Can the Bengals find a way to sweep the season series with the Steelers? After dropping to 3-6 my initial answer would have been absolutely not. After watching the Steelers struggle again on Sunday Night Football I am not so sure. I still have very little faith in the defense, especially knowing that Trey Hendrickson is doubtful to play again this week. Let’s take a look at a couple of players on the defense that will need to step their game up this week for the Bengals to have any chance of pulling off the victory.
DJ Turner
Turner held his own in the first match-up against DK Metcalf. He will need to do it again this week. Metcalf’s numbers are down the past few weeks. I could see getting him the ball in a variety of ways as a point of emphasis for the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Turner is playing at an All-Pro type of level. He has another chance to add to that resume against a divisional opponent. The winner of this match-up could determine the winner of this game.
Joseph Ossai
Finding a way to get some type of pressure on Aaron Rodgers will be key. Without Trey Hendrickson, the next most productive player when it comes to pressures on the season has been Joseph Ossai. Ossai actually leads the team in pressures with 25 on the season. The problem is, not a lot of those pressures have turned into sacks. He has to find a way to finish plays. At the very least, speed Rodgers up and force him into some potential interceptions this week.
Amarius Mims
I thought Mims was fantastic against TJ Watt during the first Bengals versus Steelers game this season. We will need a similar performance again this week from him. We all know Watt is a player that can wreck a game. If Mims can keep Flacco clean, this offense should continue performing at a high level. We may have to put up 40 to 50 points with how bad the Bengals defense is. Mims shutting down TJ Watt may just help them to do it.
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