The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals both come into tonight’s matchup after losing in Week 1. The Bengals lost to the Chicago Bears on the road by three, and the Steelers were upset by the Tennessee Titans at home.
Neither team can afford to start off the season 0-2, so tonight’s matchup is crucial. Here's the Monday Night Football Preview between the Steelers and Bengals.
Offense
Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley aren’t on the same page, and it shows on the field. Roetherlisberger’s total QBR in Week 1 was 21.3, one of the lowest in the NFL in Week 1.
Cincinnati’s passing attack looked solid in Week 1. Andy Dalton threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. AJ Green is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and proved it again last weekend, catching nine passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Neither team's running game very impressive in Week 1, but Cincinnati did rush for 32 more yards than Pittsburgh did in Week 1.
Edge: Cincinnati Bengals
Defense
In Week 1, the Steelers held the Titans to 229 yards, while the Bengals gave up an 11-point lead in the second half to the Bears.
Pittsburgh’s defensive captain Larry Foote has been placed on the IR list for a torn bicep, and that’s a huge blow to this defense. Foote’s injury means that safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker Lamar Woodley are going to need to step up their on the field play and their leadership roles in the huddle.
Polamalu looked good in Week 1, and the Steelers secondary is the strongest part of this defense. Polamalu joins Ryan Clark as the starting safeties, and Ike Taylor has proven to be one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL.
The Bengals defense is loaded with talent. Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Leon Hall, and Reggie Nelson are all Pro Bowl-quality players.
An interesting storyline in this game is Bengals linebacker James Harrisong, who will be facing his old team. Harrison had some great years in Pittsburgh, but was cut this offseason for salary cap reasons. Look for Harrison to play with an extra chip on his shoulder tonight, and wreak havoc in the Steelers backfield
Pittsburgh has a good defense, but the Bengals D is one of the best units in the NFL.
Edge: Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction
The Bengals are the better team, and will exert their dominance over the Steelers tonight.
Bengals 27, Steelers 13
This article was written by Mike Lucas. Follow him on Twitter here and read more of his work here.
