One of the more fascinating matchups of the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers' rivalry is on tap for us.

Cincinnati is back home for an AFC North game, but they'll be without their starting quarterback, No. 2 receiver, and No. 1 cornerback. Change in Pittsburgh has also occurred with a rare midseason switch-up in the coaching staff. 



There are always storylines to follow when these hated rivals square off, especially when both are .500 or better. If the Bengals want to stay a winning team and get their first divisional victory, they'll need to succeed in these areas of the game.

3 Keys For Bengals Beating Steelers

Sustain long drives, control the clock

What will the first real game plan for Jake Browning’s offense look like? It’s the question on everyone’s mind in Cincinnati. Browning doesn’t want the play book limited, and the Bengals won’t go far if they do handcuff him exclusively to high-percentage plays. That said, those bread and butter calls need to be executed consistently for the simple reason of keeping control of the game.

The Bengals were already struggling to produce explosive plays with Joe Burrrow out there slinging it. Browning isn't going to have it any easier pushing the ball down the field, and the run game isn't likely to help out there, either. Staying ahead of the chains and converting third-and-short situations is how the Bengals can win not only against the Steelers, but most teams remaining on their schedule.

Prevent T.J. Watt from changing the game

The objective take on Watt is that he’s really freakin’ good—at pretty much everything. He isn’t just the guy who can bend around the edge and end up poking the ball away from the quarterback, he can hold his gap, read the QB’s eyes, and bat the ball up in the air for his own interception. The Bengals have seen it all from the former Defensive Player of the Year. Watt has two interceptions, six passes defensed, nine sacks, and 11 tackles for loss in 11 career games against the Orange and Black. 

Browning's pocket presence will be put to the test with not only Watt, but Alex Highsmith coming off the other edge. Highsmith actually has a higher pass rush win rate (16.1%) than Watt (13.6%) this year and has just as many hurries (27), according to Pro Football Focus.

Limit explosives from Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh’s offense figures to switching some things up in the first game since offensive coordinator Matt Canada was canned. One aspect that should not change is getting Warren involved. The second-year running back ran for 129 yards on just nine carries last week against the Cleveland Browns. He’s also just as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield. He’s tied for first among all running backs with 18 forced missed tackles on receptions. 

Warren is tough to catch up to and take down in space, regardless of who's calling the plays. Cincinnati needs to always have eyes on him when the ball comes his way to keep small plays from becoming big.

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The Bengals will hope to have their own Warren in rookie running back Chase Brown, who was cleared to practice this week after spending the last month on the Reserve/Injured list. Getting Brown involved to complement Joe Mixon in and out of the backfield can add that needed spark with a backup quarterback in the game. He'll need to be officially activated to the roster first.

On defense, having Sam Hubbard back in the lineup should make the entire defensive line better. The rotation at edge defender will be more balanced, making Trey Hendrickson's job easier as a result. Hendrickson had at least five pressures in every game during Cincinnati's four game win streak, and seven in the team's loss to the Houston Texans before hyperextending his knee. That production would be mighty helpful to ensure Kenny Pickett doesn't pop off unexpectedly.

Bengals declare two starters out for Week 12 bout vs. Steelers

Cincinnati may have to get creative at an important position.