How the Steelers Can Beat the Bengals: 5 Keys to Victory in Week 12

Jaylen Warren Takes Over the Backfield

Over the last three weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten back to their bread and butter, which is running the football. Jaylen Warren has shown his explosiveness, while Najee Harris has been productive, too. Still, if the Steelers really want to find the next gear on offense, they'll need Warren to lead the backfield in touches. Harris and Warren are a good pairing in the backfield when you factor in their different skill sets, but Warren has proven to be more effective at making plays. The Steelers have to see that, and Warren needs to lead the team in touches in Week 12. 

Kenny Pickett Gets Opportunity to Sling It

It feels as though a lot of the time, the Steelers weren't letting second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett loose. For them to truly see what they have in him, they have to let him throw over the middle of the field and take chances. Pickett has a solid supporting cast on offense, and they need to get tight-end Pat Freiermuth involved over the middle. The Steelers have been able to find success running the football of late, but for them to reach their ceiling offensively, they need to let Pickett sling it. 

T.J. Watt Disrupts the Game

T.J. Watt has loved to play the Cincinnati Bengals in his career, and with an inexperienced quarterback taking the snaps in Week 12, you have to feel pretty good about Watt's chances of being productive. The Bengals are going to try to give Jake Browning every chance to succeed, but Watt can hurt you in many different ways. If the Steelers want to take down the Bengals in Week 12, they'll need Watt to get to the quarterback and potentially even create a turnover. The Bengals still have playmakers on the outside, even without Joe Burrow throwing the football, and pressure will be key in keeping them away from big days offensively. 

George Pickens Gets Involved

It's hardly a secret that wide receiver George Pickens is the most talented pass catcher on the Steelers. He hasn't been able to find consistent success since Diontae Johnson returned from injury, but a large part of that has been due to the play-calling we've seen. With Matt Canada no longer calling the plays, there will be an emphasis on getting Pickens the football and allowing him to make plays. If Pickens gets one-on-one coverage, Kenny Pickett has to give him a chance to make splash plays in Week 12. 

Jaylen Warren Takes Over the Backfield

Over the last three weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten back to their bread and butter, which is running the football. Jaylen Warren has shown his explosiveness, while Najee Harris has been productive, too. Still, if the Steelers really want to find the next gear on offense, they'll need Warren to lead the backfield in touches. Harris and Warren are a good pairing in the backfield when you factor in their different skill sets, but Warren has proven to be more effective at making plays. The Steelers have to see that, and Warren needs to lead the team in touches in Week 12.