Well that certainly sucked, didn’t it? I’m not just talking about the results of the Cincinnati Bengals’ tilt at Chicago, though that was extremely disappointing as well. I am also referring to my picks relative to the game.
As is the nature of the NFL so goes the nature of fantasy football as well. You just don’t know from week to week. What looks obvious one week, is a swing and a miss the next. Swing and miss this week, crush it the next.
Perhaps that is why junkies like us keep playing. Nothing feels better than being right, making the right moves, and crushing your opponent.
Conversely, few things during the season make you feel as lost and confused as thinking you made all the right moves, did your research, and still, you come up miles short. Maddening really, but what can you do? I’ll tell you what you can do. Man, or woman up!
Do your research, try to identify the mistakes you made, and press on to Week 3! As Bill Belichick once said, “On to Cincinnati”. Except, in this case, it’s on to Pittsburgh! Let’s GO!!!
Start ‘Em – Joe Burrow
Yep, I’m doing it again. I just can’t look at the potential of this offense without dreaming of what could be, or rather, what SHOULD be.
It’s time, Zac Taylor. Time to unleash the beast. Against the Bears on Sunday, it was no doubt rough. The offensive play calling was uneven and unimaginative, to say the least, and Burrow made some uncharacteristic mistakes.
The offense didn’t open up until the Bengals were essentially buried. That negative game script allowed the Bears to bring more pressure, which definitely contributed to Burrow’s struggles.
So, what’s a good way to keep the defense honest and NOT allow it to blitz every play? Throw the damn ball and score some points!
This offense has the potential to be top 10. Taylor needs to let the horses run and it starts with Joe Burrow. Take the brakes off and let’s go!
This Steeler team is beat up, as T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, and Joe Haden are all going to be hobbled by groin injuries, provided they even play. Bad week to be a groin in the Steel City. Take advantage!
The defense is playing well enough to win, now let’s give them a break this week by laying 38 on the Steelers. The AFC North narrative can change this week in Pittsburgh, but it will take a better game plan to get it done. I think that happens this week.
Start Burrow.
Prediction: 28-of-41, 335 yards, 3 TD
Start ‘Em – Bengals D/ST
Wow, talk about putting myself out there. Am I actually going to suggest starting a Bengal defense against the Steelers in Pittsburgh? Have I hit my head too many times? Maybe, because I AM prone to hitting my head, but in this instance darn straight, I’m recommending the Bengal defense.
As bad as the Bengals line has been, the Steelers have been arguably worse. Ben Roethlisberger took 10 hits Sunday against the Raiders. Any idea what 10 hits do to a man his age? It isn’t pretty.
Meanwhile, the Bengal defense has logged almost 1/3 as many sacks as they did all last year. It’s Week 3 folks, this defense can get after the quarterback. Much of the damage the Bengal rush has done has been from a strong interior push, which could be a problem against a very mobile quarterback.
Have I mentioned yet that Ben is 39? He’s as mobile as I am at this point of his career. However, there are rumblings that Roethlisberger may not be healthy this week, which just makes the Bengal defense even more attractive, considering Pittsburgh’s backups are Mason Rudolph, and famed first-round bust of the WFT, Dwayne Haskins. Neither has distinguished themselves as anything more than barely serviceable as backups if even that.
Let’s see the Bengal offense put up some quick points and force the Steelers to pass the ball, and fire up the Bengal defense in the most unexpected of places, Heinz Field.
Prediction: 3 sacks, 2 interceptions
Start ‘Em – Pat Freiermuth
Well, I guess I have to choose one Steeler, right? While the so-called experts, media pundits, and talking heads will likely be throwing out guys like Chase Claypool, Vonn Bell’s best friend JuJu Smith Schuster, and everyone’s favorite rookie Najee Harris, I am offering someone a little less obvious, and at a position that is imminently steamable to boot!
As I’ve noted before, if you don’t roster one of the big three tight ends, then you are best to stream and hope for a touchdown. This could be the perfect spot.
The Bengals, despite being better last year, and this year thus far, have historically struggled against athletic receiving tight ends. Pat Freiermuth is exactly that.
The rookie from Penn State chipped in four catches for 36 yards against the Raiders in an ugly performance by the Steeler offense. With the line struggling to protect, and an injury that could potentially cause Dionte Johnson to miss this week, as well as fellow tight end Eric Ebron being missing in action, the prospect of Freiermuth being peppered with targets is good.
Good enough in fact that a short to medium touchdown is likely.
Prediction: 4 rec, 48 yards, 1 TD
Sit ‘Em – Najee Harris
Considered by most to be the consensus best back in the 2021 draft, and perhaps the top rookie offensively in the league, Najee Harris has gotten off to a rocky start. Many assumed Harris would hit the ground running, pun intended, and start racking up the yards and touchdowns from Week 1.
However the same people also conveniently forgot that the Steelers did exactly nothing to shore up a terrible offensive line. Turns out touted rookie or fifth-round pick, it’s hard to run behind a bad offensive line.
Through two games Harris has logged 26 carries for a paltry 83 yards and no touchdowns. Harris has been a nonfactor through the air as well with only six receptions on the year. In prior years, and perhaps rightfully so, this would be considered a smash spot for Harris, and a get-well game for the Steeler offense as a whole.
Thankfully for the Bengal defense, this year is looking a little brighter thus far than the past couple. While the D has shown some weakness against the pass, against the run it has been considerably better, effectively bottling up Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery respectively.
If the Bengals can break to an early lead they can test the Steelers’ run game and willingness to check down to the running backs through the air. Another subpar week for the rookie could be in the offing.
Prediction: 16 Carries, 77 yards, 0 TD
Sit ‘Em – Pittsburgh Quarterbacks
I list the quarterback situation as a whole in Pittsburgh as a “sit” this week. Big Ben Roethlisberger has been recently added to the injury report, and the backups are Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Woof.
However even if Big Ben were the picture of health I wouldn’t recommend him here. The Bengals should be able to provide consistent heat on the Steelers long-time quarterback and force him to throw short or check down.
With the possible loss of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers will be even more handcuffed for pass catchers. Chase Claypool could be thrust into a much larger role this week, but until Mike Tomlin and the Steeler staff show the willingness to feature Claypool as a WR 1, optimism has to be reserved.
While Roethlisberger seems to be beyond the point in his career where he can consistently drive the ball down the field with any authority, the same can’t be said for the strong-armed Haskins. If he has to suit up and start, that could be a very good thing for the Bengal defense, as Haskins has shown his lack of mobility is only exceeded by his scattershot arm and lack of any sort of good decision making.
Let’s be clear, the Steelers quarterback situation isn’t good. Run away from any of these guys.
Sit ‘Em – Tee Higgins
Okay, so while I don’t really want to list any Bengal as a sit, if I had to choose one it would be Tee Higgins. Higgins has had a strong start to the season, with his only real misstep being a very poorly timed fumble against the Bears.
I expect a positive game script against the Steelers and lots of passing, but my sense is Higgins could be the odd man out this week. Zac Taylor SHOULD be looking to increase targets to Joe Mixon and shorter stuff closer to the line of scrimmage to keep the rush off Joe Burrow.
If that’s the case Tyler Boyd — who always plays well against Pittsburgh — should be in line for a big game, and no way the Steeler secondary minus Joe Haden should be able to contain Ja’Marr Chase. Of course, all of this is predicated on Taylor and his ability or willingness to call a creative, aggressive game plan.
If he can’t figure that out then the offense could well be screwed and Pittsburgh could get their “get well” game. Let’s hope for the sake of my predictions and all our sanity he can
Prediction: 4 Rec, 64 yards, 0 TD
There you have it. If you had a rough Week 2 like I did, let’s buckle our metaphorical chin straps and get back in the game. It really couldn’t get worse, could it? Could it? Let’s hope not.