Just a few years ago whenever you mentioned a Bengals vs. Steelers matchup, it wouldn’t be too hard to automatically assume that it would be a surefire win for Pittsburgh. Well, since last season and entering this season, all signs continue to point towards that not being necessarily the case anymore. Ever since Joe Burrow took over the starting QB job for the Bengals, and with the Steelers now entering their first season after Ben Roethlisberger retired, all signs point towards another episode of Pittsburgh falling victim to Cincinnati, this time in their week 1 matchup in Ohio. But will the Steelers defense be able to turn this situation around and hold the Bengals in place?
Game Preview
Last season everything everyone could talk about when it came to the AFC was how good of a team and how electrifying the Cincinnati Bengals had become ever since Joe Burrow came back from an injury that sidelined him for the season in his first year as a pro. But after coming back and linking up with his former favorite receiver from back in the day at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, everything took a proverbial turn for the better in Cincinnati. Cincinnati went from being the AFC North’s bottom feeder, to becoming the team to watch if you wanted to get a scoop of some of the most entertaining football. All this eventually led to the Bengals reaching the Super Bowl, in a losing effort against the Rams, but now, with the 2022 season coming up, everyone around the Bengals is doubling down on their bets on how good this team will be this season.
With the base of last season’s Cinderella story team coming back, and with Joe Burrow now having seen what going to the Super Bowl is like, the feelings around Bengals camp is that this season will be all about making it back to the Super Bowl but not losing. That is why starting out with the right foot against a Steelers team that will be trying out a new QB for the first time in years will be pivotal. Still, while the Bengals were able to manhandle the Steelers in both of their matchups last season, it’s a given that if Cincinnati wants to take this first divisional clash of the season, they will need to find a way to stop the Steelers defense, one of the best units in the league.
For Pittsburgh, having to go from Roethlisberger to either rookie Kenny Pickett or Mitchel Trubisky will be a very tough pill to swallow to start off the season, especially when facing a team like the Bengals. If the Steelers want a true chance for a win, two things will be absolutely necessary. One will be for returning RB Najee Harris to start having a breakout year from the get go and the other for T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and the rest of the Steelers defense to play their best football from the start up until the end. Still, while the Steelers could be on the road to mounting up a pretty decent season, this game is Cincinnati’s to lose, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be losing it in any way, shape or form.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals Game Information
- Date: 9/11/2022
- Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- How to Watch Steelers vs Bengals: CBS
- Live stream: NFL Game Pass
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