Tomlin: Bengals a 'measuring stick' for Steelers

[hawaiiansteeler]

Mike Tomlin: Bengals a 'measuring stick' for Steelers

Bryan DeArdo



Not long ago, the Bengals would have called the Steelers a measuring stick game. The tables have turned, with Pittsburgh measuring themselves against the undefeated Bengals.

The Steelers' first seven games were a mixed bag of emotions, culminating in a 4-3 record. It's been nothing of the sort for the Bengals, who are 6-0 while becoming the team the Steelers are measuring themselves against heading into Sunday's game at Heinz Field.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called Sunday's game a "measuring stick" for his team, who will look to make a statement on Sunday heading into the second half of the season.

Cincinnati certainly has Pittsburgh's attention. The Bengals are one of the final five undefeated teams left, and have done it with a balanced offensive attack and with a defense that has made big plays in critical moments.

The leader of the Bengals is Andy Dalton. Much maligned during this past offseason following Cincinnati's fourth straight loss in the first round of the playoffs, Dalton is playing the best football of his life. Dalton, who has 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions thus far, has only been sacked six times in six games. His biggest weapon has been A.J. Green, who has 35 catches for 531 yards with three touchdowns. Dalton has also looked early and often to tight end Tyler Eifert, who has caught 28 passes and a team best six touchdowns thus far. Marvin Jones has also become a reliable target, with 24 catches and three touchdowns.

Cincinnati's running game has been efficient. Giovani Bernard is the team's leading rusher while averaging 5.5 yards per carry, while Jeremy Hill leads the Bengals with five rushing touchdowns.

Protecting Ben Roethlisberger against the Bengals' pass rush will be a critical factor on Sunday. While they only have 17 sacks on the year, Cincinnati has two of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. Dunlap has 6.5 sacks thus far, while Atkins has 4.0 sacks heading into Sunday's game. With two backups starting on their offensive line, the Steelers' front five will have to give Big Ben time while protecting his still healing knee.

to read rest of article:

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Mike-T...lers--40612903

[86WARD]

Cincinnati has been a very solid football team. First they lack injury which is always a plus. Secondly, they are pretty solid on defense and lastly, they are perfection on offense. There has been zero flaw in their O-Game. Big Ginger has been almost flawless so far this season.

Even with Ben, this team will be tough to beat...

[Count Steeler]

Cincinnati has been a very solid football team. First they lack injury which is always a plus. Secondly, they are pretty solid on defense and lastly, they are perfection on offense. There has been zero flaw in their O-Game. Big Ginger has been almost flawless so far this season.

Even with Ben, this team will be tough to beat...

No night games yet. Just wait.

[fansince'76]

Someone's selling wolf tickets...

Steelers Week! isn't buzzing the way it once did. The Bengals aren't running around amped up on Wednesday afternoon, thinking about all the heroic things they're going to need to do to win Sunday at Heinz Field. Steelers Week! used to be about uptight bravado, from a young and talented team that wanted to be the Steelers when it grew up. Now, it's 53 men preparing for a business trip.

Put away the measuring stick. The Big Brother-Little Brother thing is dead. Has been, in fact, for a few years. It might still be a "manhood game'' as Willie Anderson called it a decade ago, or a "two-chinstrap game'' as Wallace Gilberry termed it Wednesday. But Little Bro is all grown up now.

...That will be true no matter what happens Sunday. It would take more than one loss to rattle the Bengals, who have a decided edge in talent over Pittsburgh, and have become the Steelers equals in temperament.

Read more: Doc: Steelers game no longer measuring stick

I'll give them Eifert, but that's about it.

Roethlisberger > Dalton

Bell/Williams > Hill/Bernard

AB > Green

Bryant > Sanu

If that pedestrian-ass offense of the Squawks could put up 24 on them in Cincy, I'm not real worried about our offense putting up points on them in Heinz now that we're finally going to be playing with a real QB again.

[Skinart82]

I think they can have a little room to talk once they win a playoff game, until then, they should shut it

[polamalubeast]

Someone's selling wolf tickets...



Read more: Doc: Steelers game no longer measuring stick

I'll give them Eifert, but that's about it.

Roethlisberger > Dalton

Bell/Williams > Hill/Bernard

AB > Green

Bryant > Sanu

If that pedestrian-ass offense of the Squawks could put up 24 on them in Cincy, I'm not real worried about our offense putting up points on them in Heinz now that we're finally going to be playing with a real QB again.

And Hue Jackson > Todd Haley.....

[fansince'76]

And Hue Jackson > Todd Haley.....

Good call. I just hope the offense doesn't start ripping off huge chunks of yardage only for him to get "cute" and call something stupid to kill the drive.

[Edman]

From what I gather, Cincy has that attitude where they can just show up Sunday and they'll win, can't blame them. They're 6-0.

The Steelers for the better part of two months have been without a QB, fielding half a real team, and still managed to come out of it 4-3 and still in the hunt.

I think I would be a lot more wary of a talented team who hangs tough and keeps it together than a team who gets hot and peaks early, because sooner or later, the Bengals are going to cool off and they're going to have to tough out some games. No team can stay hot forever.

[hawaiiansteeler]

No team can stay hot forever.

[Edman]

The Dolphins had to come from behind to beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship that year. Got the job done? Yes. Invincible? No.

[86WARD]

The Dolphins had to come from behind to beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship that year. Got the job done? Yes. Invincible? No.

17-0 is invincible. lol. No one proved otherwise.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Bengals can begin to lap the AFC North with a win Sunday

Posted by Zac Jackson on October 29, 2015



Mathematically, the Bengals can not clinch the AFC North title Sunday in Pittsburgh. There’s more than half a season still to be played.

Realistically, the 4-3 Steelers are probably playing for a wildcard if they don’t beat the 6-0 Bengals.

A loss would drop the Steelers to 0-2 in the division, both at home. There’s a lot of season left, and the Steelers still haven’t played a game with their full offense, but even if the Bengals slip in the second half, the Steelers would have to be awfully good and awfully fortunate to make up that much ground.

After their Nov. 22 bye weekend, the Steelers play four of their last six games on the road.

to read rest of article:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-a-win-sunday/

[86WARD]

Well Ben did sweep the Bengals last season...42-21 and 27-17...sooooooo...

[hawaiiansteeler]

Well Ben did sweep the Bengals last season...42-21 and 27-17...sooooooo...

the Steelers have won 6 of 8 against Cincy since Andy Dalton has been their QB.

[Texasteel]

Good call. I just hope the offense doesn't start ripping off huge chunks of yardage only for him to get "cute" and call something stupid to kill the drive.

Gee, when has that ever happened.

[teegre]

Well Ben did sweep the Bengals last season...42-21 and 27-17...sooooooo...

Exactly.

The game hasn't even been played yet, and the pundits are already awarding the DIVISION to the Bengals.

[86WARD]

Bengals can't clinch, but with a win Sunday...they're on their way...lol.

[polamalubeast]

the Steelers have won 6 of 8 against Cincy since Andy Dalton has been their QB.

The Steelers can win this game, but I've watched some games of the Bengals this year and Andy Dalton is a very different QB this year.

Of course, Dalton has yet to win a playoff game, but this year he is very impressive right now.This is a new Andy Dalton(QB rating of 116.1).

[hawaiiansteeler]

the Bengals rank 28th in the NFL by allowing opponents to rush for 4.9 yards per carry.

expect a heavy dose of Le'Veon Bell, and if they try to put 8 in the box to stop him Ben has the ability to burn them for it...

[st33lersguy]

Hopefully first of all disaster doesn't strike and Ben plays (he is probable and is not putting his hopes up), hopefully second he calls the plays and not Haley. The defense with Tuitt out and that useless waste of space Can't Thomas in is very problematic but our offense is capable of putting up huge numbers on them. Plus the Bengals are 6-0 so Tomlin will be fired up for this game

[NCSteeler]

1 SEP 13 WIN AT BENGALS 33 RAIDERS 13
2 SEP 20 WIN CHARGERS 19 BENGALS 24
3 SEP 27 WIN AT BENGALS 28 RAVENS 24
4 OCT 4 WIN CHIEFS 21 BENGALS 36
5 OCT 11 WIN SEAHAWKS 24 BENGALS 27
6 OCT 18 WIN AT BENGALS 34 BILLS 21

An argument can be made that they really havn't beaten anyone that is a solid team. BUT record is everything. Because the same arguement can be made that we lost a couple we shouldn't have.
STEELERS still the better team , we'll see how Ben plays and our new tackle.

[86WARD]

Steelers may have better players in some positions, but are they a better "team"?

[hawaiiansteeler]

Bengals' defensive scouting report:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/10...outing-report/

[TeeTee]

From what I gather, Cincy has that attitude where they can just show up Sunday and they'll win, can't blame them. They're 6-0.

The Steelers for the better part of two months have been without a QB, fielding half a real team, and still managed to come out of it 4-3 and still in the hunt.

I think I would be a lot more wary of a talented team who hangs tough and keeps it together than a team who gets hot and peaks early, because sooner or later, the Bengals are going to cool off and they're going to have to tough out some games. No team can stay hot forever.

Exactly, and wouldn't it be fitting for Cinci to win the div. but lose to Pgh in the playoffs when it obviously matters most? It not only might happen, I find it likely to happen.

- - - Updated - - -

Steelers may have better players in some positions, but are they a better "team"?

Especially when you figure Haley's horse shit play calling in the mix.

[EzraTank]

Tomlin measured up right where we knew he would.