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Steelers-Bengals: Live chat, updates and analysis
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
Good morning from Acrisure Stadium. Post your questions and Brian and I will answer them leading up to kickoff.
Lou
11:18
Is MVS active and playing?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
He will not be active. The Steelers elevated LB Mark Robinson and CB D'Shawn Jamison from the practice squad yesterday. MVS and Asante Samuel Jr were not elevated or signed to the 53 so neither is eligible to play today.
Brian Batko
11:20
Hey everyone. Inactives will be out shortly. My guessed for this week are Will Howard (QB3), Isaac Seumalo (questionable with pec injury), Logan Lee, Brodric Martin, Alex Highsmith, Cole Holcomb, Darius Slay.
11:21
Actually Isaac Seumalo is out there in uniform pants warming up so he looks like he's good to go. Andrus Peat might be inactive then.
JPinPDX
11:29
Good morning Ray and Brian. What are your expectations for the D’s performance today against Joe, Chase and Tee?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:29
They're going to get their fair share of catches. The Steelers can help themselves by being closer and actually tackling them this game.
11:33
Inactives for today:
No. 18 QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
No. 23 CB Darius Slay
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
No. 71 G Andrus Peat
No. 78 DT Brodric Martin-Rhodes
No. 91 DL Logan Lee
JPinPDX
11:33
The secondary has been revamped since that last game. Will that mean more success?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:35
It means they're going to play it more conservative with their scheme. By moving Ramsey to free safety, along with the acquisition of Kyle Dugger, the Steelers are now playing a lot of two-high safety looks. That means more zone underneath instead of the man coverage we saw in the first matchup against the Bengals. The bottom line is they have to tackle better. Theoretically, this change will force the Bengals to drive the ball down the field more rather than hitting so many big plays as they did in the first meeting.
Seven
11:36
Since Seumalo is active shouldn't the Steelers get their heavy guys out there and run the ball until the wheels come off?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:37
I wouldn't mind seeing that. Everyone is assuming another high-scoring affair. The Steelers could pound the ball with Warren and try to control the clock. That could work if they score touchdowns, and it would limit the possessions for Flacco.
Yates
11:38
With 56 down does 50 get some   OLB snaps and Mark R some ILB snaps?  Did Steelers over pay 56 given how frequently he is injured?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:40
I doubt it. Harrison is now a big part of the rotation at ILB. I think you'll just see more snaps for Jack Sawyer and more for Herbig and Watt too. This is the third injury this season for Highsmith. He does have an injury history. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers approach their long-term team-building this winter with Herbig up for a new deal. I don't think they can pay big money to three OLBs. Maybe for one year you can do that, but eventually Highsmith is going to be the odd man out if they think Herbig is worth a second contract.
Brian Batko
11:40
Malik Harrison can probably play there in a pinch if needed but I'd assume it'll just be a three man rotation with TJ Watt, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer.
Spanky LaValier
11:41
Mount Washington will have a big day today, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:41
It's hard to predict which Steelers skills guys will be heavily involved from week to week, but Washington should get plenty of snaps today.
Lou
11:41
Ray, any practice indications that Warren will get the playing time he deserves?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:43
In listening to Arthur Smith on Thursday, I did not get the idea they would drastically alter their RB rotation. Tomlin also indicated the same. All Tomlin would say is Warren's touches will increase if they convert more third downs.
Yates
11:43
Lots of people said that the AR was forcing the ball to Metcalf the last game while guys were open on underneath routes.  Was there any specific player who was frequently open but AR was not going his way?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:44
On a few occasions yes, but I have no issues with Rodgers throwing on fourth down to Metcalf in the end zone. He was 1-on-1 with a corner. Your No. 1 receiver has to come down the ball in some of those situations.
JPinPDX
11:46
Thanks guys! Last thought and I’ll leave room for others. Working title for today’s game: “The Old Man and the B”?
Brian Batko
11:46
Who's the B?
Yates
11:50
Why have the Steelers been unable to get much out of Jonnu Smith?  Lots of people point to the first play miss against the Chargers as a
11:51
miss.  I am not sure any of our TEs make that catch even 80 % of the time. The fact that he almost caught the long overthrow warraa
Brian Batko
11:51
Funny you say that because Jonnu Smith is the only non-specialist Steeler on the field right now, stretching. I talked to him about his lack of production Friday. He didn't seem particularly frustrated. Veteran, team guy, has made plenty of money, but this is not how anyone envisioned Smith building off his season-best year in 2024 with Miami.
Yates
11:56
Which way is wind blowing and what did you see pre-game during Boz’s warm ups?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Both kickers just finished their warmups. Boz and the Bengals kicker hitting from long distance so no real issues with the field, at least for them.
Yates
12:05
Interested in your views of Arthur Smith.  During his stint in ATL some thought he did not get the most out of the offensive weapons he had. That narrative can be said for his time in PGH as well.  The narrative about offensive output seems to be focused as much on player usage as opposed to play calls.  How do you see it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
He's definitely not going to force the ball to anyone. He doesn't believe in that and his QB doesn't believe in that. I think everyone agrees he and the QB would be better if there was another quality WR in the mix, but that's not the case. So he's making due with what he has at his disposal.
Yancey Mills
12:22
sorry if i missed it, but prediction for today?
Brian Batko
12:22
I took the Steelers, 33-24, but certainly won't be surprised if they lose
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
My prediction: Steelers 24, Bengals 23
Yates
12:23
How many teams in the NFL have better # 3 and # 4 receivers than any Steelers WR not named Metcalf?   Was it ever a realistic plan to view the combo of Muth and Smith as the defacto WR2?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I should have included this in my earlier answer. The Steelers just don't have anyone who is capable of taking the heat off Metcalf. Teams continue to double him because the Steelers haven't showed a consistent ability to have others make plays.
Brian Batko
12:24
Will Howard in uniform for the first time today, wearing that No. 18 that he didn't get to pull on at all in preseason or while he was on IR to begin his rookie year.
Matt from Davidson NC
12:27
If Flacco out coaches Coach Collective Component again today, might Rooney & Khan finally realize it’s time for a replacement?
Brian Batko
12:28
OK, I kinda laughed at Coach Collective Component.
Joe Flacco won't be coaching, but I don't need to tell you guys the amount of vitriol that will rain down if the Steelers lose this game
Yates
12:29
Ray and Bats-  would like you both to share your opinions on this.  Assume all RBs are healthy and the game hangs in the balance with a minute remaining.  What % snaps would you give to 30 vs 14 vs 20?
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