Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Bengals, Week 12

After a disheartening loss in Week 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers can keep their playoff hopes alive with a win in Week 12.

While the Myles Garrett situation inevitably led the storylines from Week 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers have other demons they need to exorcise. The team’s loss against the Cleveland Browns damaged Pittsburgh’s playoff chances and the image their defense cultivated through the first ten weeks of the season.

While the Steelers entered Week 11 with the sixth seed in the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders leapfrogged Pittsburgh in the standings. Both teams are now at 6-4. The Tennessee Titans still have a 5-5 record, matching Pittsburgh.

While the road to the postseason has grown tougher, it’s only getting shorter. While the Steelers are expected to beat the Bengals, they could at least do it convincingly. This team and its fan base need hope. The Steelers can provide that with a dominant win on Sunday.

3. Steelers rush for 130 yards

The Bengals are giving up an astonishing 167.0 rushing yards per game. While the Steelers have their own offensive rushing problems, the offense is still talented enough to take advantage of Cincinnati’s defensive deficiencies.

Pittsburgh has a bottom ten ground game this season, only rushing for 80.7 yards per game. James Conner‘s erratic health has heightened the poor play. The Pro Bowl running back hasn’t been very effective even when healthy, but he’s still the team’s best back. It is unclear if Conner will be available in Week 12. He left Pittsburgh’s Week 11 game and was ruled out early in the contest.

In the battle of mediocre units, the Steelers have an opportunity. The team can finally get some momentum rolling with the running game, even if Conner doesn’t play. With Mason Rudolph coming off of the worst game of his career, expect a healthy dose of Trey Edmunds and Jaylen Samuels.