![](https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2023/11/1750894793-1.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Despite all the problems with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, the team is still playing meaningful football late in the season and that’s more than many teams can say. The players and coaches are trying to focus on winning Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and shutting out all the noise. Here are our keys to victory this week.
Run the ball early and often
![](https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2023/12/1860696153.jpg)
I absolutely agree with former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher when he says the team must get back to running the football and it has to involve Mason Rudolph under center. Use the run to set up play action which Rudolph does well.
Win on possession downs at the line of scrimmage
![](https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2023/11/USATSI_21893522.jpg)
You hear head coach Mike Tomlin preach this in every press conference but the players just don’t seem to get it. Getting off the field on third down and sustaining drives by converting third downs is easily one of the biggest shortcomings of this team.
No unforced errors
![](https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2023/12/USATSI_22059801.jpg)
The last thing a team like the Steelers need are turnovers and penalties. Both are often a function of player discipline and effort and Pittsburgh is minus both.