The 2020 Steelers have successfully etched themselves in the lore of the franchise going 8-0 for the first time in team history. The jury is still out whether or not they will be remembered as an all time great team amongst the many in Steelers history. To do that, they will need to display endurance through the second half of the season and into the playoffs.
Unless a first round bye is secured, the team would have to play in 17 straight weeks, or a full regular seasons worth, to make it to the Super Bowl. A tough task for any team in the NFL.
The Steelers looked exhausted at the end of a tough and physical three game road trip, so look for the team to look slightly more rested with the extra day of no travel.
Steelers vs. Bengals all time record: 66-35-0
Steelers vs. Bengals (at home): 34-16-0
Last match result: 16-10 Steelers (2019)
Notable offseason additions: CB Mackensie Alexander, S Vonn Bell, G Xavier Su’a-Filo
Notable draft picks: QB Joe Burrow, WR Tee Higgins
Steelers Inactives:
QB Josh Dobbs
RB Anthony McFarland
DB Mike Hilton
LB Jayrone Elliott
DE Isaiah Buggs
Bengals Inactives:
K Austin Seibert
RB Joe Mixon
CB LeShaun Sims
OG Keaton Sutherland
OL Bobby Hart
DT Geno Atkins
Tyson Alualu will be returning from a minor MCL injury that held him out of most of two games. This should help boost a run defense that went from first to worst in his absence.
Scouting reports:
The Steelers will receive to start the game. Ben Roethlisberger and the offense out first.
Ray-Ray McCloud took the ball out of the end zone on kickoff and made it back to only the 15 yard line. The first play of the game was an incomplete pass off target to Eric Ebron.
A nice 13 yard pickup on a wide receiver screen to Diontae Johnson to get a fresh set of downs.
A nice run up the middle for James Conner on first, but a couple incompletions including a 3rd and 5 deep pass that was way off target result in a punt.
The ball was punched out on the return by Ola Adeniyi and recovered by the Steelers. The Steelers find themselves on the 32 yard line just about to enter the red zone.
On 1st, James Conner went around the left end for a pickup of a yard, but got the ball on a delayed handoff the next play for a pickup of 7.
The Steelers attempted a shovel pass to Juju Smith-Schuster, but it was immediately tackled upon the catch. Chris Boswell for the field goal, and its good. 3-0 Steelers.
Another interesting special teams play, as the wind caused a bit of a squib kick for Chris Boswell. The Bengals return man bobbled the ball long enough to make it interesting, but ultimately it was a touchback.
A false start gives the Bengals a 1st and 15, with an incomplete pass on 1st. 2nd down and 15, a complete pass to Tee Higgins over the middle for a gain of 8.
Joe Haden with a nice pass break up intended for Tyler Boyd. The Bengals will punt. It is anybody’s guess where this punt could go given the wind. The Steelers will start this drive from their own 34 yard line.
Another holding call on Eric Ebron. He has a nice portfolio of penalties to his name this season.
James Conner with nowhere to go perfectly sealed inside the tackle box by the Bengals. Went down for a gain of 1. 2nd and 19, and a 10 yard pickup for Diontae Johnson on a quick hook route, setting up 3rd and 9. Pass off the hands of Diontae Johnson for what could have been a 1st down pickup, nearly intercepted.
The punt takes a Steelers bounce and pins the Bengals back on their own 12 yard line.
Giovani Bernard to the right side for about a 3 yard pickup on the 1st down rush. The Bengals were called for an illegal formation, but the pass went incomplete, so the Steelers declined the penalty. Another pass breakup for Joe Haden on 3rd down to set up another punt.
A great start to the game for the Steelers defense, and Joe Haden.
And ditto the special teams unit, too. Ray-Ray McCloud returned the ball 15 yards across the midfield mark for good starting field position for the Steelers.
A nice reverse play for the Steelers from Ray-Ray McCloud to Chase Claypool. Something that the Steelers did earlier in the season, but had gotten away from it. 18 yard pickup.
The Steelers in field goal range now, although the wind would make it tough.
James Conner up the middle for 16 yards. Roethlisberger had trouble fielding the snap on 1st down and ran it back to the line of scrimmage before giving himself up.
James Conner received the dump off pass in the middle and delivered a hit to Bengals corner, Mackensie Alexander. Alexander was shaken up on the play. Their secondary depth was already razor thin. Thankfully for them, the wind will be the best member of the secondary for both teams today.
Ben Roethlisberger shaking his elbow out after the play, something to keep an eye on. On 3rd and 5, Ben to the back of the end zone. Overthrown Eric Ebron. Chris Boswell lining up for another field goal for a 30 yard attempt.
Boswell judged the wind very well and the field goal is good. 6-0 Steelers.
The kickoff nearly rolled out of bounds, but somehow was pinned right in the corner. The return man picked it up and was able to regain to the 20 yard line.
A lackluster drive by the Bengals leads to another punt. On the punt, another hold by the Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow must be fine, as he threw a beautiful deep ball along the left sideline to Diontae Johnson for a 46 yard pickup.
James Washington the very next play for 16 yards after catching a short pass and breaking a tackle. Three straight great passing plays, as Diontae Johnson does a quick slant route for the touchdown. The Steelers went for two, but failed to convert on a Chase Claypool fade. 12-0 Steelers.
Robert Spillane with a neutral zone infraction trying to time the snap. The Bengals pickup a 1st down with an explosive play to Tyler Boyd who ran up the right sideline. The Bengals nearing the midfield mark.
Tee Higgins with a reception on first down for what would have been a nice pickup, but Cameron Sutton ripped the ball out for another fumble! The Steelers recover.
The end of the 1st quarter and the Steelers are up 12-0 with the ball.
Ben Roethlisberger escapes some pressure to extend the play on 2nd. James Washington for about 14 yards just shy of the first down.
Sam Hubbard nearly picked up the ball at the line of scrimmage, but the ball was batted down. The Steelers punt to the Bengals 10. Jordan Berry continues his excellent punt placement since he rejoined the team.
Samaje Perine up the middle for a nice pickup for the Bengals. Followed by another explosive play of 54 yards to Tee Higgins. The Bengals are now in scoring position. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Sutton with the blown coverage.
1st and goal for the Bengals with an incomplete pass on 1st. A miscommunication between Joe Burrow and the receiver. Giovani Bernard up the middle for a few yards to setup 3rd and short near the goal line. The Steelers defense flushed Burrow out of the pocket and forced him to throw it away.
The Bengals are going for it on 4th and goal. Tee Higgins on a quick slant for the touchdown. The extra point from Randy Bullock is good. 12-7 Steelers.
Ben Roethlisberger incomplete intended for Juju Smith-Schuster on 1st. A short gain on 2nd down to Ray-Ray McCloud.
Roethlisberger to Smith-Schuster for a pickup of 24 with Jessie Bates in coverage on a corner route.
Sam Hubbard late hit on Roethlisberger’s knees lead to a personal foul and another 15 yard pickup. The Steelers enter scoring position in the red zone.
Ben Roethlisberger to Chase Claypool in the end zone, but Claypool was interfered with for what otherwise would have been an easy touchdown. Steelers have a 1st and goal from the 5 yard line. Ben rolled out and threatened as if he would run it in himself, before darting it in to Chase Claypool in the end zone. Claypool couldn’t haul it in.
A sweep to Chase Claypool on 2nd down for a couple yard loss. On 3rd down, Ben Roethlisberger stepped up in the pocket and delivered a touchdown pass to Juju Smith-Schuster under pressure. Juju had a couple steps on the defender.
The Chris Boswell point after attempt was good. 17-9 Steelers.
The Bengals start their drive from the 25. Giovanni Bernard up the middle for a gain of 2. Tee Higgins reception on the next play over the middle for a 1st down pickup with Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick in coverage. He has been good at getting in the soft spot of the zone.
Joe Burrow has not been under much pressure today which is surprising given the injuries along their offensive line and the Steelers propensity for pressure.
Cameron Sutton in coverage on 2nd down for an incompletion. 3rd and 12 for the Bengals. Maybe some of that pass rush will come alive here. Steelers send only four, Bud Dupree on the twist forced Burrow to sidestep into TJ Watt for the sack.
Ben Roethlisberger to Diontae Johnson for a 1st down and then some on 1st down. He went back to Johnson on the next play, but was off target. Johnson batted the ball down to prevent any kind of interception.
Ben Roethlisberger to Eric Ebron up the seam for 24 yards to cross the midfield mark. Diontae Johnson is having a hell of a game, catches a ball in the flat and taking it another 17 yards. He is up to 116 yards and a touchdown on the day.
Ben Roethlisberger underthrew the ball and Jessie Bates nearly undercut the route for an interception. The Steelers have a 3rd and 15 from the 30 yard line and Juju was brought down immediately on a quick pass into the flats.
Chris Boswell made the field goal, but there is a penalty on the play. The referees picked up the flag, so the field goal stands. 22-7 Steelers.
The Bengals desperately need to put something together here to make it competitive in the 2nd half. They are marching down the field a bit as the Steelers stay in their dime with Marcus Allen on the field at the dime linebacker.
TJ Watt notches his 2nd sack of the day with a big first down sack to make the clock run down to 00:12 in the half. The Bengals had to spike the ball to give themselves another play or two. 3rd and 22 for the Bengals.
4th down, and the Bengals complete the pass but have nowhere near enough time to get in position for a field goal. The first half is complete.
HALFTIME: 22-7 Steelers.
