4 Matchups to Watch in Bengals-Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football with first place in the AFC North on the line, as both teams enter the 8:20 p.m. kickoff at Paycor Stadium at 6-2. Pittsburgh won the Week 3 meeting 30-27, and four matchups could determine whether Cincinnati evens the season series and extends its four-game winning streak.

Bengals Run Defense vs. Jaylen Warren

Jaylen Warren will face a Bengals run defense that could not slow him in Week 3. Warren ran for 127 yards on 17 carries, averaging 7.5 yards per carry, and added three catches for 49 yards. One of his explosive runs set up the game-winning field goal, and Pittsburgh outrushed Cincinnati 138-83. 

The problem has not gone away, as the Bengals are allowing a league-worst 5.0 yards per carry and will be without safety Kyle Dugger. Warren has 704 rushing yards this season and has topped 100 yards in three of his last four games.

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins vs. Steelers Secondary

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will test a Steelers secondary led by Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey and Jaquan Brisker. The duo did plenty of damage in the first meeting, as Chase caught nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, while Higgins added six catches for 90 yards, including a 28-yard score. 

Pittsburgh has allowed only seven passing touchdowns this season, tied for the second-fewest in the league. Higgins leads the Bengals with 758 receiving yards, and Chase has a team-high seven touchdowns, so both will be central to the plan.

Amarius Mims vs. T.J. Watt

The most important individual battle could come on the edge, where T.J. Watt will line up primarily across from right tackle Amarius Mims. Watt was held to one tackle and no sacks in Week 3, but the Steelers still got the play that decided the game. Derrick Harmon strip-sacked Joe Burrow with 53 seconds left, and Pittsburgh recovered to seal the win. 

Watt enters Sunday with 7.5 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown, while Burrow has been sacked 15 times this season. If Mims can keep Watt quiet again, Burrow should have time to work.

Bengals Pass Rush vs. Steelers Offensive Line and Aaron Rodgers

Dexter Lawrence and the Bengals pass rush will look to pressure Aaron Rodgers behind a Steelers offensive line that has allowed 23 sacks. Lawrence recorded both of Cincinnati's sacks in Week 3 and added three tackles for loss.

Rodgers still completed 19 of 34 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, and Jordan Battle's interception was the Bengals' only takeaway. Boye Mafe leads the Bengals with 5.5 sacks, and Cincinnati will need him to join Lawrence in the backfield to keep Rodgers from finding a rhythm the way he did in September.