Bengals travel to Pittsburgh today
What to look for from the Steelers this afternoon at Heinz Field:
ON OFFENSE
The Bengals didn鈥檛 want to get beat deep in their last two games against the Steelers, so the Steelers were able to use their tight end and screen game to full advantage. Expect much of the same today, particularly since the Bengals have a new free safety, Shawn Williams, in place of the departed Reggie Nelson. The Steelers should also be able to run inside on the Bengals against the aging, slowing Domata Peko and without Burfict at linebacker.
ON DEFENSE
The Steelers are upset about not getting any sacks last week and the Bengals are upset about allowing seven. Let鈥檚 split the different and say the Steelers will get three or four today. The guess here is that Jarvis Jones will break out with multiple sacks. And, look for them to come from a variety of places, since he鈥檚 playing on both sides as well as in the middle on third downs.
PREDICTION
The Steelers have done so well in home openers at Heinz Field and see no reason why they won鈥檛 today. The Bengals are one-dimensional without their Nos. 2-3 receivers and their tight end. As long as the Steelers keep two sets of eyes on Green, make sure rookie Tyler Boyd doesn鈥檛 have a homecoming, and put pressure on Dalton, Roethlisberger and Co. should score enough to win this key AFC North opener. Steelers, 27-20.
BY THE NUMBERS
4: Number of catches needed by Antonio Brown to pass John Stallworth into third place on the Steelers鈥� all-time list.
5: Number of consecutive seasons A.J. Green has made the Pro Bowl. The last player to open his career with five Pro Bowls was Mike Ditka (1961-65).
12: Number of catches made by Green in the opening week to lead the league.
13: Number of catches made by Carl Pickens against the Steelers in 1998 to hold the Bengals team record.
14: Number of wins by the Steelers in 16 home openers at Heinz Field, if they beat the Bengals.
143: Number of rushing yards gained by DeAngelo Williams last week to lead the league. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a testament to how he takes care of his body from the time he came into the league,鈥� said offensive coordinator Todd Haley. 鈥淗e has been able to keep his quickness and speed.鈥�
DOWNLOADS
n The Steelers held Geno Atkins to one tackle in the second meeting last year, but he made three tackles with a sack in the playoff game. Last week he made four tackles against the Jets with a sack and two other tackles-for-loss. He鈥檚 primarily David DeCastro鈥檚 assignment. 鈥淗e鈥檚 running to the ball better. He鈥檚 quicker,鈥� said Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. 鈥淚n practice I鈥檝e seen a spin move he never used to have. He plays the run well, and to me he鈥檚 the best inside pass rusher in the league. Just when you think he can鈥檛 get any better, he has.鈥�
n Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley was asked about Antonio Brown鈥檚 numbers 鈥渘ot being as good against Cincinnati.鈥� Well, in 10 starts against the Bengals, Brown has averaged 6.4 catches for 90 yards. In his 51 other starts, he鈥檚 averaged 7.4 catches for 105 yards. So, yes, he鈥檚 had a slight decrease. Said Haley: 鈥淚 think they know us, number-one. There is great familiarity both ways. They鈥檝e been one of the top defenses. You have to give them credit for being a talented group that understands how they are being coached, whether it was Coach (Mike) Zimmer or now with Coach Guenther. They are very clear on what they are supposed to do. They don鈥檛 have a lot of smoke and mirrors, but they have a lot of talented guys that do it the way they are supposed to do it.鈥�
n A.J. Green has averaged 8.3 catches for 117 yards in his last six games against the Steelers. But in his first five games against the Steelers, when Ike Taylor was playing AND healthy, Green averaged 5 catches for 82 yards.
n Markus Wheaton is listed as questionable, but the Steelers would welcome the return of their more reliable No. 2 receiver. But while he鈥檚 more consistent, Wheaton isn鈥檛 as explosive as Sammie Coates. Veteran deep threat Darrius Heyward-Bey is also in the mix. Here鈥檚 how Haley sees that spot: 鈥淲ith Eli (Rogers) being inside predominantly now, I think we have three players that are all good players. Sammie is looking to become a really good player. But they all have different strengths. They all can run, obviously, but we have some size, different quickness levels, even different speed levels. I think it鈥檚 a nice thing for coaches, because here, as I have said a number of times, I try to put guys into position to do what they do best. So you will see us moving guys in and out, on and off the field, to try to put them in position to make plays.鈥�
n Mike Tomlin said the Bengals 鈥済ot a steal鈥� when they signed outside linebacker Karlos Dansby in free agency. In fact, the soon-to-be 35-year-old might be one of the most underrated players in league history. With one more interception, he鈥檒l join Ray Lewis, Seth Joyner, Wilber Marshall and Brian Urlacher as the only linebackers with 40 sacks and 20 interceptions. Dansby has 41-19, but he has never been named to a Pro Bowl. The aforementioned quartet have combined to make 27 Pro Bowls. Last year, Dansby led the Cleveland Browns with 108 tackles and three interceptions. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns.
PARTING SHOT
鈥滻鈥檝e got a lot of respect for the Steelers, but I鈥檓 still going to try and punch them in the mouth.鈥� 鈥� Bengals WR Tyler Boyd, of Clairton H.S. and the University of Pittsburgh.