3 reasons the Bengals will beat the Steelers in Week 3
By Riley Thomas
![Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) in the second quarter of the NFL 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. The Bengals led 17-0 at halftime.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) in the second quarter of the NFL 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. The Bengals led 17-0 at halftime.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstripehype-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15347532-850x560-9b16a50a02366271d770c06866fda585.jpg)
Logan Wilson’s impressive start is making Cincinnati’s linebackers less vulnerable.
Pittsburgh’s offense is dead last in the NFL averaging only 57 rushing yards per game. In the past, that wouldn’t hold much value going into a game against the Bengals’ weak linebacking corps. However, Cincinnati’s Logan Wilson is making a big impact in changing the unit this season.
All around, Wilson is off to the great start the Bengals needed.
Logan Wilson NFL ranks this season min. 100 snaps:
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) September 20, 2021
PFF Grade: 79.6 (5th)
Coverage grade: 83.2 (3rd)
Passer Ruth Allowed: 50.0 (3rd)
Yards per catch: 6.3 (6th)
Missed tackles: 0 (T-1)
This is the kinda leap he needed for the LB room this season. pic.twitter.com/JFw5G4npYY
Wilson is proving he excels in pass coverage while making plays against the run. Take a look at this play where Wilson diagnoses the run well.
Logan Wilson and Josh Tupou combining for a really nice run stop. pic.twitter.com/Lho3q5yDYr
— Mike (@bengals_sans) September 21, 2021
Cincinnati can feel confident about stopping the run going into the Steelers game. As mentioned, the Bengals’ pass rush could wreak havoc again this week, combined with stopping the run creates problems for Pittsburgh.
The Bengals defense is not going to shut down the Steelers, but they could do a great job limiting them due to the listed reasons. Stopping the run would make Pittsburgh one-dimensional, and if the passing attack is limited due to the Bengals pass rush, this should equal success.
Related Story. 3 Players Trending Up, 3 Trending Down. light
In Pittsburgh, the Bengals haven’t had a lot of success in recent years. However, that could change this Sunday since Cincinnati is showing signs of improvement this season. The Bengals will have a good shot winning if the defense performs well and the offense can generate some explosive plays.