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The Pittsburgh Steelers return from their bye week with one of their biggest challenges of the season waiting for them. Sunday’s primetime trip to Cincinnati provides an opportunity to sweep the Bengals, strengthen their position in the AFC North and extend a four-game winning streak that has Pittsburgh sitting at 6-2.
Of course, the Bengals have plenty to play for themselves. Cincinnati enters the matchup with an identical record, and Joe Burrow‘s offense has been playing some impressive football lately. The Steelers escaped their first meeting with a 30-27 victory, but there’s no guarantee that what worked in September will produce the same results this time around.
Mike McCarthy believes his team has improved considerably since that first meeting, particularly along both lines of scrimmage. Pittsburgh has also benefited from better defensive pressure, improved communication and an offense that’s beginning to establish a more consistent identity.
With that in mind, here are five Steelers who could have a significant impact on Sunday night’s rematch at Paycor Stadium.
Any discussion about defending Cincinnati has to begin with finding a way to make Burrow uncomfortable. That’s easier said than done, especially considering the improvements the Bengals have made along their offensive line.
Pittsburgh recorded only one sack in the first meeting, and Burrow’s ability to get rid of the football quickly remains one of his greatest strengths.
Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims has drawn praise from Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who highlighted his size, athleticism and ability to handle difficult assignments without much assistance.
However, Watt doesn’t necessarily need to pile up sacks to influence this game. Disrupting passing lanes, forcing Burrow to move off his spot and creating opportunities for other defenders can be just as valuable.
The Steelers have been generating more consistent pressure as a unit, and Watt’s presence remains a major reason opposing offenses have to account for Pittsburgh’s pass rush on every snap.
There might not be a Steelers player facing more questions entering Sunday’s game than Metcalf. Pittsburgh’s top receiving threat has caught only three passes over the last two games, a surprising development considering the expectations surrounding his role in the offense. It’s also surprising with multiple receivers sidelined during this timeframe.
Both McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio addressed the situation earlier this week, acknowledging that the coaching staff needs to create more opportunities for Metcalf. The Steelers have been winning with their running game and improved play along the offensive line, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to leave one of their most dangerous offensive weapons on the sidelines of the game plan.
Against Cincinnati, Metcalf’s involvement could become particularly important. The Bengals have the offensive firepower to turn Sunday’s matchup into a high-scoring affair, and Pittsburgh may need Aaron Rodgers to attack downfield more frequently than he has during some of the team’s recent victories.
Getting Metcalf involved early would not only give Rodgers another reliable option but could also prevent Cincinnati from concentrating too much attention on Pittsburgh’s running game and tight ends.
Highsmith might not be putting up the kind of statistics that immediately grab everyone’s attention, but his defensive coordinator certainly appreciates what he’s contributing. Graham went out of his way this week to praise Highsmith’s discipline, versatility and effort, pointing toward responsibilities that don’t always show up in the box score.
Those responsibilities include setting the edge against the run, dropping into coverage and working with the rest of the defensive front to create pressure. Graham also noted that Highsmith’s contributions can help produce penalties and disrupt blocking assignments, even when he isn’t credited with a sack.
That versatility could be particularly important against Burrow. With a lot of attention being focused on Watt, Highsmith could take advantage of some one-on-one situations and disrupt Burrow and the Bengals offense.
Cincinnati’s quarterback has seen just about every defensive look imaginable, making it difficult to rely exclusively on disguises or exotic blitz packages. The Steelers will need their edge defenders to maintain discipline while still finding opportunities to pressure the pocket.
If Highsmith can help prevent Burrow from stepping comfortably into his throws while limiting Cincinnati’s opportunities on the ground, he’ll have made a significant contribution regardless of what his final statistics look like.
Washington continues to become a more important part of Pittsburgh’s offense, and Sunday’s matchup could provide another opportunity to showcase his versatility. The massive tight end led the Steelers in receiving against Cleveland, continuing a stretch in which he’s demonstrated that he can contribute far beyond his traditional blocking responsibilities.
Angelichio spoke highly of Washington’s relationship with Rodgers earlier this week, explaining that there’s a growing level of trust between the quarterback and tight end.
At 6-foot-7, Washington presents an obvious size advantage against most defensive backs, making him a difficult matchup even when defenders are in position.
However, his blocking might be just as important against Cincinnati. Washington gives Pittsburgh the flexibility to use heavier formations while maintaining a legitimate receiving threat. His ability to handle defensive ends and create space along the edge also allows the Steelers to establish combination blocks inside, something Angelichio identified as a major factor in the first victory over the Bengals.
With Cincinnati likely making adjustments to Pittsburgh’s running game, Washington’s ability to contribute in multiple ways could help the Steelers stay one step ahead.
The Steelers have found considerably more success running the football over the last several weeks, and Warren remains an important part of that improvement. Pittsburgh’s offensive line has developed better continuity, allowing the running backs to take advantage of more consistent blocking and create opportunities for explosive plays.
Warren’s physical running style fits what McCarthy wants from his offense, particularly as the weather changes and games become more dependent on winning battles along the line of scrimmage.
Also, Warren’s ability to make defenders miss and generate additional yardage also gives Pittsburgh opportunities to keep drives moving without placing the entire burden on Rodgers.
Of course, he won’t be carrying the load alone. Rico Dowdle‘s availability gives the Steelers another option in the backfield, and Angelichio has emphasized the importance of maintaining the downhill running concepts that were successful against Cincinnati in September.
Establishing the run could be one of Pittsburgh’s best ways to limit Burrow’s opportunities. Long, sustained possessions would help keep Cincinnati’s offense on the sidelines while allowing the Steelers to control the pace of the game. Warren’s ability to produce tough yards and occasionally break a big play could make him one of the most important players on the field Sunday night.
The Steelers have shown considerable improvement since their first meeting with Cincinnati, but Sunday’s rematch will test whether that progress can hold up against one of the AFC’s more dangerous offenses.
Pittsburgh’s defense will need Watt and Highsmith to help disrupt Burrow, while the offense has to find ways to make better use of Metcalf without abandoning the physical running game that’s helped fuel its recent success.
Washington’s versatility and Warren’s production could provide the balance Pittsburgh needs, particularly if the Bengals attempt to take away what worked in September.
At 6-2, the Steelers have put themselves in an excellent position entering the second half of the season. Completing a sweep of Cincinnati would be another important step, but getting there will require contributions from some of their biggest playmakers on both sides of the football.
