Steelers-Bungles: 3 Keys to Victory

By: Joe Smeltzer
Hello, all. Once again, the Steelers are playing at night. Unlike the past two weeks, Pittsburgh is away from Heinz Field, although given the success that they've had in Paul Brown Stadium recently, it kind of feels like a home game. Let's get into what the Steelers need to do to beat the Bungles and win their seventh straight game.
Key #1: Next man up (JuJu, not Martavis) 

Photo crews to WTAE Pittsburgh

Antonio Brown may or may not play tonight. Regardless of whether or not he is on the field, AB isn't at 100 percent, and because of that, other receivers need to step up.
The Steelers will have Juju Smith Schuster back, and while that wouldn't fully make up for Brown's absence/ineffectiveness, it would provide another chance for the rookie to shine under the lights. The Steelers passing game still needs to show that it can be productive without Antiono Brown as the focus, and JuJu could continue to prove himself as the number two receiver ahead of Martavis Bryant with a clutch performance tonight.




Key #2: Force a turnover or three

Photo creds to SI.Com

The first time these two teams met this year, defense propelled the Steelers to a win at Heinz Field, picking off Andy Dalton twice in the second half. While the Steelers won't have Joe Haden to intercept any passes, Dalton has been known throughout his career as a turnover waiting to happen. Dalton hasn't thrown a single pick since that last meeting, so don't you think he's overdue for one? Coty Sensabaugh and Artie Burns sure hope so, and so do I. If the Steelers can fluster Dalton and force takeaways to get the ball back to Ben and the offense, their chances of getting their 10th win tonight will be greatly enhanced.


Key #3: No big plays

If Burns gets burned, that won't be optimal (Photo creds to Behind the Steel Curtain)

Brett Hundley. Marcus Mariota. Jacoby Brissett. All three of these quarterbacks have burned Pittsburgh's Haden-less secondary with long touchdown passes in the past month. As much as Andy Dalton has been a punchline, he has more ability than arguably any of the three guys I've mentioned, and his favorite target, A.J. Green, is pretty good at football. The thought of Green going up against Artie Burns probably makes Steelers fans shudder. Yeah, that could get ugly quick. I'll go as far to say that if the Steelers shut down Green specifically, they win the game. If not, look out.

Final Prediction
I like this Bengals team. They have drafted well in the past two years, and guys like Joe Mixon, William Jackson and Carl Lawson could become stars. But we're not talking about the future. We're talking about the present. Right now, the Steelers are rolling, and oh yeah, they own the Bungles. Here we go!