up on the Ravens, with Baltimore coming to Heinz Field one week later, for a critical AFC North match-up.
Odds-makers
Line: Steelers -3 1/s
O/U: 45
Steelers -155/Bengals +155
Key Matchup
Steelers vs. emotional overflow. When these two teams first met in Week 2, Vontaze Burfict, the villainous outside linebacker, who was responsible for ending the seasons of both running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Antonio Brown (and trying to do the same to star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) in 2015, was serving a suspension for those transgressions (and countless more). However, he’s back and, if his dirty stomp on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount earlier in the season was any indication, hasn’t been rehabbed into a respectable citizen on the football field. Therefore, he and the rest of a 5-7-1 Cincinnati squad that will miss the playoffs this year and extend its streak of not winning a game in the postseason to 26 seasons, may want to exact revenge on Pittsburgh for the wild card defeat in January (even if, who are we kidding, Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones had about as much to do with the Bengals losing as the black and gold did). If the Steelers succumb to emotions or try to play down to the possible dirty antics of someone like Burfict, this could lead to a crippling late-season loss.
AROUND COVER32
QB Rankings: The QB position is as strong as it’s ever been
Winners and Losers:: The playoff picture narrows
Mailbag:: Is it fair to worry about Gronk’s long-term future?
Bell and Steelers dominate Bills: Bell rushes for 236, as Steelers knock off Bills
Big Ben cracks the top 10: Roethlisberger moves into 10th place all-time in passing yardage
Steelers kind of on the rise: Steelers climb in (some) NFL power rankings
The Steelers Win If…
The Steelers never seem to have enough offensive fire-power to score a lot of points against a Cincinnati defense that has a pretty talented secondary and front-seven. In the previous match-up on September 18, the Bengals pressured Roethlisberger a lot even if they didn’t take him to the ground very much. While Pittsburgh controlled most of the game, the Bengals defense kept things close, thanks to two interceptions. However, unlike previous seasons, Cincinnati’s defense isn’t so opportunistic this year, with just 18 takeaways. If the offense can simply take care of the football, yards and enough points should be there for the taking. The Bengals might be eighth against the pass, but much like a week ago when Buffalo was the opponent, that might be because they’re 25th against the run. Simply stick to the game plan that has proven successful over this current four-game winning-streak (lots and lots of Bell), and this should be enough to achieve victory in one of the few road venues that has proven to be hospitable to Pittsburgh in recent years.
As for the defense, with no A.J. Green at receiver, that’s going to severely limit Cincinnati’s weapons. And with quarterback Andy Dalton normally under siege more often than not these days (36 sacks through 13 games), by simply applying the pressure that’s been prevalent in recent weeks, even after the season-ending injury to star defensive end Cameron Heyward, Keith Butler’s crew should be able to disrupt things just enough to create a key turnover or two.
The Steelers Lose If…
With so much recent bad blood between these two teams, it seems unlikely Pittsburgh would overlook the Bengals. But, again, with so much recent bad blood between these two teams, Cincinnati might be able to bait the Steelers into a street fight, similar to the ugly affair that took place in the playoff game some 11 months ago. If that happens on Sunday, all bets are off, and it’s anyone’s game.
Fantasy Tip
A week after setting the Steelers single-game rushing mark with 236 yards, if you’re lucky enough to have Bell going against the 25th ranked run defense, this could be your ticket to the next round of the fantasy playoffs.
What’s At Stake
It’s simple: If the Steelers win, they’ll stay at least one game up on the Ravens, with Baltimore coming to Heinz Field one week later, for a critical AFC North match-up.
Odds-makers
Line: Steelers -3 1/s
O/U: 45
Steelers -155/Bengals +155
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