NFL Breakdown - Steelers Offense vs Bengals Defense

The Steelers OLine Needs To Keep Big Ben
Clean So He Can Make Plays Downfield vs Cincy

Although in a previous post I acknowledged that the season isn't over for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I also am able to admit that this season is hanging on by a thread.  If the Steelers lose to the Bengals on Sunday Night Football and fall to 2-4, they have dug themselves a hole that they might not be able to get out of.  Sure, some people are talking about them having to win 10 games, but if they can't beat teams on the road (especially teams that are beatable) then even 10 wins wouldn't guarantee anything.  This is a MUST WIN game in my opinion and here is the breakdown of the Steelers offense going against the Bengals defense.

- Running Game Keeping Steelers Grounded? - I think back to the first few games where Rashard Mendenhall was out of the lineup, and I can honestly say that I felt the offense was "clicking" more.  Sure, they weren't running the ball well, but the Steelers were picking people apart with their passing attack.  They were controlling the time of possession battle, converting first downs, and not turning the ball over.  Since the return of Mendenhall and the offense trying to run the ball more consistently I can't help but notice the passing game has been out of sync.  If Mendy can't go vs the Bengals, I think the Steelers matchup well vs the Bengals secondary.

- Handling Cincy's Pass Rush - Speaking about the Cincy secondary, it would all be a mute point if the Steelers can't handle the Bengals' pass rush.  Typically, this matchup wouldn't worry me.  The Steelers OLine has improved tremendously in pass protection this year.  Ben Roethlisberger has only been sacked once in the last 2 games.  I am concerned due to the injuries on the OLine.  Maurkice Pouncey will most likely miss this game as will fellow Florida Gator Marcus Gilbert.  That leaves the line having Doug Legursky at Center and Rookie Mike Adams at Right Tackle.  I have no doubt Legursky can handle the job, but Adams is a different story.  He constantly requires help vs pass rushers and that limits what the Steelers can do in the passing / running game.  If the Steelers can give Ben time, there is no doubt they can light up the shaky secondary of the Cincy Bengals.

- WRs Getting Into Groove Again - The Steelers' WR core hasn't looked right since the Oakland game.  The Raider game that was lost due to turnovers is such that it could have thrown off the passing game.  The Steelers have uncharacteristically had alot of dropped passes and miscommunication between QB and WR.  I look for the Steelers to come out and use the passing game as a possession machine and controlling the clock by picking apart the middle of the field, especially when the Bengals blitz.  Heath Miller should have another huge game, but I think its important to get the WR core into the groove early in this big game.  Also, look for the Steelers to use alot of no-huddle to get the Bengals defense tired and to utilize RBs like Rainey and Batch who look EXTREMELY comfortable in the no-huddle offense.

- Big Ben = Big Plays - Ben Roethlisberger has been a big play machine since he came into the league in 2004.  He and Mike Wallace have connected for more plays of 40+ yds since Mike Wallace became a member of the Steelers.  They even hooked up for an 82yd TD vs the Titans on Thursday night.  Big Ben is known for big plays not just with the vertical passing game, but also with him creating with his legs.  This is one of the biggest areas the offense has been "off".  Ben has been creating space, but has been overthrowing receivers and not really knowing where they are going to be.  Very uncharacteristic, but acceptable due to it being early in the season.  I'd like to see more 4 WR sets with Cotchery on the field vs the Bengals to help take pressure off Ben.

- Can a Brother Get a Screen?! - You know the Bengals are going to dial up pressure, but what the Steelers do vs that is what drives me crazy.  The Steelers have been one of the worst teams in the NFL with running screens the last 10 years.  It isn't because they don't have backs that can catch it, its because it never gets set up correctly.  Before people go nuts, I'm not talking about the annoying WR "Bubble Screen" either.  When the Bengals blitz, the Steelers should be able to gash the Bungles with a screen.  With Mendenhall and Redman possibly both out they will have running backs that are perfect for the screen game.  Dwyer, Batch, and Rainey can all catch the ball out of the backfield.  Time to show some screen game.