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

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with T.J. Watt #90 and Stephon Tuitt #91 after sacking Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals (not pictured) in the third quarter on September 30, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Bengals held below 70 rushing yards

Last season, Joe Mixon joined an impressive group of young running backs involved in the new generation that’s sweeping through backfields around the league. The former second-round pick averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 83.4 rushing yards per game. As a team, the Bengals ran for 105.1 yards per game.

Things have gone horribly wrong for Cincinnati’s ground game and Mixon in 2019. After posting borderline Pro Bowl numbers last season, Mixon is averaging 3.6 yards per carry and 52.0 rushing yards per game. The Bengals are rushing for just 80.6 yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL.

Poor offensive line play and an ineffective passing game that has only gotten worse with Ryan Finley at the helm have sapped Cincinnati’s rushing attack. Now, the underperforming Cincinnati offense will collide with one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Pittsburgh’s defense is allowing 105.2 rushing yards per game this season. That is tied for 15th in the NFL, which isn’t very impressive. However, the Steelers are only giving up 3.7 yards per carry, which is the fifth-lowest average allowed by a defense this season. This ability was on full display in Week 11 when Pittsburgh held Nick Chubb to 3.41 yards per carry despite racking up 92 rushing yards.

Considering Cincinnati’s limited weapons in the passing game, the Steelers can focus on locking down the running game in Week 12.

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