NFL Breakdown - Steelers Defense vs Bengals Offense

Time For "Deebo" & Co. to Make Some Plays

The Steelers are gearing up for the "playoff" matchup with the Bengals on Sunday at Heinz Field.  If the Steelers come out of this game with a victory, they will find themselves in the driver's seat towards a playoff birth in 3 short weeks.  However, the Steelers have their work cut out for them in terms of this Cincinnati team that is not only coming off a 10 day break (they defeated the Eagles on Thursday Night Football last week), but also a team of young players who are playing solid football.  Today I break down the Steelers defense going against the Bengals' offense.  The top 5 storylines:

- Keep AJ Green In Check - The freak of a WR that AJ Green is should be the #1 priority on any defense's check list when it comes to "keys to victory".  The Steelers did everything but take AJ Green completely out of the game when they played earlier this season.  The Steelers defense held Green to 1 catch for 8 yards (it just happened to be a TD reception).  There is one main difference between this matchup on Sunday to the one earlier this season...the Steelers will NOT have Ike Taylor on defense.  Due to Taylor's injury the Steelers banged up secondary will have to try to keep the Bengals' #1 WR in check.  The likelihood of the Steelers stopping Green as they did during their 24-17 victory earlier this year is slim without Taylor in the game, but if the Steelers can contain Green...then only good things can happen.

- Front 7 HAS to Stop the Run - I am putting the emphasis on this matchup solely on the front 7.  For those that don't know, the Steelers run a 3-4 defense with 3 down linemen and 4 Linebackers.  In my opinion, it is going to be on these 7 players to be able to stop the run.  Ryan Clark is a great run stopper, but at the same time he is a player that is going to be needed in the deep secondary to help the banged up CBs with AJ Green and the other Bengals WR Corps.  If the Steelers front 7 can stop the Bengals running game, there is no doubt in my mind that the Steelers match up well vs the Bengals' offense.  At a time when the Steelers tackling and run defense has been questioned by myself and the rest of SteelerNation, it would be a pleasant surprise to see the Steelers shut down the Bengals in the biggest game of the season.

- Put Pressure On Dalton - The Steelers pass rush has been MIA recently, but in my humble opinion, the Steelers don't have to record massive amounts of sacks to be effective.  No, they simply have to put PRESSURE on Andy Dalton.  Dalton likes to stay in the pocket and hit his timing routes, but he has also shown this year that he certainly can run the ball and also can be forced into mistakes.  Andy Dalton doesn't just throw interceptions, but loves to throw the "pick 6".  The Steelers can't allow Dalton to sit back in the pocket and get the ball out of his hands without the slightest hesitation, or pressure coming from the defense.  Instead, the defense needs to keep constant pressure on the 2nd year QB to force him into making decisions that not only can result in turnovers, but also negative play for the Bengals offense.

- Take The Ball Away When The Opportunity Arises - As I stated, Andy Dalton isn't afraid to chuck the ball around the yard.  The Bengals are a team like the Steelers that wants to try and remain balanced on offense.  However, if you've watched Cincinnati play this year it is obvious that there are times where Dalton (and the entire offense) starts to press.  Its when this "press" starts that mistakes tend to happen with the Bengals...whether its a strip sack, an INT, or even a fumble.  The Steelers need to take the ball away when those opportunities arise and not let them slip through their hands (literally).

- Keep the Deep Ball In the Playbook / Playmakers Make Plays - If the Bengals are known for one type of offense, it could be that they like to test the opposition in their deep play coverage.  After all, they have a freak WR who is 6'4" and can jump out of a gymnasium.  Why wouldn't you throw the ball up for a WR like that?!  The Steelers have done a tremendous job with protecting against the deep ball this season, and that has to continue for the Steelers to have success.  Secondly, it is time the Steelers defensive studs (James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, Brett Keisel, Troy Polamalu, Lawrence Timmons) show up and make the plays that SteelerNation is accustomed to them making.  When will we see Troy Polamalu make a play that turns the tide in a game?  When will Lamarr Woodley get one of those sacks that completely obliterates the offense's spirit?  Those are what the team is needing, and its what SteelerNation is waiting for...time to bring it boys!