Bengals hope to end woes against Steelers
Pittsburgh has dominated matchup of AFC North rivals.
After a week off, the Cincinnati Bengals play the Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Here are five things Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to say on a conference call this week:
1. Tomlin won’t have any special instruction for his team about managing their emotions heading into a rivalry game.
“It’s really not necessary. We’re hunting the same things. They know that,” Tomlin said.
The Bengals have lost their past three against the Steelers and the past nine times the teams have played in October.
“I just think the natural evolution of us and them as teams and what we’re hunting and NFL scheduling just kind of brings things together. It’s not something that has to be artificially stimulated. It is what it is.”
2. He is happy to have Joe Haden on his side now.
Pittsburgh signed the veteran cornerback after he was released by the Browns, and so far the arrangement is working out for the Steelers.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air,” Tomlin said. “The play is something we’re all familiar with being in the AFC North. What you don’t see on a day-to-day basis is he’s been a really good teammate and hard worker.”
Haden has three passes defended but is still looking for his first interception as a Steeler.
“We’re glad we have him,” said Tomlin.
3. Tomlin doesn’t think the Steelers defense is any faster than last year.
The coach dispelled a commonly held notion about his team, which has gone through some significant personnel changes in recent seasons.
“Really it’s essentially the same group,” he said. “I just think there’s an appearance they’re playing faster because probably they have more experience, they have a better understanding of how it fits into the big picture. That allows you to hustle and play free. That’s probably what you’re recognizing.”
4. Cameron Heyward has grown as a leader.
The Steelers certainly had high hopes for the defensive lineman when they drafted him out of Ohio State, and he is living up to them on and off the field.
“I think the elevation and the maturation of his play has been a natural thing over the course of his time,” Tomlin said. “I think in recent years he’s done an awesome job of embracing the leadership role.”
Heyward is third on the team with 20 tackles, includ- ing three sacks. He also has seven quarterback pressures.
“He’s an elected captain and the unquestioned leader of the group. He wears it in a very natural way and uses those influences for good. He challenges guys, he encour- ages guys. It’s a very natural thing for him. I imagine he’s been a captain on every team he’s ever been on.”
5. Ben Roethlisberger is the ultimate competitor.
The quarterback from Miami University has endured some ups and downs this season, but his coach remains in his corner:
“He’s the ultimate competitor. That makes him really fun to be around. This guy loves to compete, whether it’s in stadiums or on the practice field, in football or anything else.”
Roethlisberger, who pub- licly mused about retirement in the offseason, followed up a five-interception game against Jacksonville on Oct. 8 by throwing for 252 yards and a touchdown with an interception last week as the Steelers knocked off the previously unbeaten Chiefs.
“He’s an emotional guy, sometimes he makes statements you guys run with, but I’ve worked with Ben for 11 years now,” Tomlin said. “I know and understand him and obviously happy to be a partner of his.”
The Findlay native’s 78.2 quarterback rating is among the worst in the league at this stage in the season and far below his career mark of 93.5.
CB Jones doubtful
Bengals cornerback Adam Jones missed his second con- secutive practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
Jones suffered a back injury in the Oct. 8 win against Buffalo. He did rehab work on the side field Monday in the first practice after the bye but was limited Wednesday before being shut down.
That means William Jack- son is likely to get the start against the Steelers and the NFL leader in receptions and receiving yards in Antonio Brown, with Darqueze Den- nard handling the slot duties.
Rookie wide receiver John Ross and safety Derron Smith are listed as questionable. Ross, who injured his left knee in the preseason finale at Indianapolis, was a full participant in Friday’s walkthrough after being limited Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Monday marked the first time he had practiced since re-aggravating the knee injury in the Week 2 loss to Houston.
Smith has been out since suffering an ankle injury in practice Sept. 20.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd (knee) and H-back Ryan Hewitt (knee) are out for the Steelers game. Boyd injured his knee in the win against Buffalo, while Hewitt has been since absorbing a low hit in the Cleveland win Oct. 1.