If the Bengals win Saturday, they still have a shot at the playoffs, but only if Miami and Denver lose to the Jets and Chiefs, respectively, on Sunday. A tie for the Dolphins also would get Cincinnati into the seventh seed.
Here are five things to know about Saturday’s game:
1. Winning the turnover battle
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has come to accept that the Steelers are going to get turnovers, so the defense needs to keep up its trend of being able to get some takeaways as well. Pittsburgh has forced Burrow into 12 turnovers in six meetings since 2020, including a four-interception game in 2022 when he also lost a fumble.
The Steelers are tied with the Vikings and Bills for most takeaways with 31 this season, and Burrow said that defensive line is just too good not to force opponents into mistakes. Many of their 16 interceptions come because of tipped balls at the line of scrimmage or pressure on the quarterback.
Burrow goes into every game expecting the offense will need to put up a lot of points, so he said he just needs to make sure he takes advantage of as many opportunities as possible. Cincinnati’s defense has forced 12 of its 24 turnovers in the last four games, and cornerback Mike Hilton said the goal is to keep getting the ball back into Burrow’s hands.
“Even if they do get that turnover, our job is to go out and either make them punt it or force three -- we don’t want to give up seven,” Hilton said. “So we know it’s gonna be a dog fight, and if we can get more turnovers and give Joe the ball more, we like our chances.”
2. Protection concerns
Burrow’s offensive line will have its hands full with guys like defensive end T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cam Heyward, but there could be more shuffling of personnel up front and on pass protection duty for the Bengals. That’s a concern considering Pittsburgh sacked Burrow four times in the Dec. 1 meeting, and he finished with two lost fumbles, an interception and 23 total pressures.
Left tackle Orlando Brown is playing on a fibula broken in two spots, and right tackle Amarius Mims is questionable after not being able to finish last week’s win over the Broncos because of a broken hand. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday and did not practice Friday, so it seems likely Cincinnati will need to lean on Cody Ford or Devin Cochran to fill in Saturday.
Ford would be the more experienced option to task with stopping Watt, but most of his reps have been at left tackle or left guard this season. Cordell Volson could get his job at left guard back if Ford starts at right tackle.
On top of all that, the Bengals might be relying on backup running back Khalil Herbert if Chase Brown isn’t able to play on his sprained ankle, which would be a significant change in pass protection as well as what the team can do in the running game.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
3. Can the defense better handle Russell Wilson?
The Bengals gave up more than 400 yards passing and 44 points to the Steelers in the first matchup, but the defense has been playing much better since then – albeit against lesser offenses.
Hilton said the defense’s pride was hurt in that last matchup, and Saturday is an opportunity to show how much the Bengals have improved on that side of the ball.
Russell Wilson got a lot his 414 yards passing on checkdowns to running backs Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, who are also capable of making big plays in the running game, but Hilton said the defense just needs to play tighter. They also must avoid missed tackles that plagued the team earlier in the season.
“Really just plaster better,” Hilton said. “No. 1, he (Wilson) was able to get outside the pocket a little more and just be who he is his whole career. Once he got outside the pocket, he makes a lot of plays. We’ve got to stop the run, of course. But I like the game plan. And like I said, guys are playing better, and I think we’ll be locked in and ready to go.”
4. A playoff game mentality
With the uncertainty over their fate even with a win, the Bengals are treating Saturday’s game like a playoff game — just like the last four weeks when they were playing to stay alive.
The primetime atmosphere, in the team’s fifth road game at night this season, will help create that feeling, and Pittsburgh will have something to play for as well, even if Baltimore clinches the AFC North title with a win over the Cleveland Browns earlier in the day Saturday.
Pittsburgh can clinch the fifth seed with a win and a chance to travel to struggling Houston instead of to Baltimore for the first round of the playoffs.
“We’ve got a lot of business to take care of and we intend to do it,” Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. “We know it’s going to be hard. If we’re able to, then obviously Sunday becomes a really big day.”
Ja’Marr Chase is one of several Bengals players with something individually to play for, as he is trying to lock down the “triple crown” with big leads in all three major receiving categories (receptions, touchdowns and yards). Others are in contract years trying to prove themselves to the front office or other teams that might be looking to sign them in the future.
Hilton, for example, is in the last year of his contract. This also could be the last game for Tee Higgins, though Burrow remains confident he remains in the plans.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
5. Injuries of note
The Bengals have six players questionable for Saturday, including Mims and Chase Brown. Higgins is listed as questionable after being limited this week by ankle and knee injuries, but he has been managed in recent weeks and was also listed as questionable last week before he played his best game of the season with three touchdowns against Denver.
Tight end Drew Sample is also questionable after he did not practice this week because of a groin injury, but Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he is expected to play. His blocking ability is vital to the team, so he has been managed all week as a precaution.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt also popped up with an ankle injury Thursday but is expected to play, despite his “questionable” designation. Wide receiver Charlie Jones continues to be limited by a groin injury but could be an emergency option on returns if needed.
The Steelers have three players eligible to come off injured reserve that are listed as out (linebacker Cole Holcomb, defensive lineman Logan Lee and wide receiver Roman Wilson), but otherwise just have one player in question as cornerback Donte Jackson has been limited late this week by a back injury. Everyone else is good to go, according to the injury report.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Bengals at Steelers, 8 p.m., ABC, ESPN, 700, 1530, 102.7, 104.7
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