Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did something he hadn’t done in his career as a starting quarterback in the NFL in Week 3 – lead the Bengals to a road win over the Steelers. On Sunday, Burrow has a chance to do something Cincinnati hasn’t done since 2009 – sweep Pittsburgh.
This game has high stakes for the division standings and playoff race. The Bengals at 6-4 rank No. 2 in the AFC North and are the No. 5 seed in the AFC currently. The Steelers 5-4-1 would be on the outside looking in if the playoffs started today but are very much in the mix for the final Wild Card spot.
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It will take a strong performance for Burrow and the Bengals to accomplish that feat. For Burrow in particular, this game will be much different, and he knows it. In the Week 3 win over the Steelers, All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt was not on the field as he was dealing with a groin injury. Watt is expected to play this time around and the Bengals are taking note.
“They didn’t have TJ Watt, that’ll definitely, you’ve always got to be aware of him,” Burrow said. “It’ll be a different game.”
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In the first meeting between Watt and Burrow, it was Watt who got the better end of the matchup. The Steelers beat the Bengals 36-10 in Week 10 and Watt had two sacks on Burrow and hit him four times.
And while the Bengals and Burrow are playing better this season, Watt is the type of player who’s capable of taking over a game. Watt ranks No. 2 in the NFL in sacks with 12.5 and has forced three fumbles.
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If the Bengals can run the ball like they did against the Raiders last week, they could neutralize Watt’s impact and put less on Burrow’s shoulders. One of Burrow’s best qualities as a football player is his ability to adapt as a quarterback to what’s going on in the game. If the game is shaping out to be a run-first game for the Bengals, Burrow is all for sticking to what is working. If it means he needs to throw for over 300 yards and lead his team to a win, he’s also proved he’s capable of that. Look no further than his performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 to see that when he led the Bengals’ second-half comeback.
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This is all part of the quarterback maturation process.
“Knowing the kind of game that it is, when you’re running the ball the way that we are and the defense is playing the way they are, you don’t take those chances down the field when maybe you would’ve when you’re down 10 points, the defense isn’t playing as well or you’re not running the ball,” Burrow said. “As a quarterback, you have to adapt to the game it is every week and the kind it was on Sunday, we had to take completions, move the chains and score points whether it’s field goals or touchdowns. That’s what I did on Sunday, it turned out well for us.”
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When the Bengals run the ball effectively, they present so many challenges for a defense. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and C.J. Uzomah at his disposal, an opposing defensive coordinator has to make a hard decision on what his unit is going to sell out to stop.
Based off what Mixon and the Bengals’ offense put on tape against the Raiders, it’s likely Pittsburgh will try and stop the run game at all costs. This could mean Cincinnati’s wide receivers benefit in a big way and the Bengals have yet to have a game where all three of their star wide receivers completely dominate.
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Sunday’s game has the makings to be a defining game for Burrow regardless of if it ends up being a run-first or pass-first game. He’ll be ready for any situation that unfolds at Paul Brown Stadium because he’s known who his team can be all year.
“I knew we would be a different team,” Burrow said. “I knew we would want to establish the run more and we’re getting pretty good at it. It kind of just depends on the game. Certain games if things aren’t going well, we’ll get into empty and sling it around and other games we’ll get into 13 personnel and run the ball. Just kind of depends on the game."
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