I am sure they are going to be aiming at stopping us in the run game.
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The running game, however, was not good. Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard split the workload out of the backfield, combining for 56 yards on 14 carries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) are coming from a 38-16 win over the Washington Redskins in Week 1.
The defense, as previously mentioned will not want a repeat of their performance against the Jets.
BENGALS CB Josh Shaw sealed deal in Week 1 with interception in closing seconds. They also gave the Jets the opportunity to get 22 first downs, 11 passing and eight rushing but did well in keeping the third point conversion rate of the Jets below 50%. No matter what the Steelers say, they won’t allow themselves to be bullied by the Bengals and will defend each other when necessary.
Steelers’ offense is just on another level and every defense should worry about Big Ben and company. Pittsburgh will be without RB Le’Veon Bell, serving three-game suspension for violating league’s substance-abuse policy. In the two regular-season games last season he had 17 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. They have to ability to control the Bengals offense: if they can take away the run game, and pressure Andy Dalton. Also, Sammy Coates had 56 yards in two catches. All of these offensive weapons will be primed and ready to go against Cincinnati.
Golden calls Green a legit “4.3 guy”, so the Steelers will play deep coverage when necessary. Pittsburgh’s already matched its total of sackless games from 2015, when it finished with 48 sacks in all, a almost 50 percent jump from the 33 the Steelers collected in 2014. Questionable: LB Ryan Shazier (knee), WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder).
This summer, Williams and Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict engaged in a heated exchange on Twitter. Keeping Green out of the game is much harder in reality than on paper and will be a real test for Pittsburgh’s young defensive backs. It will be interesting to see how, or if, they react if they are pushed.
Practice what’s been preached: Since the 18-16 AFC Wild Card loss in January, the Bengals have said they have moved on, that it’s a new team, and that they have learned from the emotion-fueled mistakes that helped contribute to that loss.
The Steelers are 13-2 in home openers at Heinz Field, matching New England for the second-best record over that period.
Cincinnati has lost their past two meetings, including a regular-season loss previous year to Pittsburgh, 33-20.
Tight end Tyler Eifert’s absence is a break for the Steelers, but Green is capable of taking over, and the Steelers know it.
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Cornerback Adam Jones, who was listed as limited with a back injury Wednesday, was full go Thursday and Friday.
