Bengals: 3 ways Joe Burrow can flourish vs. Steelers in Week 3
The Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) dropped a close road game against the Chicago Bears last Sunday, 20-17. Joe Burrow had his most troubled game up until this point, throwing three interceptions on three consecutive passes.
Here are three ways Burrow can have success and flourish against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
3. Attack the secondary while switching up schemes to keep the defense off-balance.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an elite defense. But at the same time, they are banged up with multiple injuries, as T.J. Watt, Joe Haden, and Devin Bush are all battling injuries.
Now they may not all be inactive, but exploiting those kinks will be crucial. If Haden isn’t 100% and he’s on the field. Attack Haden over Minkah Fitzpatrick. Finding the defense’s weaknesses, even if there aren’t many, will be essential to the offense’s success Sunday.
Steelers injury report is a bit longer than expected, but some relatively decent news:
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 22, 2021
TJ Watt (groin) and Joe Haden (groin) were limited, Devin Bush (groin) was a full participant.
The bad: Diontae Johnson (knee) DNP, pic.twitter.com/L7ceqUA4nY
Being conservative will not help the Bengals against the Steelers, which is very vital to realize. If we take the same approach we did against the Bears; then the same outcome will happen. We need to be aggressive from the jump and keep the momentum on our side as much as possible. Playing on the road in a rivalry game, the stakes will be high. Capitalizing on opportunities on the offensive end when they present themselves is what Burrow and the rest of the offense have to do.
Switching up schemes and using the running backs and tight ends to catch screen passes with lead blockers could be a formula in this game for successful gains. I expect Cincy to use C.J. Uzomah a lot more in the passing game. Against Chicago, he ran a few routes where he was wide open off of the route, and Burrow did not see him, or the play couldn’t develop fast enough.
This is a toughness game for the offensive line. They can’t be pushed around, or it will be a long day for Burrow. It’s time for the guards Quinton Spain and Xavier Su’a-Filo (if he plays) and center Trey Hopkins to step up alongside the help side blocking by Drew Sample and Mixon and Samaje Perine.