Die Stealers Die Week (Act 1)

[|High School Harry|]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pittsburgh-Stealers-cincinnati-bengals-predictions-170707596.html

Lorenzo Reyes: Bengals 16, Stealers 13

Jake Browning did reasonably well in relief of Joe Burrow, but this Cincinnati offense won’t be near the same level. Still, the Stealers have monumental issues on offense and Kenny Pickett is not a viable starting quarterback. I think this is an excellent candidate for the under. Frankly, that’s the strongest play here.

Tyler Dragon: Stealers 20, Bengals 16

The Stealers relieved offensive coordinator Matt Canada of his duties this week. It’s the Stealers’ first midseason coordinator change since 1941. Will Canada’s firing jumpstart a sputtering Stealers offense? Pittsburgh might not have to score many points against a Joe Burrow-less Bengals squad. Cincinnati’s postseason hopes sank in the Ohio River after Burrow went down with a season-ending wrist injury.

Safid Deen: Bengals 16, Stealers 13

This game will be all about defense. Kenny Pickett and the Stealers offense are struggling mightily. And Bengals backup Jake Browning gets his chance to drive a Ferrari. This game comes down to which quarterback can make a play on third down. Bengals win at home.

Victoria Hernandez: Stealers 23, Bengals 17

Look what happened when the Raiders brought in fresh leadership. After last week's loss, Najee Harris let his frustration be known and hinted that there's team culture issues. Apparently, Mike Tomlin listened. The Stealers will be revved up with a new offensive coordinator while the Bengals will be trying to find a rhythm without Joe Burrow.

Jordan Mendoza: Bengals 15, Stealers 13

This one has the making of being a slugfest with few points scored in between. While it may seem like without Joe Burrow, Cincinnati would be finished, the Bengals still have a ton of weapons that can help Jake Browning. It won't be pretty, and there might not be any touchdowns scored, but Cincinnati gets an inspiring win at home.

 

[Le Tigre]

[Arkansas Bengal]

Pittsburgh Stealers (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bengals without Joe Burrow will be a different team. Jake Browning starts, but we have no real idea what he can do. The Stealers defense is good. We know that. The Stealers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada this week to hopefully liven up the offense. Kenny Pickett needs to play better now. He will here as the Stealers take it. 

 

Pick: Stealers 23, Bengals 21

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-12-nfl-picks-cowboys-feast-on-commanders-jaguars-beat-texans-in-battle-atop-afc-south/

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Stealers

AT

Cincinnati Bengals

WHERE: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)

WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | CBS

MONEYLINE: Stealers: -115 | Bengals: -105

SPREAD: Stealers -1.0 | O/U: 34.5

 

Ali - Stealers 18-15

 

Brooke - Stealers 19-16

 

Dan - Stealers 16-13

 

Gennaro - Stealers 22-16

 

Tom - Stealers 20-17

 

 

Why Ali is taking the Stealers: Difficult to predict how either of these two offenses function after the week they've had. There's no replacing Joe Burrow, obviously, but the Bengals should take some solace in the fact Jake Browning didn't completely fall on his face last week in relief of the Pro Bowler. The 27-year-old led two scoring drives (sandwiched around three three-and-outs) in the second half, with the latter being an eight-play series ending in a touchdown pass -- garbage time aside, it's at least something to hang his hat on as he heads into his first career start and third NFL game. That Browning has as many TD throws as Kenny Pickett over the last month explains the Stealers' need for a new offensive voice. Will a different play-caller provide the spark Pittsburgh desperately desires? Will it matter against a Burrow-less Bengals squad? My guess is no to both. But for another week, the Stealers' defense -- and its proclivity for forcing fourth-quarter turnovers -- picks up the slack, keeping Pittsburgh in the playoff picture.

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/week-12-nfl-picks-2023-nfl-season

 

 

 

Stealers 20   Bengals 16

PREDICTION

SUMMARY

This AFC North matchup lost a lot of luster with the injury to Joe Burrow, which will prevent any rise in the standings and impact the fantasy fortunes of all the remaining Bengals' receivers. The 6-4 Stealers need the help as the current No. 3 team in the division. This is expected to be the lowest-scoring game of the week, and the Stealers passing problems seem to worsen rather than improve. The Stealers have the advantage of not debuting a new quarterback, but the veteran Pickett hasn't been much of an advantage.

These AFC North rivals traded road wins in 2022. The Stealers won 23-20 in Cincinnati and the Bengals won 37-30 in Pittsburgh.

 

Team Notes: The Stealers just lost to the Browns, who are on their third quarterback. But the Stealers stick with Kenny Pickett despite diminishing production and a growing inability to connect with his receivers, who are public about their unhappiness. The Stealers passing offense rates as the worst in the NFL and their rushing effort isn't enough when facing top-tier teams. The backfield remains a split affair but at least the following games are at home against the Cardinals and Patriots for a chance to notch a couple of wins. Other than Week 18 at the Ravens, the rest of the schedule isn't bad, but the lack of passing will doom the Stealers if they reach the playoffs.

The Stealers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The QB coach Mike Sullivan will take over play-calling duties which hopefully helps Kenny Pickett get back on track.

 

Quarterbacks: Kenny Pickett only threw for 106 yards last week with no scores and just 126 yards the previous week. He started the year with three straight games of around 230 yards and a score but has just two passing touchdowns over the last seven games. Half of his starts failed to break 200 passing yards. It's causing friction in the locker room and that won't improve anything.

 

Running Backs: Jaylen Warren was named the No. 1 running back but apparently, it is more of an honorary title since Najee Harris had more touches for the last two weeks. Warren has done much more with his chances, but Harris remains just as involved. Warren ran for over 85 yards for the last three weeks and scored the last two weeks. He's a solid fantasy start and seems underused as any fantasy owner would attest. Harris was particularly ineffective versus the Browns when he only gained 35 yards on 12 carries and caught a one-yard pass. Warren gained 129 yards and a score on his nine rushes. Warren broke a 74-yard scoring run, something the plodding Harris is unlikely to match.

 

Wide Receivers: Not a happy group, nor particularly busy. George Pickens logged three 100-yard games through Week 7 but hasn't been better than 45 yards in the next four weeks. Diontae Johnson was seen arguing with a position coach on the sideline and had to be physically removed from him. Johnson only had three catches total from the last two games. Pickett has been better with his receivers but the offense is heading in the wrong direction and the Stealers are more likely to run the ball than rely on the pass.

 

Tight Ends: No fantasy value. Pat Freiermuth is back but only caught one pass last week.

 

Match to Defense: The Bengals will be challenged to keep up with Joe Burrow gone, and the Stealers are certain to rely on the run as much as possible. The Bengals are already weaker versus running backs and allowed nine touchdowns to the position and three 100-yard rushers. If the Bengals struggle to move the ball - which is likely - there could 30 or more carries to divide and that leaves both Harris and Warren as fantasy options this week.

 

George Pickens and Diontae Johnson have upside, but their risk of a dud game is larger for now. The Bengals are No. 6 versus wideouts. That makes them a big risk. This is not going to be a shootout.

 

Team Notes: Okay, the canvas siding goes into that truck and put the tent poles into a pile. The 2023 season came to an inglorious end, only 11 weeks into the season. In one of those "this changes everything" moments, Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his wrist and is gone for the season. That spawned an internet and fan firestorm since he was not on the injury report but was photographed with a wrist brace on earlier in practice. No matter, the 5-5 Bengals are already in the basement of the AFC North with no expectations of improvement. The problem is that when a star running back or wideout is injured, the others step up and get more production. When a star quarterback goes out, it's just going to suck for everyone.

 

Quarterbacks: The days of Steve Young twiddling his thumbs while Joe Montana played have been over for a couple of decades. Under the salary cap (which, incidentally, was related in part to Young and Montana on the same team), playing out $40 million a year for a quarterback usually means he's backed up by a guy willing to work for minimum wage, plus he has to help hand out towels after the game. The Jake Browning era begins, and he's waited since 2019 when he was an undrafted free agent for the Vikings. He is 27 years old and has a total of eight career completions - all this year. He'll get his chance to be the starter and the schedule isn't too bad until the final three games of @PIT, @KC, and CLE. The Bengals will also look to add another quarterback to the stable, but the cupboards are pretty bare by now. Maybe Carson Wentz should have waited just a little longer.

 

Running Backs: The Bengals are likely to prefer the run more without Joe Burrow there and that plays well for Joe Mixon. The most interesting stat to come out of this game will be how often Jake Browning throws to Mixon, since it could be a nice uptick in touches. But, there is an equal chance that Mixon needs to stay in to pick up the blitz and his catches decline. Mixon scored for the last four games but has never been good for more than moderate yardage. It is a safe bet that the passing stats will take a major hit with Burrow out, but the role of Mixon may be the one player that sees more work.

 

Wide Receivers: Tee Higgins hasn't played since Week 9 but should be back this week. To what remains to be seen. Ja'Marr Chase scored six times in the last six games but only managed two catches for 12 yards versus the Ravens' great defense. He'll still be the primary read on passing plays, but his production will decline and the only question is how much. Tyler Boyd, as the No. 3 receiver, may end up taking a nose-dive in his production if Browning cannot process his reads fast enough to get to the No. 3 guy. The next two games are against these Stealers and at the Jaguars. That will establish what the expectations are for the rest of the year.

 

Tight Ends: No fantasy value.

 

Match to Defense: Jake Browning was on the roster so he could take the final snaps of a blowout win. Now he is the starting quarterback for the first time at the age of 27 during his fifth season in the NFL. On the plus, there is no game tape on him. On the negative, he has no game experience. The Stealers are already No. 10 against quarterbacks and have given up four passing scores over their last six games. Joe Mixon is a must-start since the Bengals will rely on him as much as possible. 

 

What can you expect from Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins? Mostly - risk. There's no way of knowing just how well Browning will connect with them in his first NFL start. Their upside makes them a fantasy option, and the Stealers have been average against wide receivers. But it will take a game or two with Browning as the starter before any expectations can be formed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Arkansas Bengal]

Pittsburgh Stealers @ Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS)

 

Maybe I’m the fool here, but this line makes no sense. 

 

The Stealers just lost to a backup quarterback on the road against Cleveland and being a favorite against another AFC North team with a backup quarterback is excellent for me. I’ll gladly take the Bengals to cover and win this game. 

 

Outside of T.J. Watt, I’m not sure the Stealers have a position group that’s better than Cincinnati's — not offensive line, wide receiver, secondary and the list goes on. I think it’s even fair to look at Bengals quarterback Jake Browning and think he’s not much worse than Kenny Pickett. 

 

Pickett has gotten worse this season when some, including myself, thought we’d see a sophomore bump. Nope. 

 

I like the matchup of the Bengals defensive coaches against Pittsburgh's stinky offense. 

 

PICK: Bengals (+1) to lose by fewer than 1 point (or win outright)

 

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-odds-best-week-12-predictions-including-cowboys-browns-to-cover

[T-Dub]

25 minutes ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

Pittsburgh Stealers @ Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS)

 

Maybe I’m the fool here, but this line makes no sense. 

 

The Stealers just lost to a backup quarterback on the road against Cleveland and being a favorite against another AFC North team with a backup quarterback is excellent for me. I’ll gladly take the Bengals to cover and win this game. 

 

Outside of T.J. Watt, I’m not sure the Stealers have a position group that’s better than Cincinnati's — not offensive line, wide receiver, secondary and the list goes on. I think it’s even fair to look at Bengals quarterback Jake Browning and think he’s not much worse than Kenny Pickett. 

 

Pickett has gotten worse this season when some, including myself, thought we’d see a sophomore bump. Nope. 

 

I like the matchup of the Bengals defensive coaches against Pittsburgh's stinky offense. 

 

PICK: Bengals (+1) to lose by fewer than 1 point (or win outright)

 

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-odds-best-week-12-predictions-including-cowboys-browns-to-cover

 

 

It makes more sense if you consider officiating from "New York" & the possibility of Shitsburg falling 3 games behind in the AFCN.

 

In b4 "..and here come da Stillers!" playoff talk

[Le Tigre]

I would say because it's a 1pm game...not much in the way of skullduggery would be profitable for the league. But, it appears 2/3 of the country will be seeing it on CBS, so who knows? 

[Mikeslumina]

We get the royal screwing from reds. Stealers put 1or  2 of our players out,  score early and often. 37-3. I pray browning is Brady but settle for dtr did last week.

[Arkansas Bengal]

Bengals' Zac Taylor provides Tee Higgins, Sam Hubbard injury updates

 

It sounds like good news on the injury front for the Cincinnati Bengals when it comes to big names like Sam Hubbard and Tee Higgins.

 

Speaking with reporters on the Wednesday before a clash with the Pittsburgh Stealers, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talked about both guys.

 

Taylor effectively said that things are moving in the right direction for both guys and to expect them at practice this week.

 

That’s a big change both in comments from the team and practice participation for both. Higgins has only been able to suit up in seven games this year due to the rib fracture and later hamstring setback in practice. Hubbard has appeared in eight but missed the last three.

 

The Bengals could certainly use the help against the Stealers as the offense breaks in Jake Browning under center and the run defense continues to suffer without Hubbard — with the playoffs still a slim possibility.

 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/22/bengals-zac-taylor-tee-higgins-sam-hubbard-injury-updates/

[|BlackJesus|]

Time to ruin their mood ... 

 

[Bleeds Orange]

 

The replies to this are........something.

[Arkansas Bengal]

Tee Higgins will miss another game for Bengals

 

By Josh Alper

Published November 24, 2023 01:11 PM

 

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is going to be missing from the Bengals offense again on Sunday. 

 

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said at his Friday press conference that Higgins has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. This will be the third straight game that Higgins has missed because of the injury and it will leave Jake Browning short of a key target in his first start since Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury. 
 

Taylor also said that cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt will miss the game against the Stealers. Taylor-Britt is dealing with a hamstring injury. 

 

Defensive end Sam Hubbard has a better outlook than his teammates. Taylor said Hubbard is set to return after missing two games with an ankle injury.

 

profootballtalk.com

[T-Dub]

2 hours ago, Bleeds Orange said:

 

The replies to this are........something.

 

Hanging their hat on a fairly routine block after the damage Burfict's done to them is also.. something. Juju is still checking under his bed for 55 at night.

 

Also Juju is a dog's name. Think Id go by JJ but..

 

 

 

[Shebengal]

4 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

Hanging their hat on a fairly routine block after the damage Burfict's done to them is also.. something. Juju is still checking under his bed for 55 at night.

 

Also Juju is a dog's name. Think Id go by JJ but..

 

 

 

Plus, Juju got it back from Vonn Bell on national TV. 😂

[T-Dub]

3 hours ago, Shebengal said:

Plus, Juju got it back from Vonn Bell on national TV. 😂

 

That was an actual game-changer too

 

 

Could watch that all day.

 

I cant recall, was that ruled a fumble as it should've been or did "New York" intervene?

[Shebengal]

29 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

That was an actual game-changer too

 

 

Could watch that all day.

 

I cant recall, was that ruled a fumble as it should've been or did "New York" intervene?

It was ruled a fumble. This was also right after Juju danced on our logo before the game.

[claptonrocks]

2 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

That was an actual game-changer too

 

 

Could watch that all day.

 

I cant recall, was that ruled a fumble as it should've been or did "New York" intervene?

Knocked his ass into another county..lol

[T-Dub]

2 hours ago, Shebengal said:

It was ruled a fumble. This was also right after Juju danced on our logo before the game.

 

Oh I remember the logo thing. Guess Im conditioned to the refs protecting them whenever possible.

[|High School Harry|]

Game time weather tomorrow...

Mid-upper 40's 65% chance of rain.

Lots of you will enjoy (I hope) from the comfort of your livi ng room with Ian Eagle and Charlie Davis

while I and other hard core fans on here freeze my patoot off... 

---

 

CBS EARLY

[Shebengal]

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Game time weather tomorrow...

Mid-upper 40's 65% chance of rain.

Lots of you will enjoy (I hope) from the comfort of your livi ng room with Ian Eagle and Charlie Davis

while I and other hard core fans on here freeze my patoot off... 

---

 

CBS EARLY

We appreciate the sacrifice you are making on our behalf. 😉

[Dautcom08]

11 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Knocked his ass into another county..lol

 

And his career.  Dude become a has been ever since.

[|High School Harry|]

2 hours ago, Shebengal said:

We appreciate the sacrifice you are making on our behalf. 😉

Sorry... didn't mean to come off snarky...

No kidding. 

[|High School Harry|]

https://www.fox19.com/2023/11/25/joe-burrow-officially-injuredreserve-list-bengals-elevate-qb-aj-mccarron-active-game-against-Stealers/

 

Joe Burrow officially on injured/reserve list, Bengals elevate QB AJ McCarron active for game against Stealers

 

CINCINNATI (WXIX) -Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow is officially on the injured/reserve list after suffering an end-of-the-season injury during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 16, according to the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was announced on the following day that an MRI on the franchise star revealed a torn ligament in his right wrist. The injury happened early in the game against the night before, Head Coach Zac Taylor said in his postgame press conference. 

The Bengals say quarterback AJ McCarron is active for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Stealers. 

“As a practice squad player being elevated to the active roster for the game, he automatically will revert to the practice squad on Monday,” the Bengals said in a press release.

 

The Bengals picked McCarron in the fifth round in the 2014 NFL Draft, according to ESPN. 

McCarron then spent about four years with the Bengals. He also played for other teams, such as the Raiders and the Texans. 

He was signed to the Bengals practice squad in September, according to the Bengals. 

In addition to McCarron, halfback Chase Brown is active for Sunday’s game. Brown was on the reserve/injured list since Oct. 28 with a hamstring injury, the Bengals said.

 

 

 

[Shebengal]

6 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Sorry... didn't mean to come off snarky...

No kidding. 

I didn’t see it as snarky. I’ve done my share of watching cold and rainy sporting events for my son, between baseball and marching band. 😇

[Le Tigre]

14 hours ago, High School Harry said:

while I and other hard core fans on here freeze my patoot off... 

But, you will be fully entertained by the Game Day Experience! 

[|BlackJesus|]

Fuck the Squeelers