Joe Burrow looks to snap an "average" streak as Cincinnati chases a 3-0 start, while a relentless pass rush aims to derail Aaron Rodgers in this heated clash.
The Cincinnati Bengals face their bitter division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Sunday with a chance to reach 3-0 for the first time since 2015, when the Bengals started 8-0. The ferocious Cincinnati pass rush has been the most threatening aspect of the Bengals, while the offense is playing efficiently but not explosively, as many expected.
Let’s make some bold predictions for Sunday’s game.
Aaron Rodgers throws for 300+ yards
Rodgers hasn’t thrown for 300+ yards since December of 2024, when he went for 339 yards against the Miami Dolphins in an overtime loss.
I think the competitive juices of this game, mixed with the fact that the Steelers' running game is virtually nonexistent, line up for a shootout between the two rivals. Rodgers has targeted DK Metcalf 19 times in two games. Look for Roman Wilson to step up and have a decent game, while Metcalf explodes and takes advantage of the volume he’s been getting.
Tee Higgins scores twice
Higgins has 16 targets in two games, coming off a 10-target, five-reception game against the Texans this past Sunday in which he went for 95 yards. Higgins hasn’t gone more than two games without a touchdown since the 2023 season, so the Bengals' talented WR2 is more than due for a meeting with the end zone.
As Joe Burrow starts to get away from playing “incredibly average,” Higgins could very well be a beneficiary.
Boye Mafe posts two sacks
Mafe has been one of Cincinnati’s most impactful pass rushers through pressure in two games. He’s continuing what he did in Seattle last season, making more of an indirect impact than a direct one in sacks.
However, Rodgers has been sacked six times this season and was sacked four times last week against the New England Patriots. It’s trending toward Mafe starting to see the fruits of his labor and get involved directly, joining the multi-sack party with Cedric Johnson and Jonathan Allen.
Chase Brown compiles 100 all-purpose yards
Both TreVeyon Henderson and Bijan Robinson had success against this Steelers defense, with Henderson rushing for 76 yards and Robinson combining for 173 all-purpose yards.
Brown has been quiet for two weeks, totaling just 136 yards on 32 carries and averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He has also caught passes for just 24 yards. Brown could take advantage of the attention Pittsburgh will pay to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, going for a lot of volume.
