Week 6 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

NFL Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 6 of the NFL seasons sees the Pittsburgh Steelers traveling to Cincinnati to play the Cincinnati Bengals. This matchup routinely results in one of the more brutal games that happen each season.

In the last edition of this rivalry, these two teams combined for 20 penalties as well as a career-threatening injury to inside linebacker Ryan Shazier. In this TSJ preview, we take a look at how this physical matchup should play out.

Injury Report

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh opens this week mostly healthy only having three players missing Thursday’s practice with an injury. The most notable name removed from the injury report is starting inside linebacker Vince Williams. Williams missed last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury but appears to be good to go for Sunday.

One player who has yet to touch the field this season is safety Morgan Burnett, who missed yet another week of practice with a groin injury. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and backup inside linebacker L.J. Fort also missed Thursday’s practice with ankle injuries, putting them in doubt for Sunday’s matchup as well. Starting Guard Ramon Foster also missed Thursday’s practice, but he was noted as a coach’s decision, usually a rest day for an older veteran player.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati had a few key players who were limited or out of Thursday’s practice as well. Starting cornerback William Jackson, who was phenomenal against Antonio Brown last season, was limited Thursday with a knee injury. Last year’s first round pick John Ross was also limited Thursday with a groin injury, losing his speed Sunday would be a big loss against Pittsburgh.

With Tyler Eifert out for the season, Cincinnati will possibly be without backup tight end Tyler Kroft as he missed practice with a foot injury. Another notable player who was out of Thursday’s practice is running back Giovani Bernard with a knee injury.

Key Matchups

Antonio Brown vs. William Jackson

Last week Antonio Brown got back on track with his best performance of the season. Brown finished the game with six receptions 101 yards and two touchdowns. Look for William Jackson to give Brown all he can handle as the two had some epic matchups last season.

Fantasy Implications

Although both offenses have been on fire as of late, these rivalry games usually end as a low scoring affair. I do expect running backs James Conner and Joe Mixon to be the big winners of this game as both run defenses have been below average at best.

Both star wide receivers Antonio Brown and A.J. Green are in for tough matchups this week, but if I had to pick one to show out, Brown would be my guy. I would also avoid both quarterbacks as these games are won in the trenches which lead to very lackluster performances from the signal callers.

Prediction

With Pittsburgh playing in Cincinnati for the first time since Ryan Shazier’s devastating injury, look for the Steelers to come out with a chip on their shoulders. I think this game will be another physical battle, dominated by hard-hitting defense and a strong running game.

This game will be close all the way through, but Pittsburgh will do just enough to edge out another victory against the Bengals. The Steelers will win 24-17 with another strong performance from James Conner.

Date: Sunday, October 14th, 2018

Time: 1:00 pm Eastern

Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Team Records:

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-2-1

Cincinnati Bengals: 4-1-0

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of Brook Ward

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