We’ve waited months for the 2022 season and it is here! Everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals in week one is right here!
What: Pittsburgh Steelers 0-0 at Cincinnati Bengals 0-0
Where: Paycor Stadium Cincinnati, OH
When: 1pm ET September 11th, 2022
Weather: 77 degrees with a 90% chance of precipitation.
Wagering Information: Steelers +6.5 O/U 44
Last Week: It’s week One
TV: CBS Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Robinson (analysis), Evan Washburn (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: Most of the nation will get the game this week. Here’s the coverage map for more information courtesy the506.com.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis), Missi Matthews (sideline),
Max Starks (sideline)
Westwood One Radio: N/A
Head Official: Shawn Hochuli. Entering his 5th season as a head official. Last season he officiated the Steelers’ loss at Cleveland and the Steelers’ win at Baltimore.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: None CIN: TE Devin Asiasi OUT-thigh, TE Mitchell Wilcox Questionable-thigh, WR Trent Taylor Questionable-hamstring
Injury Notes: After some drama during the week, both Diontae Johnson (shoulder) and Chuks Okroafor (back) are on track to play on Sunday.
FINAL 2021 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 23rd CIN 7th Passing Offense: PIT 15th CIN 7th Rushing Offense: PIT 29th CIN 23rd
Total Defense: PIT 24th CIN 17th Passing Defense: PIT 9th CIN 26th Rushing Defense: PIT 32nd CIN 5th
AFC North Rankings: Baltimore 0-0, Cincinnati 0-0, Cleveland 0-0, Pittsburgh 0-0
This Week in the AFC North: Cleveland at Carolina 1pm, Baltimore at NY Jets 1pm
What You Need to Know: The Bengals swept the season series with the Steelers in 2021 for the first time in 11 years… Mike Tomlin is 22-8 all-time against the Bengals… Pat Freiermuth’s 60 receptions were an all-time high for a rookie tight end in team history… The Steelers are 15-20-2 when opening the season on the road… Najee Harris went 381 touches without a fumble last season. That’s the most since at least 2000.
Cincinnati Bengals Names to Know: QB Joe Burrow, RB Joe Mixon, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, LB Logan Wilson,
What’s at Stake: Both teams look to start 2022 on the right foot with a victory. Making it even more important is the fact that it’s a division game right out of the gate.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 67-38 and lead 32-21 in Cincinnati
Postseason History: Steelers lead 2-0
Steelers Game Highs vs CIN: Passing Ben Roethlisberger 386 yards, Rushing Le’Veon Bell 186 yards, Receiving Lynn Swann 192 yards, Sacks Chad Brown 4.5, Interceptions Mike Wagner 3
Last Meeting: November 2021 Bengals 41 Steelers 10
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Chasing Him Down. The Bengals have a very talented offense. Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, etc… But if the Steelers can’t limit Ja’Marr Chase then it’s going to be a very long day on Sunday. Pittsburgh does not possess a defensive back that can match-up one on one with Chase, but they do have ways keeping the lid on him. For starters, Minkah Fitzpatrick cannot be relied upon to stop the run as he was so often in 2021. The more he’s allowed to play deep the better he can help limit the deep ball to chase. Pressure up front must be consistent on Joe Burrow. That doesn’t necessarily mean sacks, but if Burrow has time to drop, set up and throw deep then that’s a recipe for disaster for the Steelers.
2. Be Deliberate Offensively. The best defense against a high-powered offense is to keep that offense over on the bench next to the Gatorade coolers. Matt Canada does not need big plays. He needs to put Mitchell Trubisky in good situations where he can use his arm or legs to move the sticks. This is made all the more easy if the running game starts churning out yards but based on the offensive line we’ve seen so far, we shouldn’t expect that. Therefore, the short passing game combined with mis-direction is just fine. The longer the Steelers possess the ball the better.
3. Win on Special Teams. In recent years, Danny Smith’s group has always made a play or two in season opening games. The need for such a play is even more needed in this case. A big play STs can take the crowd out of the game and can completely flip momentum. With Joe Burrow and company putting pressure on the Steelers’ D, a score by the STs unit would go a long ways toward staying in the game. Don’t be surprised if it comes in the way of a blocked punt.
Prediction: Sadly it’s starting to feel a lot like the 1980’s where the dominance of the Steelers gave way to the Bengals completely flipping that script. After two dominate wins last season, the Bengals enter this one favored to win the division. They’ve significantly improved their biggest weakness which is the offensive line. I expect the Steelers’ defense to be better than it was in both of those games last year. Unfortunately, I have little faith in the Steelers’ offensive line to control the line of scrimmage. That means playing from long on second and third down which is exactly what the Steelers cannot do.
Bengals 34 Steelers 16
