Bengals vs. Steelers prediction, picks: Tee Higgins plus revamped defense will top Aaron Rodgers
The NFC North gets the spotlight in Week 3 as the 2-0 Bengals hit the road to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. It’s been smooth sailing for Joe Burrow and Co.as the Bengals’ revamped defensive line is paying its dues, and then some, which spells trouble for a struggling Steelers front that’s been reshuffling its rotation because of injury.Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense still haven’t put together a complete game, accounting for only two touchdowns through Weeks 1 and 2 combined.Cincinnati is a 3.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook and is looking to cover on the road for the second straight week. Before crowning the Bengals defense legit after just two games, they certainly pass the eye test on paper.Heading into this division matchup, Al Golden’s front unit has effectively grounded opposing running backs, holding the fourth-best run defense DVOA alongside a 32.3% stuff rate, according to FTN Fantasy.Former Giant and offseason addition Dexter Lawrence delivered big moments during Cincy’s Week 2 win over Houston, completely neutralizing David Montgomery and Woody Marks in the backfield.This is worrisome for Mike McCarthy’s offense, which managed only a field goal last week in their 17-point loss in Foxborough.
Rodgers was sacked four times and fumbled twice as Spencer Anderson struggled to contain the Patriots’ pass rush. With Anderson now landing on the injury report, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is forced into another rotation shift just three weeks in.If there is a silver lining for Rodgers, it lies with Pat Freiermuth, as Cincy’s defense has surrendered a league-high 200 receiving yards to tight ends through two games.This would normally be a classic bounce-back spot for a Mike Tomlin-led squad against a division foe, but Cincy’s newlook defense paired with a healthy Joe Burrow under center should be enough to pull away. Burrow and the Bengals are unbeaten in his last three road starts in Pittsburgh, and we already know what he ...