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ATL96Steeler
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Wk 12…@ CIN
The Steelers regroup after the ugly loss last Monday Night in CLE. The short week narrative played out almost to the tee for the road team. OFC looked terrible and even the DEF was slightly off their recent standard of play. The loss dropped PIT to 5-5 and now in the 8th position behind OAK, and HOU who both sit a game better at 6-4.
Everyone knows about the fight now so we’re not dwelling on that here, but there is some residual fallout. Pouncey was handed down a 3 game suspension for his part in the fracas. Granted he was simply coming to the support of his QB, but kicking and punching is a no-no. Apparently Pouncey is appealing, but it’s not likely he will be playing this week regardless.
Week 12 brings on the second of 3 straight AFCN opponents. This week they travel to CIN for the rematch. What’s happened since the week 4 game which saw both teams come into that game without a win? Well, PIT has rebounded a little as you know and have won 5 games including that week 4 matchup. The Bengals on the other hand are still winless for the year. Now 0-10, the Bengals have seemingly started to look towards the ’20 season. First year head coach Zac Taylor benched perennial starter Andy Dalton to get a look at 4th rd draft pick Ryan Finley, and the early going has not been good for the young QB. Completing 47% of his passes with one TD and two INTs in two games played.
Injuries
Steelers have suffered some heavy losses this week. Juju (knee + concussion) D Johnson (concussion) were both knocked with helmet to helmet shots in the Browns game. Both are still in the protocol…my guess is they will not play this week. Smith-Schuster is officially listed as doubtful and Johnson is questionable. Connor (shoulder) reinjured in the CLE game is questionable. Artie Burns (knee) questionable is on the list this week . To manage the loss of Pouncey, I was anticipating a roster move, bringing Patrick Morris up from the PS. As of today that hasn’t happened. If no roster move is made effecting the OL, we can expect Finney to start at C. I’m not sure who the backup C would be if Morris is not brought up. There has been some talk that Snell (knee) will be ready to go this week, if not Samuels and Edmunds will likely carry the load at RB.
Outcome
The Steelers lack of available WRs with experience is concerning. It is a DIV game meaning the schemes and personnel will be familiar for both teams. Based on the Bengal’s DEF performance last week, they’re not laying down for the number #1 overall draft pick. Mason Rudolph is probably like a golfer after terrible round, he has to be itching to get back out there to get the stink of his last performance. The line is PIT +6.5. Bottomline here…there is nothing on paper that suggests the Bengals will win this game behind Finley. If Rudolph finds his game, the Steelers will win and cover the spread. If he doesn’t, I can see PIT winning by a FG.
I’m going with 24-17 Steelers.
What say you?
The Steelers regroup after the ugly loss last Monday Night in CLE. The short week narrative played out almost to the tee for the road team. OFC looked terrible and even the DEF was slightly off their recent standard of play. The loss dropped PIT to 5-5 and now in the 8th position behind OAK, and HOU who both sit a game better at 6-4.
Everyone knows about the fight now so we’re not dwelling on that here, but there is some residual fallout. Pouncey was handed down a 3 game suspension for his part in the fracas. Granted he was simply coming to the support of his QB, but kicking and punching is a no-no. Apparently Pouncey is appealing, but it’s not likely he will be playing this week regardless.
Week 12 brings on the second of 3 straight AFCN opponents. This week they travel to CIN for the rematch. What’s happened since the week 4 game which saw both teams come into that game without a win? Well, PIT has rebounded a little as you know and have won 5 games including that week 4 matchup. The Bengals on the other hand are still winless for the year. Now 0-10, the Bengals have seemingly started to look towards the ’20 season. First year head coach Zac Taylor benched perennial starter Andy Dalton to get a look at 4th rd draft pick Ryan Finley, and the early going has not been good for the young QB. Completing 47% of his passes with one TD and two INTs in two games played.
Injuries
Steelers have suffered some heavy losses this week. Juju (knee + concussion) D Johnson (concussion) were both knocked with helmet to helmet shots in the Browns game. Both are still in the protocol…my guess is they will not play this week. Smith-Schuster is officially listed as doubtful and Johnson is questionable. Connor (shoulder) reinjured in the CLE game is questionable. Artie Burns (knee) questionable is on the list this week . To manage the loss of Pouncey, I was anticipating a roster move, bringing Patrick Morris up from the PS. As of today that hasn’t happened. If no roster move is made effecting the OL, we can expect Finney to start at C. I’m not sure who the backup C would be if Morris is not brought up. There has been some talk that Snell (knee) will be ready to go this week, if not Samuels and Edmunds will likely carry the load at RB.
Outcome
The Steelers lack of available WRs with experience is concerning. It is a DIV game meaning the schemes and personnel will be familiar for both teams. Based on the Bengal’s DEF performance last week, they’re not laying down for the number #1 overall draft pick. Mason Rudolph is probably like a golfer after terrible round, he has to be itching to get back out there to get the stink of his last performance. The line is PIT +6.5. Bottomline here…there is nothing on paper that suggests the Bengals will win this game behind Finley. If Rudolph finds his game, the Steelers will win and cover the spread. If he doesn’t, I can see PIT winning by a FG.
I’m going with 24-17 Steelers.
What say you?
...of course they will be a 1st round out if they do make it...I'm not that delusional....lol
