Bengals vs. Steelers: What's the Game Plan for Cincinnati?

As it always seems to do, the impending matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers touts massive implications. 

For the Steelers, the game is a chance to get back into the thick of the AFC North race after surviving quite well without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger—who will play Sunday.

As for the undefeated, historic-start Bengals, this one is all about once again silencing critics and moving to seven wins overall and six in the conference, essentially cementing the division.

Here's a look at how Cincinnati figures to attack and with what key pieces.

Offensive Game Plan 

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

This one is all about the ground game for the Bengals—for the most part. 

Make no mistake, the Bengals can and will hurt the Steelers through the air, as the once-proud unit ranks dead last in the NFL in pass defense this season at Pro Football Focus.

But for Cincinnati this game marks an opportunity for coordinator Hue Jackson's offense to get back to the ground and pound, something Steelers coach Mike Tomlin seems well aware of, per NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

As exploitable as the Steelers look through the air, scoring quickly won't help the Bengals when their own defense struggles with the same thing.

Instead, controlling the clock to keep Big Ben and Le'Veon Bell off the field takes precedence.

Giovani Bernard has been just fine this year, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 427 yards and two scores. In contrast, Jeremy Hill's at 3.1 YPC with 232 yards and five TDs on the ground, often criticized after such a stellar rookie campaign.

It won't be easy sledding for the duo, as Pittsburgh stands as one of 11 teams allowing less than 4.0 yards per carry on the season.

Regardless, look for the Bengals to try and get Hill going north-south and Bernard every which way to keep Big Ben on the sidelines.

Defensive Game Plan 

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Gap contain and blitz. 

Most consider the Bengals a better team than last year's iteration. It's a slightly concerning notion considering Pittsburgh swept Cincinnati last year with Big Ben throwing for more than 300 yards and at least two scores in both games, while Bell rushed for 185 yards and two scores in one of the contests.

Cincinnati didn't record a sack in either contest. 

All of the above has to change. Running backs haven't had a problem against the Bengals this year, who over-pursue and miss tackles at a consistent clip. Bell already has at least 62 yards in each of his five games this year and is capable of doing the inverse to Cincinnati and keeping Andy Dalton and Co. off the field.

At best, the Bengals have to hope they can force the Steelers into a one-dimensional passing attack. Unfortunately for the Bengals, Pittsburgh touts the league's fourth-best pass-blocking line at PFF.

The key, then, is pressure. While it's a small sample size, Big Ben is like any other quarterback when things collapse alongside a struggling pocket:

Pressure	Drop-backs	Com. %	Yds	TD	INT	Sk
No pressure	70	81.4	741	4	2	0
Plays under pressure	24	52.6	171	0	0	5
When not blitzed	69	76.5	766	4	1	1
When blitzed	25	71.4	146	0	1	4

Look for the Bengals to send plenty of pressure at a returning-from-injury Roethlisberger on Sunday, with the emphasis being disruption and actually bringing the big gunslinger down.

If the Bengals cannot win in the trenches, they cannot win the game.

Key Players and Matchups

Tyler Eifert

Tight ends have their way with the Steelers.

Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers posted 62 yards against the unit, an impressive tally all things considered. Rob Gronkowski posted a video game-esque three scores when the Steelers played the New England Patriots. San Diego Chargers' veteran Antonio Gates returned from a suspension to slap two scores on the board.

Now it's Eifert's turn. He's as dangerous as Davis and Gates and not far behind Gronk, and leads the Bengals with six scores. He's going to be a key component, especially in the red zone as the Bengals look to post seven points on each trip, not three. 

Jeremy Hill

On the road against a team like the Steelers, the Bengals must have a back like Hill bruising away well in a north-south, decisive manner.

Cincinnati has gone with the hot hand so far this season and has chosen to pass more than run, leading to more chances for Bernard, not Hill. But dancing in the backfield and fumbling issues near the start of the season have held Hill back, too.

Hill spoke with ESPN.com's Coley Harvey about turning things around:

"

I just have to break more tackles. I've been doing a good job with my assignments. It's just me going out there and making extraordinary plays. I know I'm capable of doing it. I just have to go out there and do it. I'm patient. I know what it takes to get it done. I've just got to keep pounding and keep working and it's going to happen eventually.

"

If there's a game the Bengals desperately need Hill to rediscover his form, it's this one. Nobody on the roster can do what he does between the tackles.

Adam Jones

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Adam Jones figures to stand as the main man responsible for helping contain Pittsburgh wideout Antonio Brown this weekend.

Brown's catch totals with Big Ben under center this year read like so: nine, nine and 11.

Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout mustered more than 100 receiving yards in both contests against the Bengals last year, so Jones will need to prevent such an occurrence once again.

He'll also have to help contain big-play threat Martavis Bryant, who has scored three times in just two games this year.

Bengals Offensive Line

While a broad-sweeping category, the importance of Andrew Whitworth and Co. Sunday cannot be understated.

Over at PFF, ends Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt rank as the third and 14th best 3-4 ends in the NFL, respectively. Both tout strong pass-rush and run grades, although the latter's status for the game remains up in the air.

Regardless, Cincinnati's line has to be ready for a war with two of the game's best run-stopping ends, and will have to be quick on their feet to keep Dalton upright.

Prediction

Pittsburgh isn't necessarily a measuring stick for the Bengals anymore, but it sure feels like it. 

The Bengals had a bye week before this one, while the Steelers have to once again work in a different quarterback under center. Old reliable Big Ben or not, timing and the construction of routes will change.

Look for the Bengals to come out with a run-first approach—almost to a fault—in an effort to control this one. They can so long as Hill runs in a decisive manner, and Dalton won't have too many issues hitting on a big play here and there against a shaky defense.

Look for a rejuvenated Hill and a few big plays from Eifert to make the difference.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Pittsburgh 23 

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of October 30. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.