PITTSBURGH — The Bengals have spent the first two weeks of the season doing something that has eluded them for much of the Zac Taylor era: winning games in September.

Now comes the first AFC North test.

Cincinnati heads to Acrisure Stadium Sunday with a 2-0 record following a 20-6 road victory over Houston. Pittsburgh enters at 1-1 after beating Atlanta in its opener before managing only three points in a loss to New England.

The early returns have been particularly encouraging for Cincinnati's defense. Under defensive coordinator Al Golden, the Bengals have eight sacks through two games, tied for the NFL lead, and have allowed only 74.5 rushing yards per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has failed to reach 300 yards of offense in either of its first two games and is averaging only 11.5 points.

Aaron Rodgers has seen enough football to recognize pressure before it arrives, but Cincinnati's defensive front has given opposing quarterbacks plenty to worry about anyway. If Dexter Lawrence II and the Bengals' edge rushers can continue disrupting the pocket, Pittsburgh could struggle to sustain drives.

Cincinnati's offense has its own problem to solve after Joe Burrow was sacked five times and hit another 10 against Houston. The Steelers remain dangerous up front, making the performance of Cincinnati's offensive line and its ability to establish Chase Brown potentially decisive.

Players to Watch

• Orlando Brown Jr. — Brown had more than a few difficult moments against Will Anderson Jr. and Houston's pass rush last week. He was credited with allowing four pressures, three of which became sacks, as Cincinnati repeatedly needed to give him additional help. There is little relief coming Sunday against a Pittsburgh front featuring T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward. Amarius Mims has been outstanding on the opposite side, which could give Cincinnati the flexibility to provide Brown extra assistance when needed. Either way, Brown must be considerably better if Burrow is going to remain comfortable.

• Chase Brown — Cincinnati does not need Brown to dominate the game, but a productive rushing attack would make life substantially easier on the road. Brown carried 20 times for 80 yards against Houston, including 45 yards on nine attempts up the middle. Consistent gains on early downs would prevent Pittsburgh's pass rush from simply attacking Burrow and would help Cincinnati control both the tempo and the crowd. In a division game on the road, 100 rushing yards from Brown and the Bengals would go a long way toward bringing home a victory.

• Bengals Linebackers — Houston tight end Dalton Schultz caught 12 passes for 140 yards last week, repeatedly finding space against Cincinnati's coverage. That makes Demetrius Knight Jr., Barrett Carter and the rest of the linebacker group worth watching against a Pittsburgh offense capable of leaning heavily on its tight ends. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington give Rodgers two large targets, and Washington hurt Cincinnati in last year's second meeting with four catches for a career-high 67 yards. After Schultz's performance in Houston, Pittsburgh has every reason to test the Bengals in the same area.

Game Information

Notes

• Cincinnati is 2-0 for the second consecutive season and opens AFC North play Sunday.

• The Bengals have eight sacks through two games, tied for the NFL lead.

• Pittsburgh has scored 23 points through two games and has failed to reach 300 total yards in either game.

• Andrei Iosivas is out Sunday with a thumb injury, while B.J. Hill is doubtful with an Achilles injury.

• Pittsburgh running back Rico Dowdle and guard Gennings Dunker have been ruled out. Michael Pittman Jr., Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean and Jaylen Warren are questionable.

• The Bengals will wear white jerseys, black pants and white socks.

Prediction

Pittsburgh still has enough defensive talent to make Sunday uncomfortable. Watt and the Steelers' front will test an offensive line that struggled in Houston, and Brown cannot afford another afternoon in which pressure consistently arrives from Burrow's blind side.

But the Bengals appear to have something they have lacked for several years: a defense capable of carrying its share of the weight.

Cincinnati should make life miserable for Rodgers. The Bengals' defensive front has been disruptive through two weeks, while Pittsburgh has struggled to consistently move the football. If Chase Brown gives the offense enough balance to keep the Steelers from simply attacking Burrow every snap, Cincinnati should have more than enough offense to complement another strong defensive performance.

Today, the early-season momentum continues for the men in stripes. Cincinnati's defensive front harasses Rodgers throughout the afternoon, the offense does its part and the Bengals leave Pittsburgh with a convincing division victory.

Final Score: Cincinnati 27, Pittsburgh 13