National Football Post Tavern Talk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY TAVERN TALK

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS…

1.     The messy field in Pittsburgh takes away the number one advantage the Steelers have with their defense:  quickness. 

 

2.     Whenever I watch the Bengals play, I am reminded of how many games they have lost because of their lack of a demanding, physical, offseason program.  They struggle when they face physical teams. 

 

3.     People talk about how they select players and how they won’t spend money, but in the age of innovation as it relates to players becoming bigger, faster and stronger, the Bengals are still in the 1960’s. 

 

4.     The key to beating the Steelers is to make big plays down the field, since it is very hard to drive the ball on them and win.  They live for third down, and the more third downs you have, the more chances you have to make a mistake.

 

5.     The Bengals have to be able to pass protect and handle the overloaded pressures.  I’m not sure they can do this very well. 

 

6.     The Steelers had seven sacks the last game–ON THE ROAD.  The Bengals need to hope for wind, rain and a very soggy field. 

 

7.     The Giants only had 282 total yards against the Steelers two weeks ago.  I’m not sure the Bengals can match that offensive output.  The Bengals only had 212 yards the last time they played. 

 

8.     Cincinnati must locate and account for #43, Troy Polamula on every snap.  And when he is the high safety, they have to be able to attack him down the field. 

 

9.     Ryan Clark is one of the unsung players of the Steelers defense.  He makes all sorts of plays and shows incredible range.  And for a little man, he packs a punch. 

 

10.  Cedric Benson has no burst and no power when he hits the hole.  That’s a bad combination when you play Pittsburgh. 

 

11.  Mike Zimmer, the DC of the Bengals, has done a good job of keeping his team in the game.  He has a good scheme and knows how to pressure the passer. 

 

12.  The Bengals must find a way to play better in the red zone and keep the game close.  Last time, they were 4-5 in allowing touchdowns and that is what separated the game. 

 

13.  Cincinnati’s corners can cover the Steelers’ wide receivers, but when they are always in the bunch, it helps the Steelers gain free access. 

 

14.  Mistakes are the only thing that can beat the Steelers.  They have to be careful with the ball and when the play is not there, they have to punt.  Making the Bengals play on the long field is a good thing. 

 

15.  The Bengals have the wide outs to handle the depleted corners of the Steelers, but having time to make the throws and having the ability to get down the field is another matter.  THEY HAVE TO MAKE PLAYS UP THE FIELD.  2.8 yards per pass attempt won’t beat the Steelers. 

 

16.  The Bengals have to keep the score of the game under 20 points, or else they have no chance to win.  The Bengals cannot score points with their offense right now.