The Cincinnati Bengals get one more chance to keep the season alive and make the Joe Burrow return a reality.
While a new report says Burrow will return regardless of the Bengals’ record, the front office could have something to say on that matter if he attempts to rejoin a 3-8 team in a few weeks.
First up? A visit to Pittsburgh for a rematch with the Steelers.
Back in Week 7 on a Thursday night, Joe Flacco’s first fully prepped showing for the Bengals resulted in a 33-31 win. The veteran passer threw for 342 yards and three scores, the offense averaged 6.2 yards per carry on the ground and Ja’Marr Chase caught 16 of 23 targets. That negated the Cincinnati defense coughing up four passing scores to Aaron Rodgers.
It always comes back to the Bengals defense, though.
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That Bengals defense is on pace to be one of the worst-ever units if something doesn’t change. The Bengals can’t turn away from the youth movement after trading Logan Wilson at linebacker and having nobody reliable to throw out there behind the current starting safeties.
Worst of all? Shemar Stewart, the team’s first-round pick, just went to injured reserve. All-Pro Trey Hendrickson won’t play and is flying close to getting put on injured reserve, too.
As for the Steelers, they’re 5-4 and have lost two of their last three since that game against the Bengals. But every loss there came against winning teams and the win featured them taking down eight-win Indianapolis.
It’s hard to say if Joe Burrow returning to practice this week and essentially confirming a return (toe permitting) in a few weeks will have an impact here.
But on paper? The Bengals players should be pretty motivated to suddenly not be playing in a lost season. And a quality upgraded offensive line is running the ball really well. If that continues, Flacco should be able to force another quality double-digit target count at Chase, which has already proven to be a recipe for success in this matchup.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Steelers 27
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Final score predictions for Bengals vs. Steelers in Week 11
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
