11-28-2017, 02:22 PM
1. For some reason, the Steelers often fall prey to trap games, and this game certainly qualifies. This is a relatively meaningless game for them, and with games with the Patriots and Ravens (who the team and fans consider a much greater rivalry) coming up, it will be very easy for them to be looking ahead and past this game. They may even rest some players that are dinged up, to get them ready for the end of season push. For the Bengals, this game approaches playoff status in terms of importance and what it means to the overall success of the season. It's a "we got nothing to lose" type game and an opportunity to establish a new identity on national TV. For many, a win Monday night against the Steelers, goes a long way in making the rest of the season a little more bearable, and keeps playoff hopes alive. Look for the Bengals to be sky high, and the Steelers to be flat.
2. The Steelers have some very key players out that greatly benefit the Bengals. First, CB Joe Hayden, who has been AJ Green's kryptonite over the years, will not play and is done for the season. Without him, the Steeler secondary reverts back to mediocre (at best) with a huge drop off by his replacement. I think they have at least 1, if not 2, rookies back there. In the last few games we've seen them break down and leave WR's wide open. Look for AJ to have a big game. Vance McDonald, their best TE, and JU JU Shuster, their latest rookie WR phenom will probably not play. Marcus Gilbert, the suspended OT, was a key to Pgh's run game. Based on last Sunday night's game, Bell will find the middle slow going, and Ben will have to dodge rushers unless Gilbert's replacement gets a lot better this week.
3. I don't believe the the Steelers are as good as their 9-2 record would suggest, and are actually just good enough win against a schedule of unusually weak opponents. The entire AFC is a disappointment this season, and the Steeler's record is more of a testament to how weak most of their opponents have been as opposed to how good they are. For them to need a last second FG to beat a Packers team that position by position, they should have outmatched, at home, in primetime, is pretty telling.
4. The Bengals appear to be coming together and improving in several areas. Even the much-maligned OL seems to be finally asserting themselves. If that continues this week, the Bengal's strengths will line up very well against Pgh's weaknesses.
5. Being a Monday night game should keep the amount of fans traveling in from Pgh in check. I'm basing that on talking to family and business associates in and around PGH that normally come to PBS for 1:00 games w/ the Steelers. I'm expecting the loudest, most electric Bengal crowd this year and the players will respond to it.
The possible downside to all this: as much as a loss to the Steelers at this point should be the last nail in the coffin, a win against the division leading Steelers, on Monday Night Football, going to a 3 game win streak with more winnable games to follow, could be enough to keep Marvin around.
2. The Steelers have some very key players out that greatly benefit the Bengals. First, CB Joe Hayden, who has been AJ Green's kryptonite over the years, will not play and is done for the season. Without him, the Steeler secondary reverts back to mediocre (at best) with a huge drop off by his replacement. I think they have at least 1, if not 2, rookies back there. In the last few games we've seen them break down and leave WR's wide open. Look for AJ to have a big game. Vance McDonald, their best TE, and JU JU Shuster, their latest rookie WR phenom will probably not play. Marcus Gilbert, the suspended OT, was a key to Pgh's run game. Based on last Sunday night's game, Bell will find the middle slow going, and Ben will have to dodge rushers unless Gilbert's replacement gets a lot better this week.
3. I don't believe the the Steelers are as good as their 9-2 record would suggest, and are actually just good enough win against a schedule of unusually weak opponents. The entire AFC is a disappointment this season, and the Steeler's record is more of a testament to how weak most of their opponents have been as opposed to how good they are. For them to need a last second FG to beat a Packers team that position by position, they should have outmatched, at home, in primetime, is pretty telling.
4. The Bengals appear to be coming together and improving in several areas. Even the much-maligned OL seems to be finally asserting themselves. If that continues this week, the Bengal's strengths will line up very well against Pgh's weaknesses.
5. Being a Monday night game should keep the amount of fans traveling in from Pgh in check. I'm basing that on talking to family and business associates in and around PGH that normally come to PBS for 1:00 games w/ the Steelers. I'm expecting the loudest, most electric Bengal crowd this year and the players will respond to it.
The possible downside to all this: as much as a loss to the Steelers at this point should be the last nail in the coffin, a win against the division leading Steelers, on Monday Night Football, going to a 3 game win streak with more winnable games to follow, could be enough to keep Marvin around.
