A get-right game in Cincinnati.
The Steelers come to town this weekend with the Bengals desperately in need of a win.
Here is what they need to do to get it.
Playoff Mentality
Are you sick of us saying this is a “must-win game” yet?
Well, sorry, but that isn’t stopping until they are mathematically eliminated.
Joe Burrow must be playoff Joe. They must be clicking on offense, and Zac Taylor must be willing to take the risks necessary to win at all costs. This team has had moments, but repetitive big-moment mistakes have buried them in the standings. They need to turn it on immediately, or the season will be over.
Germaine Pratt
Germaine Pratt is the most underrated player on this defense in terms of his contributions to their success. He is an intense, vocal leader with the passion to push his teammates to their highest potential. He is also the guy who tends to stand up and make a big play in the biggest moments. This defense doesn’t have to be great; they just have to make a few key plays, and Pratt is a big part of how they can do that. Whether it is a short yardage stop or ripping the ball out to give it back to the offense,
Pratt is the guy I trust to get it done.
The Secondary
The Bengals head into Week 13 with three struggling veterans, a Day 3 rookie, and Mike Hilton starting in their secondary (no disrespect to Hilton; he was the only one named for a reason). This is not a great situation for any team, particularly one that only has one player generating pressure on the quarterback.
The secondary needs to be locked in and play at their top level. I love Vonn Bell as much as anyone, but at this point, it needs to be Jordan Battle at strong safety. There will be mistakes, but turnovers need to be made as well. Geno Stone, in particular, needs to find the football. That is what they brought him here to do. He was supposed to be Jessie Bates lite but hasn’t even been Busch Light. He needs to step up.
Create Pressure
They have to figure out how to create more pressure opposite Trey Hendrickson, and it is clear that it isn’t going to come from the defensive line (Yes, they could play Myles Murphy more, but that isn’t enough). They need to scheme up blitzes specifically to defeat Pittsburgh’s protection. They should utilize Hilton in this area and backup linebackers like Akeem Davis-Gaither and Maema Njongmeta. This could also be a good way to get safeties Daijahn Anthony and Tycen Anderson involved in the defense.
Bye Week Changes
Bye weeks aren’t all locker room ping pong. The Bengals coaching staff has a history of making schematic changes at the bye week that have a big impact down the stretch. Something needs to happen on the defensive side of the ball. They also need to figure out how to run the ball effectively against good defenses.
While rookie cornerback Josh Newton is set to get his first start, an effort should be made to get more out of other rookies like defensive tackles Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson. Then, of course, there is wide receiver Jermaine Burton. They must figure out how to unlock his playmaking potential. He is too talented not to be able to torch the defense once or twice a game when the majority of the focus will be on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
What is your biggest key(s) to the game?
