Beating Pittsburgh Starts With Containing Jaylen Warren

By Alex Schubert on November 25, 2023

---

This Sunday at 1pm, the Bengals will kick off for their first of two matchups in 2023 against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be a new look offense for both teams. The Bengals will see a different JB under center, as Jake Browning will be taking over the starting job after the Bengals lost Joe Burrow for the year to a wrist injury. For the Steelers, it will be their first game of the year with interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner, as their previous OC Matt Canada was given the boot after last week’s loss to Cleveland.

How can Cincinnati take down the boys in Black and Yellow? Here are our keys to victory.

Contain Jaylen Warren

Yes. You read that correctly.

While Najee Harris has improved since the season began, it has been Jaylen Warren who has truly caught fire of late. In that time span, the Steelers’ second year running back from Oklahoma State has 35 carries for 318 yards and two touchdowns. It amounts to over nine yards per carry, which is staggering for any running back. Warren is a player that is more than capable of breaking out for a big play at literally any moment.

JAYLEN WARREN OPENS THE 2ND HALF WITH A STATEMENT!!!#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/2ybKWJPoD8

— Jordan Clark (@Clarkbar792) November 19, 2023

In a game that is widely expected to be a low scoring affair, any TD can be the difference between a win and a loss for the Bengals. For a team like the Bengals that has struggled to stop the run all year, containing Warren and preventing the big play on the ground is an absolute must.

Jake Browning needs to manage the game effectively

Even though the team has expressed full belief in Jake Browning, there’s no denying that he’s a clear regression from Joe Burrow. The offense won’t be nearly as high-flying as it was under the 2020 number one overall pick, and the stats will, in all likelihood, not be nearly as eye-popping. From this point forward in the season, Jake Browning’s job is to manage games, not turn the ball over, and keep the offense afloat. While he couldn’t keep up with the mighty Ravens’ offense last Thursday, he did a serviceable job as a game manager in the losing effort.

Browning knows what kind of opportunity this is to prove himself. Over the last four years, he has spent time on the Vikings’ practice squad and as a backup/third stringer on the Bengals. He has noted that while it’s been mentally taxing to not get in-game reps, he knew the best thing to do is keep his head on straight.

This 100 seconds is Jake Browning in a nutshell. pic.twitter.com/cw6gqj2D4r

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 22, 2023

His team has expressed belief in him, as has some members of the national media who have gotten more of an inside look at him than the average talking head.

Hey @Bengals fans — you’re going to want to hear what @JwPalms has to say about your new starting quarterback @jake_browning

Note to rest of the league: the #Bengals season is NOT over. pic.twitter.com/OymN2Bep4v

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) November 23, 2023

The passing offense will be without Tee Higgins for a third straight week, but Browning will still have the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, and an improved tight end unit at his disposal.

The defense needs to take advantage of this golden opportunity to get back on track

After two bad defensive performances in the past two weeks, Cincinnati’s defense has an excellent opportunity to return to form against a pitiful Steelers offense that just had to fire its offensive coordinator.

Going into Week 12, the Steelers are tied for the second fewest touchdowns scored in the NFL with only 15. Kenny Pickett has thrown one touchdown in his last five starts, which is a mind boggling statistic for a quarterback who is seemingly in no danger of losing his job anytime soon.

While stud corner Cam Taylor-Britt will be out this week, Cincinnati’s defense will get a major boost.

Zac says not looking good for Tee, CTB.
Sam Hubbard good to go.

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) November 24, 2023

Hubbard’s return is expected to provide relief for a defensive line that has struggled to contain high flying offenses of late. With Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles, having the dynamic duo of Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson back on the field together will be a welcome change of pace for Lou Anarumo and co. This is especially important considering the fact that this defense needs to step up and like we mentioned stop Warren.

 

---