09-26-2021, 12:03 PM
The Steelers will possibly try to get their run game going vs the Bengals. I think this is a mistake and will play into the hands of the improved and likely to get better defense. Problem is, the Bengals have zero offensive identity to counter at the moment.
It all boils down to whether last week was a wake up call for Taylor and his play calling issues. Has it sunken in that playing to keep your QB from getting hit is A: not achieving that intended purpose, and B: Not producing an effective offense? To that end, is Burrow mentally/physically capable of playing at a high level under pressure? He's not hitting the tight-window throws he did as a rookie even with a loaded receiving corps and a better group up front. Even a larger commitment to the run has not done much to help. The Steelers defense is still no joke even minus Watt. They will likely key in on Mxon and try to make Burrow prove he can hurt them in the passing game. Can he answer the bell? I have no idea at this point. If he does, the Bengals should win this game all day long. If he can't I don't know why he's being run out there in the condition he's in.
On the other end, the Bengals should be able to take Harris out of the equation and force Ben to beat them, mirroring Pittsburgh's strategy on defense. How bad is Ben really hurt? If he's as bad off as rumored, this should again be no problem. We've seen a significantly worse defense easily handle a depleted Ben in 2020.
Is this a rope-a-dope move by the Steelers? Will fatty come out and sling it all over the field while the Bengals load the box? He shouldn't be able to do that if he's injured badly and the Bengals get pressure vs a weak Pittsburgh line.
Like the season, it all rests on Taylor figuring out how to call a decent NFL game vs a superior coach and Burrow to return to post-injury form.
I'll go Bengals 24, Pittsburgh 19.
It all boils down to whether last week was a wake up call for Taylor and his play calling issues. Has it sunken in that playing to keep your QB from getting hit is A: not achieving that intended purpose, and B: Not producing an effective offense? To that end, is Burrow mentally/physically capable of playing at a high level under pressure? He's not hitting the tight-window throws he did as a rookie even with a loaded receiving corps and a better group up front. Even a larger commitment to the run has not done much to help. The Steelers defense is still no joke even minus Watt. They will likely key in on Mxon and try to make Burrow prove he can hurt them in the passing game. Can he answer the bell? I have no idea at this point. If he does, the Bengals should win this game all day long. If he can't I don't know why he's being run out there in the condition he's in.
On the other end, the Bengals should be able to take Harris out of the equation and force Ben to beat them, mirroring Pittsburgh's strategy on defense. How bad is Ben really hurt? If he's as bad off as rumored, this should again be no problem. We've seen a significantly worse defense easily handle a depleted Ben in 2020.
Is this a rope-a-dope move by the Steelers? Will fatty come out and sling it all over the field while the Bengals load the box? He shouldn't be able to do that if he's injured badly and the Bengals get pressure vs a weak Pittsburgh line.
Like the season, it all rests on Taylor figuring out how to call a decent NFL game vs a superior coach and Burrow to return to post-injury form.
I'll go Bengals 24, Pittsburgh 19.
