The major Bengals storyline that could change everything in Week 11

The Cincinnati Bengals are a 3-6 football team in desperate need of a win, or more specifically, some rapid improvement from their defense to accomplish that objective. Sunday's showdown with the Steelers in Pittsburgh could be a big source of confidence. Although they beat the mighty Colts in Week 9, Mike Tomlin's bunch has gone 1-3 since a 4-1 start to render the AFC North wide-open, in the words of our beloved Joe Burrow. One of those Pittsburgh defeats includes a 33-31 loss to the Bengals in Week 7. However, Cincinnati's bid for a season sweep will require several unheralded defenders to step up. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday that rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart is headed to injured reserve with a knee injury. Superstar Trey Hendrickson was already ruled out due to a week-to-week hip issue. That makes an innately thin group of edge defenders even shallower. When 2024 sixth-round pick Cedric Johnson is the brightest beacon of hope, you know these are desperate times in the Queen City.