Steelers insider reveals what Bengals need to prioritize in stopping Aaron Rodgers' passing attack

There hasn't been a Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game quite like this.

Pittsburgh is coming into Cincinnati for a Thursday night game. It's the first time the Bengals are hosting their Ohio River rivals on "Thursday Night Football," and the third-ever TNF meeting between the two clubs. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco's combined age of 81 years makes this the third-ever quarterback matchup between two passers who are at least 40 years old.

Oh, and if Cincinnati doesn't win as 5.5-point underdogs, Pittsburgh moves to 3.5 games ahead of them in the division entering late October. I suppose that's pretty standard when looking at the last three decades, but nonetheless, Thursday night has intrigue and importance.

Let's dive into both aspects with A to Z Sports Pittsburgh's Rob Gregson, who took some questions and gave his prediction for the game.

JS: We knew at least one quarterback over the age of 40 was going to play in this game when the schedule was announced back in May. What’s the skinny on Aaron Rodgers in a Steelers uniform?

RG: Outside of his debut, the numbers from Aaron Rodgers won't blow you away. He's averaging a little over 200 yards passing and two touchdowns a game. But the efficiency with which Rodgers is playing has been remarkable. Rodgers currently has the highest completion percentage of his career through five games at 68.8 percent, and there is an easy button nature to the offense that has been missing since Big Ben. The offense is far from the greatest show on turf, but they rank high in EPA per play, and that's due to Rodgers.

JS: Steelers tight ends have typically been Cincinnati’s worst nightmares in the passing game. Now there’s Darnell Washington heating up a bit in the passing game. Is he becoming one of Rodgers’ top targets, or is just D.K. Metcalf and the rest?

RG: You know this is a great question because, as much as I would like to say the last couple of games point to a diverse passing attack beginning to emerge, I still think it's Metcalf or bust right now. Need a big play on third down? Metcalf. Need a shot downfield? Metcalf. Need yards after the catch? Metcalf. It's why the Steelers are rumored to be shopping for another playmaker, and it could be why the Bengals upset them on Thursday night.

JS: Ja’Marr Chase seemed excited when Jalen Ramsey was traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason. How’s he settled in with his role, and should we expect one-on-one matchups with Cincy’s No. 1 target?

RG: It's funny you ask, because Darius Slay said on Tuesday that Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. tend to argue over who gets the opposing team's WR No.1. Based on what we have seen from Ramsey thus far, I would say don't expect a ton of him on Chase. He's been more of a Swiss Army Knife. But with Slay a little hobbled, I think we'll see Ramsey on Chase and Porter Jr. on Higgins in obvious passing situations.

Final score prediction

RG: I think the Steelers prove they are for real under Aaron Rodgers and rewrite what has been an awful history on Thursday night. 30-25 Steelers win in a shootout.