The Steelers didn’t have time to enjoy the victory over the Ravens due to the short week. Thanks to the mini-bye, they now have an opportunity to learn from the brain freeze suffered in the Cleveland snow storm by players and coaches alike. Clock management, play calling, execution…there is no shortage of learning tape from that game. If the Steelers never play another Thursday night road game against the Browns, it will still be too soon.

On to Cincinnati. That team is coming off a full bye week, yet they are dealing with some injuries that could impact the game. Unfortunately, the Steelers never seem to be able to take advantage of a team being short handed at a position group or unit. Perhaps with the few extra days of preparation, they can reverse that trend. Despite the record, this Bengals team is dangerous, and it will be no easy task to get a win on a second consecutive division road game.

OT Orlando Brown Jr is dealing with a leg injury that kept him out of the Chargers game. Tackle Cody Ford is slotted as his backup if he can’t go. If Alex Highsmith is back, can he draw a double-team to help free up T.J. on the other side? Getting in Joe Burrow’s grill consistently will be crucial to the Steelers getting a win this weekend. The back end of the defense will need all the help it can get against this passing attack.

DT Sheldon Rankins has a viral illness, and his status is questionable early in the week. B.J. Hill will get the majority of the work if Sheldon can’t go. He has thirteen tackles this season and has provided solid play. After the rough outing the Steelers O-line had in Cleveland, they need to re-establish their physicality this week, no matter who is in front of them.

Cornerback DJ Turner is definitely out after undergoing surgery to repair his collarbone, so fifth round rookie Josh Newton will get his first start. He did well coming off the bench against the Chargers, playing tight coverages and getting an impressive stop in a two-minute situation by breaking up an over route while in cover 1. At 5’11 and 190 lbs., can the Steelers scheme some routes with their bigger pass catchers to test the rookie?

The Bengals are in win or go home mode now and will not be an easy out. No one in the AFC wants to see them get into the playoffs, where having Burrow always means they are a threat. A Steelers victory would go a long way in keeping that from happening, but they will need to exploit every advantage they have to get the job done. Unlike last week, both teams have extra days to prepare this time. Last week there were hard lessons to be learned by the Steelers coaching staff. Now we wait to see if the remedial test grades are any better. December football means there are no “wake up” games left, and that goes for the coaches as much as the players.