Scouting the Bengals: Steelers opponent carries 4-game win streak into regular-season finale

Chris Adamski TribLive Fri, Jan 3, 2025 • 06:01 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackles Keeanu Benton (left, No. 95) and Cameron Heyward (right) pressure Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during a game between the teams last month at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals have not lost since.

SCOUTING THE BENGALS

Last meeting

The Steelers beat the Bengals, 44-38, on Dec. 1 in Cincinnati.

Key matchup

Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. Steelers secondary

After a week in which there was much consternation about missed assignments and lack of communication among the Steelers defense during their three-game losing streak, the task of covering receivers gets no easier. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (4,641) and touchdowns (42) and is third in passer rating (109.8) and second in QBR (76.7). Over his past three games against the Steelers, Burrow has averaged 3.0 touchdown passes and 334 passing yards.

Key injuries

Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson is listed as questionable because of a back injury. The other outside starting cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. (knee), and depth receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) were cleared to return after missing last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cincinnati defensive lineman Sam Hubbard will miss a third consecutive game because of a knee injury. Running back Chase Brown (ankle), receiver Tee Higgins (ankle/knee), right tackle Amariuis Mims (ankle/hand) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) are listed as questionable.

Series record

Steelers lead 71-39.

Series notes

This is the first time since 2018 the Steelers will close out a season against the Bengals. … Since 2010, the NFL has scheduled a division rival for every regular-season finale, but Cincinnati has been the Steelers’ opponent for their final game only three times in that span. By contrast, Steelers-Browns has been a regular-season finale nine times since 2010. … This is the fifth time overall the Steelers have played the Bengals in their regular-season finale. All but one have been in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have won all four so far. … Since Zac Taylor took over as Bengals coach in 2019, the Steelers have won seven of 11 meetings. … The Bengals are 8-15 all-time at what is now called Acrisure Stadium. … The Steelers have won 15 of the past 19 overall in the series (including playoffs) dating to December 2015.

Notable

The Bengals have won four in a row since a loss to the Steelers dropped them to 4-8, winning the games by an average margin of 10.3 points. However, the game against the only team with a winning record in that stretch — the Denver Broncos — required overtime. … That is the only team Cincinnati has beaten all season that will finish the season with a winning record. … The Bengals are 1-7 this season against opponents that currently have non-losing records; the Steelers are 6-3 against such teams. … Burrow in 2024 has become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to have 10 games with 250 or more passing yards and three or more passing touchdowns. The prior three to do so each won 12 or more games and won the NFL MVP award in said season. … A defeat would give the Steelers their first four-game losing streak since early in the 2022 season. … The Bengals are aiming for their first five-game winning streak since closing 2022 with eight consecutive wins.

Fantasy tip

Former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki tied career highs for targets (12) and receptions (10) during last week’s Cincinnati win against the Broncos. The Steelers have allowed four touchdowns to four tight ends over their past four games.