Are the Bengals what the Steelers offense needs for a “get right” game?
The Steelers know the Bengals are a top offense with Joe Burrow slowly coming back, but they also know that defense is bad. Can that be just what they need after the offense has sputtered in recent weeks? Against the Colts, they at least managed to be opportunistic, but the Chargers game was for the trash heap.
After beating an embarrassing Browns team 17-16 in Week 1, the Bengals defense has allowed at least 27 points in every single game to follow, including 31 to the Steelers. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Cincinnati managed to score 33 on offense in that one with Joe Flacco commandeering the offense.
While Burrow is back practicing, I don’t think he is necessarily set to play this week or anything that immediate. Still, the Steelers will have their hands full, even if the offense should have an easier time with the defense.
The Bengals recently became the first team in decades to lose two games in a row while scoring 38-plus points, which is ridiculously bad. They are just 3-6 on the season, and in two of their three wins, they needed at least 28 points. The Steelers offense went furthest against the Bengals’ defense while still coming up short by two.
In recent years, the Steelers have had some of their best games on offense against the Bengals’ defense. Russell Wilson looked like a Super Bowl quarterback again, and even Kenny Pickett once looked formidable. Surely Aaron Rodgers can have his way with a team playing this bad for this long on that side of the ball.
The Bengals defense is on pace to give up the most points in a season in NFL history, and the Steelers can’t squander this opportunity. After Cincinnati, they have to play the Bears, Bills, and Ravens. And they close out the season with the Lions and Ravens, with the Browns sandwiched in between. If they can’t get right against this defense, they won’t be right until at least 2026.
After another disappointing season and months of retooling, the Steelers are set to try it all again in 2025. Though they limped into the playoffs, they once again embarrassed themselves therein.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers isthe quarterback question. They settled in on Aaron Rodgers, but we still have a lot to learn about him. The2025 NFL Draft class could play a big role, but veteran additions like Jalen Ramsey will be paramount.
Now we are in the regular season. From Rodgers to George Pickens to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ramsey, we’ve seen the Steelers make some big changes. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and figuring out how it all works out.
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