The 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals during a pivotal Sunday Night Football contest in Week 10.
According to Steelers Wire, the defensive unit must execute specific strategies to secure another win.
A primary objective for the Pittsburgh defense is applying consistent pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
While the Steelers managed only one sack against Burrow during their Week 3 meeting, the team now relies on stars like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward to improve that performance.
Data from USA Today Sports indicates that the Bengals have been effective at protecting their quarterback, allowing only 1.9 sacks per game.
Beyond the pass rush, the Steelers must also contain wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The duo has combined for 693 yards and eight touchdowns over their last three games, presenting a significant challenge for the Pittsburgh secondary.
However, the Steelers hold a potential advantage in their explosive-play rate, as they have allowed such plays on only 10.4% of defensive snaps.
This efficiency ranks among the top units in the league, per information shared by Steelers Wire.
A final defensive priority involves forcing Cincinnati to rely on a struggling running game.
The Bengals currently average just 85.6 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry, making them one of the least productive teams on the ground.
As noted by USA Today Sports, Cincinnati is the only team in the NFL that has failed to record a single run of 20 or more yards this season.
By effectively closing passing windows and neutralizing the run, the Steelers hope to gain the upper hand.
The outcome of this matchup will be critical for both teams as they compete for positioning in the standings.
Fans can follow further updates on the team’s status via social media channels linked by the outlets reported.