Five Steelers who need a big game in Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a big win on Sunday. On the road against a division rival, just because the Bengals are without their best player, it doesn't mean the team will just lay over. With that in mind, here are five Steelers that will need big games on Sunday if Pittsburgh is […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a big win on Sunday.
On the road against a division rival, just because the Bengals are without their best player, it doesn't mean the team will just lay over.
With that in mind, here are five Steelers that will need big games on Sunday if Pittsburgh is to come out on top:
QB Kenny Pickett
Sunday will be the first game of Pickett's career without Matt Canada calling the plays and designing the offense he is in charge of orchestrating. While even Pickett himself admitted that wholesale change isn't going to occur, there should be a noticeable jump in energy among the offense, meaning I expect Pickett to show up with a sense of urgency as the pressure is now on him to succeed.
RB Jaylen Warren
Warren has gone over 100 yards in back-to-back games and will likely need to have another strong outing against a championship-level defense.
Cincy may not be the same on the backend, but they will be motivated for a divisional matchup, especially one that could help spoil the playoff dreams of Pittsburgh.
RT Broderick Jones
Jones has officially earned the starting right tackle spot as longtime starter Chuks Okorafor is all but gone following some comments that made him expendable in the eyes of Pittsbugh's coaching staff.
Pair that with three straight weeks of over 100 yards on the ground since Jones' inception into the lineup, and it's easy to see why Pittsburgh is sticking with him in a pivotal game.
CB Joey Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. struggled in his second attempt at shadowing a high-caliber NFL WR, with Amari Cooper getting the better of the rookie more than a few times last week in Cleveland.
Things won't be any easier this week, as one of the league's best players, much less receivers in Bengals' Ja'Maar Chase is going to match up with Peezy Jr.
Steelers fans hope Porter Jr. can emulate the success he had when matching up with DeAndre Hopkins a few weeks ago.
EDGE T.J. Watt
It goes without saying at this point, but T.J. is having yet another remarkable season and will look to close it out strong down the stretch.
With seven games to go and Watt 11.5 sacks shy of the single-season sack record he is tied for, he may have slowed down off his feverish pace, but don't be surprised if he kicks things into overdrive starting against the Bengals on Sunday.
Steelers at Bengals broadcast map: Will you be able to watch on TV?
A look at the Week 12 broadcast map for the CBS afternoon slate featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals.
