The Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers are slated to match up in Week 3 for an AFC North tilt. Division games are never easy, and with how Cincinnati heads into the game, the Steelers need to bring their best foot forward.
Through two games, Pittsburgh's offense has been a complete mess. Ahead of Week 3, I reached out to Still Curtain's expert Tommy Jaggi and asked what three things the offense needs to improve upon, and his response will paint a clearer picture of what fans should look for.
The offense must get better at these three things, according to Steelers expert Tommy Jaggi
"The Steelers' offensive line has been a major issue to begin the season. Right guard Spencer Anderson allowed seven pressures in Week 2—one of which resulted in a costly strip-sack that was scooped up by the Patriots for a defensive touchdown. This unit has struggled to pick up blitzes and stunts, and they need to find a way to anchor and get on the same page quickly," Jaggi wrote.
First and foremost, keeping pressure away from the quarterback is the most important thing a team can do, especially when they have an older quarterback like Rodgers. The Steelers have struggled in that department, and that will always be a recipe for disaster.
Going into this contest, the Steelers need to make it a priority that their communication is up to par, as the Bengals' new-look defensive line could make things difficult for Pittsburgh. Cincinnati is currently tied for first in the NFL in sacks (8) and has shown they can get after the quarterback. The Steelers must find a way to be more consistent there, or it will be a tough day. In both the run and pass game.
The Bengals' defensive front, led by new additions Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Dexter Lawrence II, and Cashius Howell, has all positively impacted this team. With the Steelers dealing with some problems up front, it would be another game where Cincinnati wins the battle in the trenches.
Jaggi added, "DK Metcalf has been abysmal. The veteran is coming off the worst two-game stretch of his NFL career, catching just eight of 19 targets for 67 yards. Metcalf is also on a season pace for 26 drops this year, as well as a career low in catches and yards. Metcalf will always be inconsistent, but he needs to start playing bully-ball and focusing at the catch point."
The Steelers gave DK Metcalf a four-year, $132 million extension in 2025, but his start to the campaign has been poor. As Jaggi pointed out, drops have been a problem for Metcalf, which is a concentration issue.
The Steelers paid him to be their WR1, and they need him to take control of that role ASAP. For two straight games, he has finished with 40 or fewer receiving yards. For Pittsburgh's sake, that's unacceptable. Pittsburgh needs him to be physical at the catch point and make plays after the catch, which he has done throughout his career but dating back to last season, he has struggled.
He's finished with 55 or fewer receiving yards in 11 of his last 12 games. He has also scored just two touchdowns during this span. Metcalf hasn't been able to make much of an impact, and that has continued in 2026. Cincinnati knows they can't make it easy for him, but they have to be feeling good about their chances of slowing him down.
Metcalf hasn't impacted Pittsburgh's aerial attack the way they wanted, and now he comes into this matchup stumbling, and that works in Cincinnati's favor. The rest of the Steelers' receiver room doesn't scare you, so if their best guy is having his fits, that will make the job for Cincinnati much easier.
And his final point of emphasis came around quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as he wrote, "The Steelers have an Aaron Rodgers problem that we already knew about last season. The aging quarterback is skittish in the pocket and unwilling to push the ball down the field. This has resulted in Rodgers being 30th in QBR and EPA among quarterbacks with at least 50 snaps entering Week 3. Rodgers is a shell of his former self, but he still needs to show the willingness to drive the ball over the middle of the field, even if it means he's going to take the occasional hit."
Rodgers hasn't played good football. Yes, he's 42 years old and isn't looking to get hit at this stage of his career. I mean, who would? Yet, his quick trigger in the pocket is limiting what the offense can do.
He's become a check-down merchant and isn't looking to take shots downfield. That kind of game plan isn't sustainable, as defenses are biting down on everything short. Through the first two games, the Bengals have mainly sent four pass rushers and dropped seven guys in coverage. They will likely lean on that plan again, and if Rodgers doesn't test the Bengals vertically, they will have defenders swarm the ball on everything underneath.
Rodgers' reluctance to take chances downfield has hurt and will hurt the Steelers' offense. They enter this game ranked 30th in total offense (249.5), 29th in pass offense (175), and 31st in points per game (11.5).
Steelers' offense needs more, and it starts with Rodgers. Instead of making comments during the postgame presser, he needs to look in the mirror and play better. That requires standing tall in the pocket to push the ball over the middle and downfield, which isn't something he's been willing to do over the last couple of years.
Rodgers is more known for his name now than his play on the field. With how fierce the Bengals' defensive front has been, it will give Rodgers and Pittsburgh's offense fits. Especially if they can speed up his clock and get some shots on him. He doesn't want to get hit, and everyone knows it. Knocking him to the ground in this contest will only benefit the Bengals' chances of winning.
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