Bengals Beat: Bengals ‘In The Right Mindset’ To Take Care Of Steelers, Focus Is Apparent Heading Into A ‘Playoff Game’ For Both

CINCINNATI — The message is clear for the Bengals this week. Do not even think about taking the Pittsburgh Steelers lightly.

And by all indications, they’re not.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo pronounced Tuesday’s walkthrough before the team had stepped on the field this week to get ready for the Steelers as the best he’s seen all season.

“I would hope, with our message to (the team),” Anarumo said, when asked if the team was told to not sleep on the Steelers. “We’re playing one of the storied franchises in the NFL. It’s a playoff game. We need the sense (of that). We just had one of our best walkthroughs we had all year in terms of guys locked in, communication, everything. And that was my message this morning very firmly. I don’t think there’s a person in this building that would ever take the Pittsburgh Steelers slightly.”

Yes, Mike Tomlin’s group has lost three straight since they hung on for a 16-10 win at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 26. Mitch Trubisky has been so bad that fans don’t want him on the field anymore. The shine from the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada has worn off. They have a star wide receiver in George Pickens who looks completely disinterested at times, especially when it comes to blocking.

They might be starting Mason Rudolph if Kenny Pickett isn’t cleared from concussion protocol. They have lost their top two safeties for this game, in the injured Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and the suspended Damontae Kazee.

But these are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who always seem to make like Methusaleh and hang around the playoff picture until the very end. And they know that any hope of extending their playoff bid lies in beating the Bengals Saturday at home before a home crowd that will be looking for one last hurrah for the season.

Mike Hilton knows better than most about the culture created by head coach Mike Tomlin. He was an undrafted free agent in 2016 out of Ole Miss. Hilton knows the intangible quality of the Steelers and how it translates to toughness on the field.

“There’s no quit in this team,” Hilton said. “Obviously, it starts with the head coach obviously coach Tomlin and his whole career, he’s just been a winner and he puts that throughout through his whole team. So we know they’re going to come prepared to fight with their playoff lives on the line. So they’re they’re going to give everything they got and we just got the message.”

Indeed, these are desperate times for the Steelers and the Bengals will go into Acrisure Stadium with their eyes wide open. The Steelers have lost three straight, including two humiliating defeats at home to Arizona and New England back-to-back.

“I think we continue to improve week-to-week and there are some things we need to get better at,” Zac Taylor said. “I think the team is in the right mindset right now. We know it’s going to be a tough battle going on the road – 4:30, Pittsburgh – always a big challenge for us, these divisional games. Pittsburgh is a really good football team. I know they’ve lost the last couple, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not in for a big time fight. Our guys are going to be prepared for that.

“I think it’s been the same attitude we’ve had. There’s nothing more expected from our guys. Their approach has been really good these last couple of weeks and we have to continue that with the same mindset.”

The biggest help for Jake Browning this week could be his experience from Nov. 26. In his first NFL start, the Bengals quarterback struggled to find any rhythm as he admittedly was just trying to make sure he was getting the calls straight and communicating protections effectively and then thinking about playing freely. As a result, he was 0-for-4 on third down in the first half and 2-for-10 in the game. The Bengals amassed just 222 yards of total offense.

“I think it’s helpful. They’ve got a great defense. There are a lot of challenges that come with playing against these guys,” Taylor said. “They’ve got really high end talent, guys that have been playing at a high level for a really long time. A lot of guys who have been to the Pro Bowl. It’s always a difficult challenge when you’re playing these guys, so it’s good for Jake to have been through that one time. He’s got some more games under his belt, some more experience, but we know it’s going to be an enormous challenge when we take the field.”

T.J. Watt had two sacks, Cam Heyward had another and life was generally miserable for Browning.

“I don’t know if there is any specific thing,” Browning said. “Any AFC North game, the records don’t matter, the momentum maybe one team has some momentum one team doesn’t. It does not matter. It is a tough, bloody fight really. It doesn’t really matter what momentum is either way. I have seen that happen multiple times. Even with other teams when we are not involved. One team goes on a hot run and they go play at some team that maybe is not on a hot run and it is a 14-17 loss for the team that was hot. The momentum does not matter in these games we’ve played so many times our scheme versus their scheme, episode 20 of those teams going at it. Throw the records out the window a little bit.

Now with three wins under his belt, it’s more about just going out and making the best play he can on each snap. That’s a quantum leap.

Ja’Marr Chase day-to-day:

Call it gamesmanship. Call it just playing it close to the vest. Call it hopeful wishing. Zac Taylor isn’t giving up on Ja’Marr Chase playing this Saturday, despite reports that the star receiver is out this week with a separated shoulder and could be out longer.

“We’ll just take it day-to-day with Ja’Marr,” Taylor said. “We’ll just find out after (Tuesday).”

Could he play Saturday in Pittsburgh?

“We’ll see as the week goes,” Taylor said.

Filling in:

As the Bengals have done in the past, they will call upon their reserves in the receiving room to pick up the slack. As is the case with DJ Reader on the defensive side of the ball, it will likely take multiple players to pick up Chase’s production. There’s Trenton Irwin, who was big last year in games against New England and Tampa Bay. He was big this season when Higgins was unavailable against Arizona and the team struggling at 1-3. He had eight catches for 60 yards in the 34-20 win over the Cardinals. Then there’s rookies Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones, both of whom could be called upon to fill bigger roles. But the sense is that Irwin will get the bulk of the snaps if Chase is out.

“Lately, my job’s been just know everything,” Irwin said. “I can play inside, I can play outside. I think I’m big enough to play both inside outside, fast enough to go outside. So, I guess just a unique combination to be able to win in whatever condition there.

“It’s exciting. It’s exciting. I do my job in whatever week and maybe to help the team win. Sometimes that’s some special team stuff. Sometimes that’s some blocks. Sometimes being a receiver. And so part of the reason I’m here is because of the receiver I am, and so I’m excited to go to have more opportunities.”

Moving on:

Jake Browning saw his reaction to beating the Vikings and he would rather not put the spotlight on himself anymore. Instead, he’d prefer to talk about the number of big plays made by his teammates and the defense that gave him a chance to win the game.

“I’ve seen it. I fully lost my mind,” Browning admitted. “I think my one regret with that was you go watch the film, it’s never as good, never as bad as you thought. And, we played unbelievable at a lot of positions that weren’t quarterback, and so, just to rattle off a few: I threw a pick in minus territory in the (third) quarter, that turns into three points. That’s losing the game type of play if our defense doesn’t step up.

“Lose DJ Reader, who is an All-Pro level nose guard, in the first quarter and then we stuff them on third-and-short, fourth-and-inches. That’s another one we lose the game, if they don’t do that. And then I throw the ball up to Tee and he makes one of the craziest plays I’ve ever seen. And then I have an authentic reaction to — you know, you keep it all pent up and then it comes out — but I guess my biggest regret was that game turned into like my revenge game, when in reality there were so many things that went into getting that win. Making sure it’s acknowledged it wasn’t just my revenge game, it was a great team win.”

Cold-hearted:

On a stroll past reporters on a 30-degree day on the practice field Tuesday, Mike Hilton observed the reporters gathered to watch practice, bundled in hats and gloves and heavy coats. In his shirt and cutoff short game pants, Hilton laughed.

“Take that s*** off. It ain’t that cold,” Hilton scolded with a laugh.

Told he had something around his neck, Hilton replied, “It’s a cut-out turtleneck. I’m locked in.”