Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Faces Troubling Prediction From Aqib Talib Before Bengals Showdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2, riding a four-game winning streak and fresh off a bye. Two of the loudest voices in sports media still are not buying them on Sunday night. Former Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib and Skip Bayless both picked the Cincinnati Bengals to win the first-place showdown at Paycor Stadium. Talib's reasoning puts the spotlight squarely on Aaron Rodgers.

The two made their picks on Gridiron's Week 10 preview show. Talib gave the Steelers credit for their defense and called Jaylen Warren an Offensive Player of the Year candidate. He still thinks the Bengals' pass rush will be the difference.

"I think they get [to] A-Rod three, four times, man. Maybe create a turnover late in that game. Burrow finish it off. I'm gonna say a 27-20 Bengals win," Talib said.

Talib added that he expects Cincinnati to hold Pittsburgh to 20 points, pointing out that the Steelers do not score 30 a game. He also said he likes good AFC North teams to split their season series, and that the Bengals will play with a chip on their shoulder after losing the first meeting.

Talib did not dismiss Pittsburgh, though. He said the Steelers' defense ranks sixth in total defense and fourth in scoring defense, and he called the game a perfect matchup of a top offense against a top defense. He also named it his game of the week because of the prime-time stage and first place in the division on the line.

Bayless went even further. He recalled how Cincinnati drove into field goal range late in Week 3 before Derrick Harmon stripped Joe Burrow to seal the game, and he expects a different ending this time.

"I think Joe will make the last play. I am with you because he knows he owes his team a last play, a deal closer," Bayless said.

Bayless flipped the score from the first game and picked the Bengals to win 30-27. He did give the Steelers some credit, saying they have impressed him and that it will be a battle. He also noted one thing working against Cincinnati: the Bengals are coming off an international game in Madrid, while the Steelers have had an extra week to rest.

The numbers from the first meeting show why both picks lean on Burrow. Bayless pointed out that Burrow threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in Week 3, while Rodgers threw for 292 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The difference was Warren, who ran for 127 yards and caught three passes for 49 more, along with two Bengals special teams mistakes.

Talib's sack prediction is the part that should worry Steelers fans most. Rodgers has been sacked 23 times in eight games this season, according to ESPN, and Pittsburgh's offense is built on getting the ball out quickly and leaning on the run. If the Bengals take an early lead and force Rodgers to throw, that formula gets much harder.

Talib and Bayless are not alone. SteelerNation covered how FOX's Nick Wright gave Rodgers a harsh reality check this week, and how another critic said the quarterback's age is limiting the offense.

The Steelers could also get help for their own pass rush. Pittsburgh activated Harmon from injured reserve Saturday, and SteelerNation covered the final decision on Harmon ahead of the game. Getting the man who ended the first meeting back on the field would give Pittsburgh another way to rattle Burrow.

Steelers Offense Has Something To Prove In Prime Time

The Bengals are 3.5-point favorites at home, and Burrow has Cincinnati scoring at least 31 points in each of its last four games. That puts pressure on a Steelers offense that has not had to win many shootouts this season. Getting Warren going early would keep Burrow on the sideline and take the Bengals' pass rush out of the game.

The Steelers have been doubted before, and they still left Week 3 with a 30-27 win. A season sweep on Sunday night would give Pittsburgh sole possession of first place in the AFC North, along with the tiebreaker, and it would prove Talib and Bayless wrong.

This story was produced with the help of AI and reviewed by SteelerNation editors.

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