Duel Opinions: Steelers/Bengals Keys to the Game

Our panel of writers came together to preview this week’s Bengals game, by each finding a single battle they felt would be the “key to the game” for the Steelers to emerge victorious in their home opener.

Here are those results:

Joe

In 3 games last season, including the playoffs, Green has been a “Steelers Killer” with 22 catches for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns, including one TD that put the Bengals ahead 13-10 when these two teams last met at Heinz Field.

Against the Jets last week, Green was caught 12 of 13 passes thrown in his direction, good for 180 yards and a score, against a Jets defense widely considered to be one of the best in the NFL.

It might be a tall task to limit him, but it appears the Bengals go as Green goes: in 4 of their 5 losses last season, Green had 5 or less catches, for 100 or less yards. The misnomer: the 2nd regular season game against the Steelers, where Green still had a big game with 6 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, including a 66-yard reception halfway through the 2nd quarter.

He’s a weapon capable of flipping a game in the Bengals favor, much like Antonio Brown is with the Steelers. For that reason, stopping A.J. Green is my key to the game.

Eric

I think the key to this week’s game is in the trenches, both on offense and defense.

It’s no secret that this game is going to get aggressive and nasty. No matter what the Steelers say, they won’t allow themselves to be bullied by the Bengals and will defend each other when necessary.

This will start at the line of scrimmage.

Our offensive line must defend Ben and not allow him to be touched.

Our defensive line is just as important. They have to ability to control the Bengals offense: if they can take away the run game, and pressure Andy Dalton.

The Steelers are a smart team and have invested in the trenches; the investment will certainly pay off in slug-fests like this.

Brian

Joe makes excellent points about Green, but the key, in my opinion is not who’s covering Green, but who’s getting home on Dalton.

They key to beating the Bengals will be how many times we put the “ginger” ***! (

Tuitt is ready to burst out, and so is Cam. I think Hargrave is going to give an even better push than last week.

If Shazam plays, he’s fast enough to put some hurting on Dalton, and keep him looking. I think Gay probably gets Green most of the game, with help, but if Dalton is looking at the sky, it won’t matter.

The line play is going to be the key.

If we get to Dalton, we win, if we don’t… well we still win, but it’s going to be harder.

Terry

As much as I want to see Antonio Brown do his thing, and destroy the Bengals in retaliation for the dirty hit on him last season in the Wild Card game, the key to this game will be balance.

Coach Tomlin tries to stay away from that word, for the sake of balance, but DeAngelo Williams is going to have to have another 100+ yard rushing game. With what I assume will be a double-team on AB, Rogers, Wheaton, Coates and DHB will need to be perfect in their route running and communication with Ben to get early points on the board.

If we look at the defensive side of the ball, Cam Heyward said it best after the Redskins game, “We didn’t do well getting after the QB. We need better pass rush to win.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

If the defense can make some key hits on Dalton, this home game will be a high scoring win for the Steelers.


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