The Steelers were a playoff team in 2021 despite the two losses to the Bengals. Those losses were the Steelers’ only defeats in AFC North play. The Bengals opened division competition in Week 3 last year with a stunning win in Pittsburgh and that set the tone for their AFC North title run.
Here are five storylines to watch going into Sunday’s opener:
1. Trubisky as Big Ben’s successor
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin named former Bears quarterback and 2021 Bills backup Mitch Trubisky as the team’s new starting quarterback to open the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. “Big Ben” had been Pittsburgh’s quarterback for 18 years but retired in January.
Trubisky isn’t as physically difficult to bring down as Roethlisberger was, but he’s athletic enough to extend plays and in that way, the Bengals aren’t expecting much change.
“It’s hard to predict,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Roethlisberger’s made a lot of plays with his feet in extending plays over the years. I think that’s something that Mitch also brings to the table, so there’s the possibility of that. He’s obviously got really good athleticism and he’s been a good passer when he needs to be. They’ve elected him a captain so he’s obviously a leader on the team so he’s done some really good things for them. We’re planning to play against a really good quarterback on Sunday.”
2. Eyes on the trenches
Both teams faced questions about their offensive lines going into the offseason, but while the Bengals left no uncertainty about their intent to better protect Joe Burrow, the Steelers still have major concerns at that position thanks to a rocky preseason display.
After allowing Burrow to be sacked 70 times throughout a Super Bowl season, Cincinnati attacked an overhaul during free agency, adding veterans Alex Cappa, Ted Karras and La’el Collins. Rookie fourth-round draft pick Cordell Volson won the starting left guard job over Jackson Carman this preseason.
ProFootballFocus.com called it the most upgraded offensive line in the league, but the group didn’t start practicing together until the final week of the preseason and Collins already has drawn injury concerns with a delayed start to his training camp because of a back issue.
Taylor said he looked good this week and is ready to go, but Sunday will be the first look at a line that may need some time to jell. Pittsburgh’s defensive line isn’t any slouch, either. The Steelers have led the league in sacks for the past five years and bring back NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, along with the additions of guys like Larry Ogunjobi and Myles Jack.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line reportedly struggled with consistency all throughout training camp, so it could be an opportunity for the Bengals’ defensive line. Trey Hendrickson looks to build off a 14-sack season, and Cincinnati went from a league-worst 17 sacks in 2020 to recording 42 sacks in 2021 (11th most).
There is a fire within us.#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/Gk981qfBL1
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 9, 2022
3. Another big day for Mixon?
The Steelers tried to account for the Bengals weapons in the passing game last year and Joe Mixon ended up beating them, so it will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh’s defense attacks the box this time.
Mixon ran for 90 yards on 18 carries in the first matchup in Pittsburgh, and he had 165 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in the second meeting in Cincinnati. He finished the season with 1,205 yards rushing and is expecting even bigger numbers with the new linemen considered to be strong in run blocking as well. Mixon and the Bengals are hoping for a more explosive running game this year.
“We left a lot of yards out there,” Mixon said of last year. “Everybody sees the splash plays and the yards, but I left 400 or 500 yards on the field and obviously about 10 touchdowns last year. If we clean certain things up from my end and probably one block away, that can turn into even more. We definitely can improve. That starts week 1. It obviously starts in practice, it started in camp when we reported, I look forward to what the year brings.”
4. Week 1 readiness
Not only will the Bengals’ offensive line be playing its first game together, but none of the starters, aside from Volson, took snaps in the preseason, and one starter – Jessie Bates – wasn’t around most of training camp. That leaves some to wonder about how ready the team will be and how in unison players will be after seven months away from action. Pittsburgh played its starters in the preseason.
The Bengals don’t seem concerned about the lack of game reps for the starters. Burrow has never really had a preseason, and Bates pointed out that his best season came in 2020 when no one had a preseason. So, Bates doesn’t think his absence will make a big impact. He was out until the final week of the preseason (due to a holdout before signing his franchise tag) and Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said he hasn’t skipped a beat.
There’s also some curiosity as to what Anarumo will do to get rookie Dax Hill on the field and what that will look like with Bates on the field.
5. Injury reports
The Steelers have no players listed as questionable or out for Sunday on the final injury report of the week, released Friday. Linebacker Marcus Allen (hamstring), wide receiver Diontae Johnson (shoulder/cramps), offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (back) and defensive tackle Cam Heyward (veteran’s day off) missed time in practices this week but were full participants Friday.
The Bengals have three players who were listed on the game status report.
Tight end Devin Asiasi (quad) has been ruled out, while tight end Mitchell Wilcox (ankle) and wide receiver Trent Taylor (hamstring) are questionable. Taylor’s injury could be a concern as he also is the team’s punt returner, but the Bengals could elevate Kwamie Lassiter from the practice squad for that role if Taylor is unavailable.
Collins wasn’t on the injury report, though he had his ankle wrapped Friday at practice. Taylor said that was something Collins had been dealing with for a while now, and he is looking good and ready to play Sunday.
SUNDAY’S GAME
Steelers at Bengals, 1 p.m., Ch. 7, 12; 1530, 102.7, 104.7
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