Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
TV Schedule: Monday, Sept. 16, 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
Weather: Low 56, High 78
Line: Cincinnati (-7.5)
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the favorites to contend for a Super Bowl in 2013, but following a tough week one loss against the Chicago Bears, many glaring problems on this team have arisen. Andy Dalton passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns, but limited his options to just one guy in A.J. Green who caught nine passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest problem with the offense is that there is no solid No. 2 option at wide receiver as the two tight ends finished second and third in receiving yards in week one with Mohamed Sanu gaining just 19 yards on four catches.
On the other side of the field, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offensive woes are pretty obvious as well. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger failed to reach 200 yards, but threw the team’s only touchdown to go along with an interception. With just 195 yards of total offense including 32 net rushing yards, this team might have a problem in the backfield until rookie Le’Veon Bell comes back from his lisfranc injury in a month. Antonio Brown led all receivers with five catches for 79 yards while Jerricho Cotchery scored the only touchdown.
Defensively, the Steelers held Chris Johnson to just 70 rushing yards in week one while losing to the Tennessee Titans in an ugly game. They only allowed 229 yards of total offense and one touchdown and prove to be one of the best defenses in football. The Bengals shut down the run game of Matt Forte and held the Bears under 100 yards rushing. However, the secondary needs some work as they allowed Jay Cutler to connect with Brandon Marshall eight times for 104 yards.
PREDICTION: Steelers 14, Bengals 24
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers: Should Isaac Redman Start in Week Two?
Cincinnati’s Week One Loss Shows Glaring Problems on Offense
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
