The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unusual position as they prepare for their regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite clinching a playoff berth, Pittsburgh’s recent three-game skid against top-tier opponents has dampened the celebratory mood.
At 10-6, the Steelers have likely seen their AFC North title hopes slip away, while their typically reliable defense has shown concerning vulnerabilities through uncharacteristic mental errors.
However, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes sees a silver lining in the upcoming matchup, viewing it as an ideal opportunity for the Steelers to rediscover their offensive rhythm before the playoffs begin.
“You guys know the concept of like a mouthwash game, which is, if you have the football equivalent of bad breath, you play a certain defense, and suddenly your breath just smells better. That is the opportunity at hand for this Pittsburgh offense going against Cincinnati,” Kimes said, via NFL on ESPN. “… So there’s a real get right opportunity for the Steelers offense.”
.@minakimes explains how the Steelers’ offense has a “get right” opportunity against the Bengals
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— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 3, 2025
Her optimism stems from the Steelers’ previous meeting with the Bengals, when their offensive approach proved particularly effective.
The Week 13 game plan successfully exploited Cincinnati’s defensive weaknesses, especially in the shorter passing game.
The running back duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren emerged as key in that matchup, accumulating 122 yards after catch by consistently challenging the Bengals’ linebackers with check-down passes and forcing missed tackles.
As the Steelers prepare for this crucial game, they’ll likely look to replicate this successful strategy, making it an essential stepping stone for building offensive momentum heading into the postseason.
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