RB Chase Brown game-time decision and CIN still favored?

I guess if you think Tomlin is sitting the starters then I get it. Brown would be a significant loss not just running ball but as an above average pass catcher. Taylor should have just had Burrow kneel 3x last week and walk off with a short FG. Tomlin great record ATS as small dog. Looks like Porter is practicing in full. Hubbard isn't what he was last few years but is a loss for Cincinnati's already awful defense. Yes Steelers offense hasn't looked good at all last few weeks, but there has been a noticeable difference in PPG with Pickens starting with Wilson than without him in lineup. Chiefs defense is also significantly better than the Bengals. No bet from me just don't understand this line. We've also seen many times over the years the team "needing to win" week 18 choking. Burrow is one of the best he can't play defense too. RT Mims also is game-time decision now.

RBs do not move the line that much.  It is a pass-oriented league.

Henry or Barkley will be about the only big movers.

3-5 more RBs will it to a lesser extent.

Brown is very bad.  He is the 25th rated RB in the league.

He actually has a negative WAR -.2 this year.

He is rated 23rd as a receiving back with a .1 WAR.

That is why I say a great case can be made for Burrow as MVP.  He is doing far more with far less than any other QB.

He basically has a nonexistent running game.  Opponents know he has to throw and they still cannot stop him.

Bengals running game is ranked 26th in WAR -.3

Their PE/Play is also 26th at -.004.

So, I would not have expected the line to move really.

@mchriste619

The loss of RB Chase Brown is no doubt a major concern for the Bengals. He has run for 990 yards, 7 TDs, and 4.3 per run. Khalil Herbert is their #2 and he is serviceable. Burrow makes all of his skill position players better but he better get rid of that ball quickly as Watt, Highsmith, Heyward, and Herbig will be gunning for him. 

@Buffalobob89074

@Raiders22

Very good points by both of you! Cincinnati in week 13 had a 17 point lead early in the 4th quarter and Burrow was outplayed by Wilson that game, which was in Cincinnati. Burrow had 3 TOs and Wilson had 1. Brown had 100 combined yards. Trey Hendrickson is fantastic but can only do so much. Looks like Steelers maybe finally realize Warren is better than Najee as well. Also would you trust Chris Boswell or Cade York more? No McPherson this time.

Rooting for Bengals as would love to see Burrow back in playoffs but don't see it. Good luck on your plays if you make any this weekend. 

Yes, it is a concern just because he is the starter and Moss the original backup is injured.

It does take 'some' pressure off of Burrow.

My point was mainly that their running game is very inefficient and Brown is as well.

That is why it should not move the line at all.  They simply cannot rely on him in 'pressure' situations.

They might as well just have Burrow throw every down and use screens and check downs as 'version' of running.

But if Brown is out, maybe Herbert can be okay -- because at lkeats he is rested and healthy and is probably even an upgrade of sorts.

Let me point this out as well.

On 1st and 10:

Brown is 14th with a WAR of .3

Robinson is 1st with a WAR of .6

Henry is 2nd with a WAR of .6

Brown’s PE/Play is .086

Walker PE/Play is .174

However, on 2nd and 3rd with 4 or less yards to go:

Brown WAR is -.1

Gibbs’ WAR is .3

Brown’s PE/Play is -.058

Gibbs’ PE/Play is .327

@mchriste619

 I really like Burrow and wanted him to make a run this year also.

But I just feel with their weaknesses on defense and the running game that depending solely on Burrow is not going to work.

I understand letting Mixon go.  But, it looks questionable right now.

Look at just last week when they had crucial drops.  They cannot have that part of the game fail at all in the playoffs (and this game is a playoff game for them).  Burrow has to be elite and the WRs have to be elite.

But Tomlin at home as an underdog is hard to go against.  

I just wonder about their mindset if Baltimore wins and the Steelers cannot win the division.

I wish these games were played at the same time.

Kris Simms said that in the back of their minds, the Steeler players will be thinking that they are already in. Of course he picked the Bengals so. If the winds would pickup that would really hurt the Bengals offense, so not sure about the wind but it will be colder than a well digger's a$$.