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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all NFL fans with The PSN Game Commentary, Score Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)
NFL Week 12
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Game-time: Sunday, November 26th, at 1:00 PM
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
- Field: FieldTurf
Weather at kickoff: 48 with an 80% chance of rain. Winds out of the South at 9 MPH.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Like the old adage says… play with matches long enough, and you’re going to get burnt.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) came into the game against the Cleveland Browns with a 6-3 record, that despite being out-gained in every game, and minus in point differential. 4th quarter comebacks were a staple in the Kenny Pickett arsenal.
Not this time.
The Browns, who were already minus Nick Chubb at running back, were also with Deshaun Watson, and started Dorian Thompson-Robinson in his place. The Steelers had every break needed to win yet again and improve to 7-3, gain a huge advantage over the Browns, and stay in contention for 1st place in the AFC North with Baltimore.
Final: 13-10 Cleveland.
It was a total day of futility yet again for the Pittsburgh offense, with Pickett throwing for just 106 yards, and the team gaining 249 overall.
The run game behind Jaylon Warren and Najee Harris did their part, ripping Cleveland for 172 yards on the ground, 129 belonging to Warren, but the lack of a passing game came back to bite Pittsburgh, who with the loss, fell to 3rd place in the division.
“There’s just a lot of stuff that just goes around… that you don’t see,” Harris said in regards to the struggling offense. “I guess that’s what I’m trying to say. I am just at a point, man … where … I’m just tired of this sh*t.
“Is it fixable? Yeah. But are we going to fix it?”
That answer looked as if it would be “no” for the rest of this season, then the unexpected happened on Tuesday.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired.
Canada, whose offense scored just 42 touchdowns in 43 games, and saw not one, not two, but three quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, and Pickett all struggle mightily in his system, was finally relieved of his duties, much to the delight of Steeler Nation.
Eddie Faulkner will take over as offensive coordinator, with Mike Sullivan calling the plays.
“Just in one day with ‘Faulk’ today as the lead man,” said center Mason Cole. “It was good to see the leadership. And I am looking forward to more of it.”
Tight end Pat Freiermuth was also excited to be working with both Sullivan and Faulkner.
“He (Sullivan) is very positive. He’s a great guy. He definitely knows football,” Freiermuth said. “He’s been around the league a little bit, and I am excited to see how he calls a game.
“Eddie, he’s a very inspiring guy. He gets the guys going. He’s a good guy to be around, and he’s definitely been one of the leaders on our offense.”
Wide receiver George Pickens is hoping to see the offense open up and take some chances downfield with Faulkner and Sullivan.
“I would hope so,” said Pickens. “All I can do personally is keep working, but I would hope so, personally, yeah.”
With the Steelers visiting the Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) this Sunday, the offense will certainly have their chance to prove that Canada was indeed the main problem, and not Pickett, or anyone else for that matter. The Cincinnati defense is allowing 22.6 points per game, which is 21st in the NFL, and giving up 386.1 yards per game, ranking 30th. Their pass defense is 27th, giving up 247.8 yards, so Pickett will have his opportunity to finally put up numbers not befitting a Pop Warner game.
Harris and Warren will also get a chance to pounce upon a Cinci run defense ranked 31st, giving up 138.3 yards per game.
The time for excuses are over. The proverbial turkey is on the table for Pittsburgh and their much maligned offense in this game.
“It’s a challenge to everybody,” Pickett said. “You have to take it personally. It’s a guy you’ve worked with since I was drafted here. You want to play great; you don’t want to see someone get let go like that. We have to the answer the bell, find out what we need to do to play better and take care of business.”
The Bengals have lost quarterback Joe Burrow for the year, and in his place is Jake Browning, who threw for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals loss to Baltimore. He was sacked three times, but did add 39 yards on the ground.
Browning still has one of the best receiving corps in the league to throw to, although they will be without Tee Higgins.
Ja’Marr Chase is one of the best in the league, and has 71 receptions for 833 yards and six touchdowns on the season.
Pittsburgh native and Pitt alum Tyler Boyd has caught 47 passes for 439 yards and two touchdowns, and Trenton Irwin has added 16 catches for 191 yards and a score.
Tight ends Irv Smith, Jr. and Drew Sample have 14 and 10 receptions respectively.
Joe Mixon still leads the rushing attack, but the Bengals are 30th in the league averaging just 80.9 yards per game. Mixon has rushed for 605 yards and four touchdowns, and has caught 31 passes for 188 yards and a score.
The time is now or never for the Steelers.
The offense won’t be able to change overnight, but the team had three days to draw up a few new schemes and find ways for Pickett to find his receivers in stride, in the middle of the field, and on a few crossing routes.
It’s far past time to see an offense that isn’t junior high sophisticated, utilizing players in motion, play action passes, screens, counters, and route trees not drawn up in the dirt.
Though safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is still out, the defense should be able to keep Browning under wraps most of the time. The Bengals aren’t very good at running the ball, so if that part of the game is taken away, Cincinnati will have to rely on Browning to give them a chance. It’s time for T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to feed this game. Constant pressure is a must, not a suggestion.
The defense limited Cleveland’s Thompson-Robinson to just 165 yards passing last week, but on the last drive he went four of four to drive the Browns downfield for the game winning field goal. The defense got zero pressure on DTR that drive.
That said, it was hard to fault the defense when the offense garnered just 10 points.
With Arizona, New England, and Indianapolis coming up, this is a huge game for Pittsburgh, and any continued hopes they have for not only making the playoffs, but still having an outside shot at the division title, are on the line.
The time of playing not to lose has to end. With Canada gone, it’s time for the team to see what they truly have in Pickett. The shackles have to come off and the offense has to open up.
Expect a bounce back game from the horrific performance witnessed last week. The team may not look like the 80’s 49ers or the Rams Greatest Show on Turf, but it will look sharper and more explosive than the misery Pittsburgh has suffered though during the Canada era.
Steelers defense shuts down a wounded Bengals offense and Pickett starts down the path of proving all the doubters wrong.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Bengals 12
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: CBS (Local: KDKA-TV channel 802 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Charles Davis (analyst) | Evan Washburn (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Sports USA
- Announcers: Larry Kahn (play-by-play) Mark Carrier (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 6-4 (3rd in AFC North)
Last Game: Browns 13 Steelers 10
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 17th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 169-97-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Schedule
STEELERS OFFENSE
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 16.6 (28th)
- Total yards per game: 297.9 (29th)
- Passing yards per game: 187.8 (31st)
- Rushing yards per game: 110.1 (16th)
QUARTERBACK
Kenny Pickett | #8
Pickett has yet to become the quarterback the Steelers envisioned him, and now with Matt Canada gone, will get a chance to prove that it was the system, and not his poor play that was hampering the offense. Pickett has to keep his cool in the pocket, step up, and make NFL capable throws.
Passing Yards: 1,722 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 21
Rushing Yards: 46 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10
Passing Yards: 156 | TD Passes: 1| INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris and Warren are forming a formidable one-two punch in the Steelers rushing attack. Harris has looked strong and assertive the past three weeks.
Rushing Yards: 499 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 116 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylon Warren | #30
Warren always finds a way to hit the hole and get positive yardage, and has become a weapon catching passes out of the backfield. If Harris wasn’t a first round pick, he’d probably be listed as the starter, as he has earned that distinction with his play.
Rushing Yards: 493 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 34 | Receiving Yards: 234 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Anthony McFarland | #26
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Diontae Johnson | #18
Johnson has been Pickett’s favorite target since returning from injury.
Receptions: 26 | Receiving Yards: 335 | Receiving TD’s: 1
George Pickens | #14
Pickens leads the team with 37 receptions for 604 yards, but hasn’t been the sharpest route runner, which may explain why Pickett has targeted Johnson so much. That said, the team has to find a way to get Pickens the ball more often, especially down field.
Receptions: 37 | Receiving Yards: 604 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Allen Robinson II | #11
Robinson hasn’t made much of an impact as the team thought he would when signed in the off-season.
Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 174 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Calvin Austin III | #19
The shifty receiver could be utilized in a variety of ways in a competent offense, but… perhaps with Canada gone, the team will find a way to get him the ball in space.
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 165 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Miles Boykin | #13
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
To say Freiermuth has been under utilized is… well, the understatement of the season. It’s time for Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan to get him the ball between the numbers, an area that has to be utilized going forward if the offense is to get better.
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 60 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward makes the most of his opportunities when called upon.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 137 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Darnell Washington | #80
The world awaits “Mount” Washington to be utilized in the Steelers passing attack, especially in the red zone. Washington has become a devastating blocker in the run game.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 31 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
STEELERS DEFENSE (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 19.5 (7th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 367.6 (27th)
- Passing yards allowed: 239.9 (23rd)
- Rushing yards allowed: 127.7 (23rd)
- Sacks: 28 (15th)
- Interceptions: 11 (4th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 1
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 2
LINEBACKERS
OLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 36 | Sacks: 11.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
ILB: Mark Robinson | #93
Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 71 | Sacks: 1.5
OLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 4.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Damontae Kazee | #23
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
SS: Trenton Thompson | #17
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Patrick Peterson | #20
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
STEELERS SPECIAL TEAMS
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 14-14
Field Goals: 18-19
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 5-5
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 6-6
- 50+ yards: 4-5
KICKOFF RETURNER
Anthony McFarland, Jr. | #26
Average: 27.3 | TD Returns: 0
Godwin Igwebuike | #48
Average: 23.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 5.9 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Cincinnati Bengals
Overall record: 5-5 (4th in AFC North)
Last game: Ravens 34 Bengals 20
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
- 4th Season with Cincinnati
- Overall regular-season record: 33-41
- Playoff Record: 5-2
Team Links
BENGALS OFFENSE
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 20.2 (20th)
- Total Offense per game: 318.8 (22nd)
- Passing yards per game: 237.7 (17th)
- Rushing yards per game: 80.9 (30th)
QUARTERBACK
Jake Browning | #6
Browning is the guy with Joe Burrow out for the season. Looked lost while dropping back to pass in relief of Burrow, completing 8 of 14 passes, and was sacked three times.
Passing Yards: 68 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 3
Rushing Yards: 39 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: P.J. Walker | #10
Passing Yards: 618 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 7
Rushing Yards: 31 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Joe Mixon | #28
Mixon is the lead back for the Bengals, leading the team with 605 yards, but the team is averaging just 80.9 yards a game on the ground. Still a threat out of the backfield catching passes, ranking 3rd on the team with 31 receptions.
Rushing Yards: 605 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 188 | TD’s: 1
Trayveon Williams | #32
Rushing Yards: 59 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 9 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ja’Marr Chase | #1
Chase is one of the top receiving threats in the league, but will be thrive with Burrow out and Browning in under center?
Receptions: 71 | Receiving Yards: 833 | Receiving TD’s: 7
Tee Higgins* | #5
Higgins could be a #1 receiver on many teams, but his talents won’t be seen this week as he is still out injured.
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 328 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Tyler Boyd | #83
Boyd, the former Pittsburgh native and Pitt alum, is 2nd on the team with 47 receptions. Will see plenty of looks with Higgins out.
Receptions: 47 | Receiving Yards: 439 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Trenton Irwin | #16
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 191 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Andrei Iosivas | #80
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 23 | Receiving TD’s: 2
TIGHT ENDS
Tanner Hudson | #87
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 175 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Irv Smith, Jr. | #81
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Drew Sample | #89
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 71 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
BENGALS DEFENSE (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 22.6 (21st)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 386.1 (30th)
- Passing yards allowed: 247.8 (27th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 138.3 (31st)
- Sacks: 26 (18th)
- Interceptions: 12 (2nd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Sam Hubbard | #94
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 4
DT: D.J. Reader | #98
Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 1
DT: B.J. Hill | #92
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 4
DE: Trey Hendrickson | #91
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 9.5
LINEBACKERS
OLB: Logan Wilson | #55
Tackles: 79 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 3
MLB: Germaine Pratt | #57
Tackles: 71 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 2
OLB: Akeem Davis-Gaither | #59
Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Chidobe Awuzie | #22
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Nick Scott | #33
Tackles: 50 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Dax Hill | #23
Tackles: 67 | Sacks: 1.5 | INT: 2
CB: Cam Taylor-Britt | #29
Tackles: 46 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 4
BENGALS SPECIAL TEAMS
PLACEKICKER
Evan McPherson | #7
Extra Points: 22-22
Field Goals: 16-20
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 4-4
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 5-5
- 50+ yards: 6-10
KICKOFF RETURNER
Trayveon Williams | #32
Average: 22.9 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Charlie Jones | #15
Average: 9.8 | TD Returns: 0
STEELERS vs BENGALS HISTORY
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 68-39
- Home: 35-18
- Away: 33-21
- Postseason: 2-0
Streak: Bengals won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Bengals Win, 37-30 (Nov. 20, 2022)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Jan. 9, 2016)
INJURY REPORT (11/24/23)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: S Keanu Neal
Out: FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hamstring), DT Montravius Adams Sr. (Ankle)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Jamies Pierre (Shoulder)
Cincinnati Bengals
Out: QB Joe Burrow (Right Wrist), WR Tee Higgins (Hamstring), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (Quad)
Doubtful: OT D’Ante Smith (Knee)
Questionable: HB Chase Brown (Hamstring), LB Germaine Pratt (Illness)
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
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