• Joe Burrow · Cincinnati Bengals
• Aaron Rodgers · Pittsburgh Steelers

Look for: After each snap, watch whether the quarterback protects the ball when pressured and whether runners keep it secured as defenders arrive.

If you see it: If Cincinnati continues ending possessions with kicks while Pittsburgh gives away another interception or fumble, the Bengals will gain extra scoring chances without needing long drives.

Here's what it means: The team avoiding giveaways is controlling not just possession count but also how far the opponent must travel to score.

Look for: On first and second down, note whether Chase Brown, Jaylen Warren or Pittsburgh's other backs are getting several yards before first contact rather than meeting defenders near the handoff.

If you see it: If one offense repeatedly reaches short second and third downs, its quarterback can use either a run or a pass instead of facing obvious passing situations.

Here's what it means: Consistent early-down gains let that offense choose how to attack; repeated short runs invite the opposing pass rush to focus on the quarterback later in the series.

Cincinnati Bengals · Quarterback (QB)

Burrow completed 20 of 31 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in Week 2. His ability to get the ball to Chase and Higgins before Pittsburgh's rush arrives is a central matchup.

Cincinnati Bengals · Wide Receiver (WR)

Chase turned nine targets into seven catches, 75 yards and both Cincinnati touchdowns last week. Watch for Burrow to find him when the field gets shorter near the end zone.

Cincinnati Bengals · Wide Receiver (WR)

Higgins drew 10 targets and gained 95 yards on five catches in Week 2. That production gives Pittsburgh another major coverage problem beyond Chase.

Pittsburgh Steelers · Quarterback (QB)

Rodgers threw for 187 yards with no touchdowns and one interception on 39 attempts against New England. Pittsburgh needs more production from that volume, especially when targeting DK Metcalf.

Pittsburgh Steelers · Linebacker (LB)

Watt recorded 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits last week. Along with Alex Highsmith, who added a sack and three hits, he gives Pittsburgh a direct way to make Burrow release the ball early.

Cincinnati Bengals · Cornerback (CB)

Hill recorded 10 tackles and four passes defended in Week 2. His activity at the catch point matters against a Pittsburgh passing game trying to turn frequent attempts into larger gains.

The Bengals have paired a 2-0 record with a turnover-free Week 2 performance. Maintaining that ball security against Pittsburgh's pressure would preserve the formula that worked against Houston.

The Steelers are trying to rebound from a game with no touchdowns and two giveaways. A more productive connection between Rodgers and a receiving group led by Metcalf would materially change what Cincinnati must defend.

Allen's knee-related absence from practice matters to Cincinnati's interior pressure options, while Pittsburgh's backfield and cornerback practice reports may affect its offensive rotation and coverage assignments. The game-day participation of those players is worth checking.

Cincinnati's receiving production was split between Higgins' yardage and Chase's touchdowns last week; which problem should Pittsburgh prioritize?

Watt and Highsmith combined for five quarterback hits in Week 2. Can they reach Burrow before his top two receivers separate?

Pittsburgh threw 39 passes but finished with only 187 passing yards against New England. Watch whether Metcalf's targets produce more yardage this time.

Dax Hill defended four passes last week, more than any other Cincinnati defender in the supplied evidence. His work around Pittsburgh's receivers could be an early indicator of whether Rodgers is finding open windows.