The Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday for the second matchup in their AFC North rivalry.
Pittsburgh is coming off a heart-breaking loss to the Chargers in Week 11 and Cincinnati snapped its two-game losing skid with a dominating road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the first meeting between the Steelers and Bengals, Cincinnati got off to a hot start and never let up. Pittsburgh was missing a few key players in the first game who are expected to be back on Sunday, most notably outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
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With postseason aspirations on the line for both teams, the winner of Sunday's game will help themselves immensely in the overall playoff picture and the division.
Here are three keys to how the Bengals can sweep the Steelers and move to 7-4 on the year:
Control the line of scrimmage on offense
The Bengals can't let Sunday's game become a drop back game in which they are playing from behind and forced to throw the ball all day against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's defensive line is too good and if given enough opportunities to hit Joe Burrow, they're more often to make a play than not. Especially with Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt expected to play. Cincinnati's offensive line held up well in pass protection against the Raiders, they'll need a similar performance against the Steelers. The Bengals might have a tougher time running the ball against Pittsburgh as their defensive unit ranks No. 12 against the run. I would be shocked if this turns into a game where Joe Mixon has 30 carries again simply because I think the Steelers are going to force the Bengals to pass. Lucky for Cincinnati, their talent at wide receiver outweighs Pittsburgh's secondary if Burrow has time, that is.
The Steelers are going to try and run the ball... and the Bengals need to stop it
Through 10 games, it's clear who the Steelers' offense runs through and that's Najee Harris. The first-round pick has been electric in his first season and in the last meeting between the Bengals and Steelers, Pittsburgh utilized Harris as a receiver often and were successful in doing so. Defensive end Sam Hubbard said Harris' size and strength makes him hard to bring down and the Steelers will give him his opportunities. The Bengals are among the league's best against the run as they rank No. 3 in the NFL in run defense. Harris has rushed for 685 yards on 188 carries which are the third-most in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry of the Titans and Jonathan Taylor of the Colts.
Stay sharp on special teams
The Steelers have blocked a league-leading two punts this season. Just when it looked like the Chargers were going to run away with the game against the Steelers in Week 11, Pittsburgh blocked a punt then scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Mike Tomlin is notorious for always having his special teams unit ready to make game-changing plays. The Bengals can't have any glitches in the special teams game and give the Steelers more opportunities to put points on the board.
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