Who Dey Notes: Bengals, Dalton Have A Point To Prove

The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will give a rendition of Ali and Frazier. The Rumble at Heinz Field will be the game of the day.

Heinz Field will be host to one of the most anticipated games of the season. The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will clash in an early Week 2 rematch. Though Marvin Lewis and Mike Tomlin have been tight-lipped about the battle, fans and players know the outcome means everything. In other words, what isn’t being said is obvious. The Bengals have a lot to prove.

Eight long months have passed, since that rainy Saturday night at Paul Brown Stadium. What looked to be the Bengals first playoff win was snatched away by a combination of carelessness and wasted fate.

That night, the Bengals should have walked away with their ticket punched for Mile High Stadium. Instead, Bengals fans and analysts have been talking about the “what ifs” of that hard-fought playoff matchup.

At 1 pm Sunday, the Bengals have a chance to right the wrongs of January 9. Cincinnati fans could be witness to something that the nation isn’t prepared for. With a sound game plan and cooler heads, the Bengals will be able to capture the W they let slip away nearly a year ago.

When the series between the Bengals and Steelers resumes today, all minds will be on revenge. Cincinnati fans will be thinking of the game that was stolen. Steelers faithful will be hungry to continue the “little brother” phase of the relationship.

Road Warriors

The game will once again be a heavyweight fight, with the victor claiming bragging rights for the AFC North. One huge factor in the Bengals favor? Road toughness under Andy Dalton. After pulling out a thrilling come-from-ahead victory at MetLife Stadium, Cincinnati extended their road skills. 

Lewis talked about the Bengals’ ability to get the job done, during his weekly press conference.

"“Any time you go on the road, it’s tough to win. Everything is stacked up against you, especially in Pittsburgh. It’s a division game, their crowd gets into it. You’ve got to be poised and you’ve got to play throughout the whole game. One play doesn’t determine the game. So you’ve just got to stick to the game plan, stick to what you’re doing and keep grinding it out. It’s always tough to get a win there, especially when you’re playing against a good team.”"

The rowdiness and insane atmosphere of Heinz Field will definitely be a distraction for the Orange and Black. But, Week 7 of 2015 proved to be a charm for the Bengals. After trailing late, Cincinnati was able to leave the Steel City with a 16-10 victory.

Who Dey Power Play

Things will be different, this time. The Bengals will be without Reggie Nelson (aka The Stilluh Killuh). Vontaze Burfict will also be missing from the lineup. 

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Dalton is a beast on the road. If he’s able to get adequate protection from the O-line, he’ll have a huge day. Look for quick hits and bubble screens to get the offense going.

Coordinator Ken Zampese will need to be creative, but go with what works. The ground game must get untracked. Hill running with focus will give the Steelers fits. Hill has returned to his rookie running style of squaring his shoulders and hitting the holes given.

This will be a welcome party for the rookies. The newbies will have to step it up under a primetime atmosphere.

This will be the game the D, Dalton, and Zampese comes of age. It’s all about proving a point.