Any way possible: For the second straight week the Steelers will face an AFC North foe with the starting quarterback ruled out.
This week it will be Jake Browning who will make his first NFL start, seeing action with Bengals starter Joe Burrow dealing with a wrist injury.
Last week it was a similar situation in Cleveland, with rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting, and the Browns utilized a quick passing game.
This week, the defense expects the same from the Bengals and have to combat it.
“Get your hands up,” said linebacker T.J. Watt. “Still trying to get after the quarterback any way we possibly can. All we can do is really trust the guys on the back end to try to make him hold the ball, pump fake. Do whatever to get him to hold the ball just for a split second longer, hopefully we can get to him.
“Otherwise, just being able to shut it down. One batted pass is basically equivalent to a tackle for no gain. We have to find ways to impact the game if teams are going to continue to try and do this to us.”
Linebacker Alex Highsmith doesn’t see the Bengals switching up what they do best, but also knows they have to be prepared.
“I see them really sticking to their playbook,” said Highsmith. “He really knows the system. He’s played in it. I could see them coming out and doing what they usually do with a little bit of tweaks and stuff like that. No matter what they do, we’ve got to be prepared and be ready to stop them.”
Like Highsmith said, Browning isn’t a stranger to the Bengals system, spending the 2021 and 2022 seasons on the team’s practice squad. He also spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
“The quarterback that they have in place has been there, in the system, has been in the NFL for quite some time,” said Watt. “He’s a smart guy. So, there’s going to be a lot of challenges. He’s still going to be able to throw the ball.
Just like every other week they’re going to want to establish the run. If we don’t stop the run early in the game, he’s going to continue to try to do it. That’s always a challenge.”
The Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in another tough AFC North matchup. The Bengals are giving their take on the game, including talking about Larry Ogunjobi, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt.
For receiver Calvin Austin III, the change at offensive coordinator has meant one thing, business as usual.
“It’s business as normal,” said Austin of the change. “It’s about our approach. No matter what the circumstances, control what you can control.
“There is a little buzz and energy you can feel among the players. I am just excited to go out there and prove the people we have inside this building are all we need to be successful.
“We just want to play for each other and the people in the building.”
Austin doesn’t know think the players need to put any more pressure on themselves, knowing the coaches will do nothing but put them in the best positions necessary.
“We trust in each other, and we trust the coaches are going to put us in the best position to succeed,” said Austin. “I don’t think anybody needs to do anything different, extra. Just be themselves.
“We have the people and talent to win. It’s just about focusing on their craft and detail and when we come together, we can all be on the same page.”
All last week, linebacker Mykal Walker talked about his excitement to get back on the field after not playing at all this season.
Walker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons (2020-22) with the Falcons, playing in 49 games, with 20 starts.
Walker recorded 187 tackles over his three years in Atlanta, 89 of them solo stops. He added 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, one sack and one fumble recovery.
But he was unsigned this year, so when he finally got his opportunity to play against the Browns on Sunday, the feeling was exactly what he was waiting for.
“It was incredible,” said Walker. “You never take this for granted. I never take this for granted. It was something. I am blessed to have this situation. It felt really good. Just knock the rust off and be out there with these guys, see how they play, what the energy is like.”
Walker was originally signed to the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 30 and activated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Nov. 20, starting against the Browns.
“There were little butterflies, a little rust,” said Walker. “As the game went on, I got the flow and was able to play better.
“It’s the same butterflies you get when you are playing Pop Warner, high school football. It’s all the excitement building up. It was incredible.”
Walker wasted no time watching game film, going over it multiple times on Monday morning.
“I did my job a lot. Just little plays here and there I know that I can make that I didn’t make,” said Walker. “It’s all about getting with the coaching staff and having them help me out and find more ways to get me involved.
“That is what it is. Just seeing how the other guys play and get a feel for the game. We held them to less than 100, so we played well.
We didn’t do enough to win, but it’s something we can build on. Anytime you can hold a team like that, communication is good.But we have to eliminate the hiccups. We have a solid foundation.”
