Bengals: 3 keys to victory vs. Steelers in Week 3

Offense needs to get going early

In the first two games this season, the Bengals have failed to score in the first quarter. The offense got going sooner vs. the Vikings than they did against the Bears, scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter. Last Sunday the Bengals didn’t score until the third quarter, which was only a field goal.

Joe Mixon has also started slowly in both games as well. If Mixon cannot get going, the Bengals cannot establish the run and it is harder for the passing game to open up. Mixon finding success on the ground will also take the pressure off Burrow.

With the O-Line struggles, Taylor has been conservative with Burrow, but if they want to get the offense going early, they need to open the playbook and let Burrow air it out. Send Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and let them go get it. There is too much talent on this offense to be putting up goose eggs in the first quarter.

Getting behind an offense like the Steelers could be disastrous. Clearly, teams can afford to play from behind against the Bears. Even though they lost, the Bengals came back into that game. The Steelers have the capability to put this game away early if the Bengals cannot get going.