Bengals 'count on' big production from Tyler Boyd against hometown Steelers

Clairton native and Pitt product Tyler Boyd will return home Monday night with the Bengals and play at Heinz Field for the first time since the second game of his rookie season in 2016. He was not active for the past two matchups in Pittsburgh.

Boyd leads the Bengals with 24 receptions and is second with 250 receiving yards. His seven third-down catches that have resulted in first downs are tied for second among NFL receivers.

“Tyler has been a guy we could count on,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “We feel like we have other weapons at our tight end group, receiver group, running back, to help on third down as well. As it’s happened, he’s been the target on most of them. We feel like we can isolate any receiver, and they can win a one-on-one.”

Boyd had 76 catches for 1,028 yards in 2018 with 58 percent of his receptions resulting in first downs or touchdowns. The Bengals rewarded Boyd with a four-year, $43 million contract extension.

Taylor is impressed by Boyd’s “competitiveness.”

“He really gets better as the game gets going,” Taylor said. “As you’re looking for a guy to make a play and if it’s tight coverage, you just think if you can get it in his radius, he can come down with the play. The number one trait we want from receivers is the ability to separate and having aggressive hands. He shows both of those traiits. He has a good football IQ. He understands the positions we’re trying to put him in and why we’re putting him in those positions.

“When he’s got those three things to his game, he’s a tough guy to stop.”

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