The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Cincinnati Bengals a week from Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by CBS and the defending AFC champions will be looking to extend their three-game winning streak against the Steelers. The black and gold lead the all-time series 67-37 but are coming off two non-competitive losses to the Bengals last season.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 28: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Credit: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Steelers will have to play a very different game to keep up with Joe Burrow and his cadre of weapons. Pittsburgh’s offense on the surface does not seem like an ideal group to engage in a shootout. The strength of the Steelers' offense, the wide receiver group, is going up against a Bengals secondary that is not impenetrable. Let’s look at the matchups.
WR1 Diontae Johnson Vs CB1 Chidobe Awuzie
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 05: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 05, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Awuzie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, and the 27-year-old had a solid season capped off with an interception of Matthew Stafford in the Super Bowl. He is a 6-foot 203-pound cornerback with good speed and has started fifty-six games in his NFL career. Last season he only allowed a 74.8 passer rating when targeted and only 56% of passes were completed in his direction.
Johnson is fresh off a contract extension but is currently questionable. He injured himself against the Lions on a diving catch, but Mike Tomlin suggested at halftime that if it were a regular season game, he would probably be in the game. Johnson is a gifted route runner and this should be a fascinating battle of strength versus strength.
Assuming Johnson is healthy and plays against the Bengals, I would rate this matchup EVEN.
WR2 Chase Claypool Vs CB2 Eli Apple
Credit: Jordan Schofield/Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_Photo)
Apple is entering his seventh season in the NFL. He has started sixty-three games in his career and was the 71st-rated cornerback last season. He allowed an 86.2 passer rating when targeted and more importantly a whopping 13.1 yards per reception. Apple is often disparaged as a cover corner, but he manages to stay on the field year after year.
Claypool bragged prior to the season that he thought he was a top-three receiver in the NFL. This will be a significant opportunity to prove it. He is bigger and stronger than Apple and if the Pittsburgh quarterback looks to push the ball down the field, Apple will likely be the target. If the Steelers are going to push the Bengals, this matchup will be a key one to watch.
Claypool has been largely under wraps in the preseason, but the former Golden Domer has to break out and this is his opportunity. I would rate this matchup: Advantage CLAYPOOL.
WR3 George Pickens Vs Nickel Mike Hilton
NFL Network George Pickens (14) scores his first professional touchdown. Credit: NFL Network
Hilton is a very familiar face to Steeler Nation. He may be the best blitzing corner in the NFL but he is a liability in pass coverage. Last season he allowed a 98.9 passer rating and a whopping 72% of passes in his direction were completed. He will not be blitzing Ben Roethlisberger next week, so no matter who Tomlin names it will take time to get a read on what they are going to do.
Pickens has been the star of training camp and had a great pass reception for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason opener. The NFL YoungBoy is an enthusiastic run blocker and I am looking forward to these two matching up on a running play. Pickens has an overwhelming physical advantage and should present a very tough matchup for the plucky ex-Steelers cornerback.
Pickens should beat Hilton like a drum. He is bigger, faster and should be wide open anytime the pair matches up. It may take a quarter for the Bengals to realize that they have to play over the top. Advantage PICKENS.
The Bengals have a talented free safety in Jessie Bates III but with a clear advantage in two of the three wide receiver matchups, he cannot shade the whole field. Vonn Bell at strong safety is experienced but if they put coverage over the top on Pickens and Claypool, it will leave Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth matching up with linebackers. That could be a recipe for a statement win.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Should Pittsburgh come out throwing and exploit the mismatches they will clearly have? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq
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