Bengals tired of Steelers’ mastery
It’s been nearly four years since the Cincinnati Bengals have beaten their NFL archrivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Eight losses in a row since November 2015. And 11 losses in the Bengals’ last 12 against the Steelers since December 2013.
They’re tired of the losing — against Pittsburgh and this season in general.
First-year Bengals head coach Zac Taylor sure could use a victory Monday night, when this AFC North rivalry resumes at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field.
Taylor’s team is 0-3, despite coming close to winning at Seattle in Week 1 (21-20) and at Buffalo in Week 3 (21-17). At this point he, his team and Bengals fans would take a win against any team.
If the first of 2019 were to come against hated Pittsburgh, all the better.
“I know (we’ve) had some close battles the last couple of years,” Taylor said. “It’s certainly one of the great rivalries in the NFL. This division has always been a hard-nosed, tough division ... It will be a hard-nosed battle, it will be in prime time and the players and coaches will be all amped up.”
Many of Taylor’s players who have experienced part or all of the losing streak to the Steelers sounded motivated this week to flip that narrative.
“It’s been a long time since we beat those guys,” second-year Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard said. “I want this game so bad. I think a lot of guys in this locker-room want that game so bad. We’re not focusing on the records. We want to win this game. That’s the end of the story.”
Cincinnati has lost five straight games overall dating to last season. Although every team’s coaches and players talk about trying to find consistency, that’s particularly applicable for the Bengals this season.
For 21/2 quarters Sept. 22 in Buffalo, quarterback Andy Dalton and the Bengals offence were absolutely flatlining. Dead as Caesar. A Buffalo turnover, however, served as instant defibrillation as the Bengals actually took a late lead before quarterback Josh Allen drove the Bills the length of the field to win it.
If the Bengals offence had done almost anything in the first half, Cincinnati probably would have won.
“We’ve got to have the consistency to play a complete game and we haven’t done that yet,” Dalton said.
The Steelers, meantime, will start quarterback Mason Rudolph at home for the first time. He’s replacing Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered a serious elbow injury in Week 2 and is done for the season.