Bengals face big hurdle in Steelers Bengals at Steelers
Roethlisberger set to return after quarantine
PITTSBURGH — Cam Heyward can't figure out how the math works. The Pittsburgh Steelers keep winning games, and yet the veteran defensive tackle from Ohio State keeps hearing noise about how unimpressively the NFL'S last unbeaten team is doing it.
"They hate us because they ain't us," Heyward said. "If it doesn't look pretty, who cares? We're 8-0. It's our job to keep stepping up week in and week out, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard than everybody else. For all the guys looking, and saying `It's got to look like this,' one thing I can say is the Super Bowl winner hasn't been determined."
No, but the Steelers have forcefully inserted themselves into the conversation by seemingly finding a different way to win each week. Some weeks, the defense is dominant. Others, the offense bails them out. Sometimes, the opponent self-destructs.
Now comes a new wrinkle: the possibility of facing Cincinnati without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger and three teammates — linebacker Vince Williams, backup running back Jaylen Samuels and reserve offensive lineman Jerald Hawkes — spent the week in self-quarantine after tight end Vance Mcdonald tested positive for COVID-19.
While the Steelers are confident
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. today TV: Ch. 28
Roethlisberger and Williams can play despite spending the week away from the team's training facility, they're also well aware uncertainty is just one COVID-19 test away.
"Just stay light on your feet," Heyward said. "I knew every team would be affected by this. I didn't know how. We're all adapting."
The Bengals, meanwhile, are evolving under second-year coach Zac Taylor and rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati is coming off a 31-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago, their best all-around performance during Taylor's tenure. And while there's a chance Pittsburgh might be short-handed, it typically hasn't mattered who's in uniform on either side lately. The Steelers have won each of the past 10 meetings and 13 out of the past 14.
Still, as the weeks pass and a "0" remains in the loss column, the Steelers are aware that the target on their back will keep getting bigger. Cincinnati sees no reason not to aim for the bull's-eye.
"They come in undefeated, coming off a tough win against Dallas, and why not us?" Bengals safety Vonn Bell said. "Why not make the play? Everyone is
going to doubt us and put our backs against the wall, but when it's your chance to make that play, go up there when your number is called. Go hit it out of the park."
While Roethlisberger spent the week participating in meetings virtually and hitting up offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner via text to stay plugged in to the game plan, Mason Rudolph and Josh
Dobbs shared practice snaps with the first team.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin played coy when asked who might start if Roethlisberger is unable to go, though the edge would seem to go to Rudolph, who went 5-3 as a starter last season after Roethlisberger went down with a right elbow injury in Week 2.