Steelers Blame Run Defense After Loss to Bengals

In an exciting NFL encounter, Ja’Marr Chase shone with 161 yards and 16 receptions, while Tee Higgins added 96 yards and a touchdown, in Joe Flacco’s second start in ten days. Despite these offensive achievements, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 33-31. After the game, the Steelers’ defensive players pointed out that the key to the defeat lay in their inability to stop the Bengals’ running game, who, despite having the worst running attack in the league, managed to accumulate 142 yards, almost doubling their previous best mark.

It’s not the secondary; that’s an excuse. I think the front line has to control the line of scrimmage better. I’m pissed. We didn’t do our job… they were the last ones running, and the way we allowed it today, that’s unacceptable.

Cameron Heyward

The loss reduced the Steelers’ lead over the Bengals at the top of the AFC North to 1.5 games, with a 0-7 record in Thursday night away games against division rivals under Mike Tomlin’s direction.

Although the Steelers managed to contain the Bengals’ running game in the first two series, building a 10-0 lead, Chase Brown unleashed the Bengals’ ground attack with a 27-yard run in the third series. Brown continued his outstanding performance with a 37-yard run in the next series, demonstrating the team’s ability to exploit the gaps created by the offensive line.

We simply weren’t doing what we’ve been doing. We weren’t being physical, we weren’t holding our space. Everyone has a job, and they have to stick to that job. Starting with me, I have to get better.

Patrick Queen

At halftime, Brown had already accumulated 74 rushing yards, surpassing his totals from the first six weeks of the season. The Bengals recorded 97 rushing yards in the first half, averaging 10.8 yards per carry.

In the first half, we let them run the ball too much. I think they had about 100 yards on the ground in the first half, and then we turned the ball over a couple of times. So that just set a negative trajectory, and we fought uphill the rest of the way.

Mike Tomlin

The Steelers’ poor run defense was particularly concerning, especially after the improvements observed in the previous two games. After allowing more than 100 rushing yards in their first three games, the Steelers had managed to limit the Vikings and Browns to under 100 yards and averages of 3.5 and 3.8 yards per carry, respectively. The Steelers’ inability to force turnovers exacerbated the defensive problems. For the second week in a row, they failed to generate one.

We’ve prided ourselves on getting that impact, and I don’t think we had one last week, we don’t have it this week. If you’re not stopping the run and getting off the field and you’re not creating turnovers, you’re in a world of trouble.

T.J. Watt

Heyward expressed his frustration at his unit’s inability to stop the offense, especially considering that the offense scored 31 points.

Our offense gave us a lot of points, and as a defense, that’s more than enough. As a defense, we have to take responsibility. As a defensive line, that run game is a big blemish on our group right now.

Cameron Heyward