Cincinnati Bengals: 3 bold predictions for Week 12 versus Steelers

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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 14: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns knocks down Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh 21-7. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Mason Rudolph is in decline. The Steelers quarterback seems to be playing worse and worse with each game he suits up. Normally, suspect quarterback play isn’t something that moves the needle against the Bengals defense, as they have been a sieve all season long.

But, they looked pretty good against a Raiders team who is ascending. While Oakland’s offense put up some pretty good numbers, they managed to do just enough to give the offense a shot late in the fourth quarter. If the Bengals would have had a pulse of offense, you could be sizing up the chances of two straight wins.

Rudolph has five interceptions entering Week 12. While they managed to find enough to beat the Rams, the lack of Smith-Schuster and Conner will prove significant. If points are hard to come by for the Steelers offense, it will be a good sign for Cincinnati.

In two weeks, the Bengals have scored 13 points against the Ravens and 10 last week in Oakland. Conversely, Pittsburgh has netted just 17 against Los Angeles and seven against Cleveland.

Given the injuries on the offensive side of the football for the Steelers, Week 12 looks to be the best opportunity for the Bengals to maintain some positive momentum on defense and perhaps find some on offense.