10-16-2017, 12:50 PM
Why the Bengals will win:
1. They've had two weeks to prepare for this game as opposed to Pgh, which will only have a few days.
2. They are as rested as they will be all season.
3. The Steelers are coming off a very physical road game in Kansas City and will most likely not practice today (Monday)
4. Steelers have two starters on their OL injured and are probably out for Sunday.
5. While still early in the season, this should be considered a must win game for Cincy. Not so for Pgh.
6. Bengals seem to play Pgh tougher at Heinz that they do at home.
7. Even if the Steelers move the ball up and down the field, they're not real efficient in the red zone....about 50%
Why the Steelers will win:
1. Their defense seems to be improved from last year.
2. The three B's seem to be (slowly) returning to form.
3. They're home, so they won't have to worry about being pelted with beer cans.
4. The Steelers historically start slow and get stronger as the season progresses. This will be game #7.
5. Offensive line seems to be pretty solid, even with Gilbert out.
6. Bengals red zone efficiency is worse than the Steelers
7. Talk of a total implosion of the team MAY have been a bit premature.
Both teams have been up and down so far. It all comes down to which version of the two teams show up. With two weeks of rest and preparation, if the Bengals come out flat (unlikely), they deserve to lose. If they play like they did against GB, they will win. If the Steelers come out flat (more likely), they will lose. If they play like they did against KC, they will win, and spend as much time in the Bengals backfield as Dalton.
I believe the key is to keep the Steeler offense off the field by long drives and forcing 3 and outs. I've noticed that Pgh defense, like most, plays very well when rested. But they trail off considerably when worn down from overwork.
Since both teams have been inconsistent to this point, I think this game will show just what the identity of each team really is going forward.
16-10 Bengals
1. They've had two weeks to prepare for this game as opposed to Pgh, which will only have a few days.
2. They are as rested as they will be all season.
3. The Steelers are coming off a very physical road game in Kansas City and will most likely not practice today (Monday)
4. Steelers have two starters on their OL injured and are probably out for Sunday.
5. While still early in the season, this should be considered a must win game for Cincy. Not so for Pgh.
6. Bengals seem to play Pgh tougher at Heinz that they do at home.
7. Even if the Steelers move the ball up and down the field, they're not real efficient in the red zone....about 50%
Why the Steelers will win:
1. Their defense seems to be improved from last year.
2. The three B's seem to be (slowly) returning to form.
3. They're home, so they won't have to worry about being pelted with beer cans.
4. The Steelers historically start slow and get stronger as the season progresses. This will be game #7.
5. Offensive line seems to be pretty solid, even with Gilbert out.
6. Bengals red zone efficiency is worse than the Steelers
7. Talk of a total implosion of the team MAY have been a bit premature.
Both teams have been up and down so far. It all comes down to which version of the two teams show up. With two weeks of rest and preparation, if the Bengals come out flat (unlikely), they deserve to lose. If they play like they did against GB, they will win. If the Steelers come out flat (more likely), they will lose. If they play like they did against KC, they will win, and spend as much time in the Bengals backfield as Dalton.
I believe the key is to keep the Steeler offense off the field by long drives and forcing 3 and outs. I've noticed that Pgh defense, like most, plays very well when rested. But they trail off considerably when worn down from overwork.
Since both teams have been inconsistent to this point, I think this game will show just what the identity of each team really is going forward.
16-10 Bengals
