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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, Game Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Epic Failure.
Those would be the two words to describe the loss to the Cleveland Browns by the Pittsburgh Steelers in their last game.
From the coaching staff, down to the punter himself, the lack of execution and preparation lead to a stunning 24-19 loss to a team that was 2-8, and was just days away from being blown away by New Orleans by 21 points.
The game and a half lead over the Baltimore Ravens has now been shaved to a half game, and the pressure only gets more stifling as the Steelers now prepare for a visit to Paycor Stadium in Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), this Sunday at 1:00 PM.
This game represents two things for the Steelers, one gaining momentum and confidence back after the unacceptable loss to Cleveland, and the 2nd a chance to all but bury any chance the Bengals have at making the playoffs this season.
A loss could hand the division lead back to the Ravens, if they are able to take down the Eagles.
To get back on track, there are plenty of areas to improve upon for the Steelers, including converting on 3rd and short situations, getting the ball into the end zone instead of settling for field goals, and producing more than a yards or two on first down plays.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on that,” Steelers running back Jaylen Warren said in regards to the problems in short yardage spots. “We have a plan for that, and we’re excited to get to work.”
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith says the execution has to improve.
“We’ve got to be better there. That’s the reality on the ground. We’ve got to have better answers,” Smith said. “It’s pro football. That ball is snapped, and sometimes it’s one-on-one. They get paid, too. The things you’ve got to do as a coach you put on you. ‘All right, I’ve got to coach it better or we’ve got to do this.’ But there’s a point where you’ve got to bow up. It becomes one-on-one football, like an old-school Oklahoma drill. That’s the reality of it.”
As for the red zone, it’s far past time for the Steelers to stop playing conservative and being predictable.
Ranking 30th in red-zone offense isn’t going to cut it, especially down the stretch.
Introducing the forward pass might help, too. On 22 of 25 plays inside the red zone with Russell Wilson at quarterback, the Steelers have run the ball.
“That’s a critical part to any offense, the ability to change up looks and get to the same plays and also change up looks and get to new things,” said Wilson. “In critical moments, you want to go with what you know and what’s really good. That’s what the great teams do. They trust what they do and they trust what they know.
“As we continue to get better each week, that’s a critical part to it. As you play more division games, to be able to manipulate the defense with different looks is really important because the more games you play, the more people understand what you’re trying to do.”
The Steelers offense will have to be on point this week, as the Bengals offense is as potent as ever.
Joe Burrow is 3rd in the NFL with 3,028 yards passing, with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. Burrow has been sacked 26 times.
His main weapons are receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Chase leads the league with 12 touchdowns receptions off of 73 receptions for 1,056 yards, while Higgins as caught 38 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns, despite playing in only six games this year.
Andrei Iosivas is the 3rd option at receiver, and has just 20 catches, but four of them have found the end zone.
Tight end Mike Gesicki in his first year as a Bengal has caught 34 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns.
Chase Brown has taken over as the Bengals primary back, and has rushed for 607 yards and five touchdowns.
As good as the Bengals offense is, their defense is awful, allowing 26.9 points per game, which is 29th in the NFL.
If the Steelers aspire to be the team they want to be, then this is a must-win game.
A victory improves them to 9-3, with a much anticipated rematch with those same Browns just a week away at home.
With a game against Kansas City still looming on Christmas Day, the 1st seed in the AFC is still within reach, but from here on out, this team has to start asserting themselves as a major threat, and losing consecutive games to teams well below .500 will kill any hopes of that happening.
The defense has to get back to sacking opposing quarterbacks. Despite all the pass rushing talent the Steelers have with the likes of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Preston Smith, and Cam Heyward, the team has just 25 sacks so far, which ranks 23d in the NFL.
If the team allows Burrow to stand back in the pocket unscathed, this game could get ugly in a hurry.
“Four-man pressure, five-man pressure, whatever we have to do because he is elite at extending plays and buying time,” said Heyward about Burrow. “With his two receivers, when you give them just a crease, they are going to make big plays.”
Joey Porter, Jr. and the secondary will have their hands full trying to keep Chase contained.
“As a defense, we’ve just got to fly to the ball and don’t let him get any YAC yards,” Porter said. “We’ve got to be close to the point of catch. We’ve seen a lot of tape of him breaking out of tackles and making long runs. We’ve got to play sound football.”
The Bengals will find a way to score on Sunday. It’s just about making them earn every yard they get and eat up the game clock. Limiting splash plays is a must.
There is a good reason the Bengals are 4-7… they aren’t that good, and they find ways to lose, despite their powerful offense.
Let’s not mince words, the loss to the Browns was a bad one, but Pittsburgh didn’t get to 8-3 by luck. Five of their wins are against teams that are currently in playoff position.
The Bengals defense can be had in the air and on the ground, so the Steelers should be able to employ a balanced attack to keep Cincinnati on their heels.
Wilson and the offense has to be more explosive on first downs, setting up favorable 2nd and 3rd down spots.
It is a good bet to see Wilson getting the ball to George Pickens early and often, and it would behoove the Steelers to get Mike Williams more involved.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren could be in a for a big day on the ground if the run and the passing game can support one another.
A strong start on the ground could set up some big plays down field via play action.
It will be a typical AFC North battle between these two teams, but the cream will rise to the top in this game.
Pittsburgh will bounce back with a big game on offense and the defense will do just enough to escape home with a huge win on the road.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Bengals 27
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
- NFL Week 13
Vegas line: Cincinnati -3
Game-time: Sunday, December 1st, at 1:00 PM
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
- Field: FieldTurf
Weather at kickoff: 31 and partly sunny. Winds out of the West at 10 MPH.
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: Rob King (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks & Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 8-3 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Cleveland 24 Pittsburgh 19
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 18th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 181-103-2
- Playoff record: 8-10 (Qualified for playoffs 11 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Schedule
Steelers Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 22.9 (13th)
- Total yards per game: 347.6 (18th)
- Passing yards per game: 212.5 (27th)
- Rushing yards per game: 135.2 (8th)
QUARTERBACK
Russell Wilson | #3
Wilson made his Steelers debut in Prime Time against the Jets, and did not disappoint. Now he has the Steelers primed for a run at the AFC North Title.
Passing Yards: 1,212 | TD Passes: 7 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 16
Rushing Yards: 24 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Justin Fields | #2
Fields did all he could with Wilson out, but now takes a backseat for the time being. Should see playing time in certain situations, especially in the red zone.
Passing Yards: 1,106 | TD Passes: 5 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 16
Rushing Yards: 274 | Rushing TD’s: 5
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris has a bruising style of carrying the ball with a touch of finesse when needed. Good hands out of the backfield.
Rushing Yards: 749 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 195 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren is a wrecking ball that always seems to get positive yardage. He is a perfect change of pace back next to Harris and should see a minimum of 5-10 carries a game when healthy.
Rushing Yards: 303 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 142 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Patterson sees plenty of time on special teams, but with his speed and game-breaking ability, has also been utilized in both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield behind Warren and Harris.
Rushing Yards: 104 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 34 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Aaron Shampklin | #33
Rushing Yards: 17 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
George Pickens | #14
Pickens is undoubtedly the top receiving threat in the Pittsburgh passing game.
Receptions: 52 | Receiving Yards: 776 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Van Jefferson | #11
Jefferson signed with this team and seemed nothing more than an afterthought. His hard work and effort throughout camp and preseason impressed many, and hopes to get on track with Wilson as QB.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 178 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Mike Williams | #18
Strong, physical receiver that will try to get his career back on track with the Steelers. Has caught just one pass against the Commanders and it was a mesmerizing touchdown.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 198 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Calvin Austin III | #19
Austin III has plenty of skills to shine in this league. Now showing signs off life with Wilson throwing him the ball.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 354 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Roman Wilson* | #10
Wilson, the rookie out of Michigan, has been waiting to show off his skills after being injured ankle early in training camp. Finally made his debut against Las Vegas but did not get a pass thrown in his direction. Currently on IR.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Scotty Miller | #13
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 31 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 4 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Freiermuth is 2nd on the team with 31 receptions, but at the same time, seems underused, especially across the middle of the field.
Receptions: 35 | Receiving Yards: 354 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward is a jack of all trades, lining up at tight end, full back, and anywhere the team needs him to take advantage of his versatility.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 29 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure that could see plenty of looks inside the redzone, as he did when he caught his first career touchdown pass vs the Broncos in week two.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 182 | Receiving TD’s: 1
MyCole Pruitt | #81
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Dan Moore| #65
LG: Isaac Seumalo | #73
C: Zach Frazier | #62
RG: Mason McCormick | #66
RT: Broderick Jones | #77
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 16.9 (3rd)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 305.2 (7th)
- Passing yards allowed: 214.9 (17th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 90.3 (4th)
- Sacks: 25 (23rd)
- Interceptions: 12 (5th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 5
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 0
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 1.5
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 40 | Sacks: 7.5
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 79 | Sacks: 0
RILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 1
ROLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 2.5
SECONDARY
RCB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | #39
Tackles: 61 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 72 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
LCB: Donte Jackson | #26
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 3
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 21-21
Field Goals: 31-33
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 9-9
- 30-39 yards: 7-7
- 40-49 yards: 6-6
- 50+ yards: 9-11
KICKOFF RETURNER
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Average: 19.0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 11.4 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Cincinnati Bengals
Overall record: 4-7 (3rd in AFC North)
Last game: LA Chargers 34 Cincinnati 27
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
- 6th Season with Cincinnati
- Overall regular-season record: 41-51 | 41-51 with Bengals
- Playoff Record: 1-2
Team Links
Bengals Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 27 (6th)
- Total Offense per game: 366.8 (11th)
- Passing yards per game: 275.3 (2nd)
- Rushing yards per game: 91.5 (27th)
QUARTERBACK
Joe Burrow | #9
Burrow is once again one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, 3rd in the league with 3,028 yards passing. He’s thrown 27 touchdowns, with just four interceptions.
Passing Yards: 3,028 | TD Passes: 27 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 26
Rushing Yards: 151 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Jake Browning | #6
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Chase Brown | #30
Brown has taken the starting job from Zach Moss, and leads the team with 607 yards and five touchdowns.
Rushing Yards: 607 | Rushing TD’s: 5
Receptions: 35 | Receiving Yards: 207 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Zach Moss* | #34
Rushing Yards: 242 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 187 | TD’s: 1
Khalil Herbert | #34
Rushing Yards: 16 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 4 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ja’Marr Chase | #1
Chase is 6th in the NFL with 73 receptions for 1,056 yards and leads the league with 12 touchdowns.
Receptions: 73 | Receiving Yards: 1,056 | Receiving TD’s: 12
Tee Higgins | #5
Higgins has battled through injuries this year, yet is still 2nd on the team with 38 catches four 489 yards.
Receptions: 38 | Receiving Yards: 489 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Andrei Iosivas | #80
Iosivas has just 20 catches, but has found the end zone four times.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 274 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Jermaine Burton | #81
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 107 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Trenton Irwin | #16
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 15 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Mike Gesicki | #88
Gesicki has found a home in Cincinnati, and is 3rd on the team with 34 catches for 383 yards.
Receptions: 34 | Receiving Yards: 383 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Tanner Hudson | #87
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 87 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Bengals Defense
- Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 26.9 (29th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 355.5 (23rd)
- Passing yards allowed: 225.6 (23rd)
- Rushing yards allowed: 129.8 (20th)
- Sacks: 19 (30th)
- Interceptions: 6 (20th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Sam Hubbard | #94
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 1
LDT: Sheldon Rankins* | #98
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 1
RDT: B.J. Hill | #92
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 0
RDE: Trey Hendrickson | #91
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 11.5
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Logan Wilson | #55
Tackles: 104 | Sacks: 0 | INT:0
MLB: Germaine Pratt | #57
Tackles: 97 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SLB: Akeem Davis-Gaither | #59
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Cam Taylor-Britt | #29
Tackles: 50 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 1
SS: Vonn Bell | #24
Tackles: 48 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Geno Stone | #22
Tackles: 58 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
RCB: Josh Newton | #28
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Bengals Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Evan McPherson | #2
Extra Points: 32-33
Field Goals: 15-21
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 6-6
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 3-5
- 50+ yards: 3-7
KICKOFF RETURNER
Chase Brown | #30
Average: 26.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Trenton Irwin | #16
Average: 7.0 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Bengals History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 70-39
- Home: 36-18
- Away: 34-21
- Postseason: 2-0
Streak: Pittsburgh won the last two games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 34-11 (Dec. 23, 2023)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Jan. 9, 2016)
Injury Report (11/29/24)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: P Cam Johnson, OL Troy Fautanu (Knee)
Out: CB Cory Trice (hamstring), DT Montravius Adams (Knee)
Doubtful: LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle)
Questionable: None
Cincinnati Bengals
IR: N/A
Out: LB Logan Wilson (Knee)
Doubtful: WR Charlie Jones (Groin)
Questionable: OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula), DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness)
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2024 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (8-3)
Sun. Sept. 8: at Atlanta (W, 18-10)
Sun. Sept. 15: at Denver (W, 13-6)
Sun. Sept. 22: L.A. Chargers (W, 20-10)
Sun. Sept. 29: at Indianapolis (L, 24-27)
Sun. Oct. 6: Dallas (L, 17-20)
Sun. Oct. 13: at Las Vegas (W, 32-13)
Sun. Oct. 20: N.Y. Jets (W, 37-15)
Mon. Oct. 28: N.Y. Giants (W, 26-18)
BYE WEEK
Sun. Nov. 10: at Washington (W, 28-27)
Sun. Nov. 17: Baltimore (W, 18-16)
Thur. Nov. 21: at Cleveland (L, 19-24)
Sun. Dec. 1: at Cincinnati 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 8: Cleveland* 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 15: at Philadelphia* 4:25 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 21: at Baltimore* 4:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 25: Kansas City* TBD
* Game time/day subject to change
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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