Will the Steelers get swept by a Joe Burrow-less Bengals team?
The Steelers usually have their way with the Bengals, but things have been more competitive in recent years—thanks to Joe Burrow. The Bengals swept the Steelers in 2021, for example, the first time since 2012. The last time before that, you would have to go back to 1998. But we are teetering on the brink of another sweep today, if Cincinnati’s defense can stave off another collapse.
The Bengals’ defense has been truly awful—historically bad—but the Steelers haven’t been so hot, either. They have lost three of their past four games and are scrambling to save their season. Their hold on the division is slipping, and it could erode if they lose this game.
Going into Week 11, the Steelers are 5-4, one game ahead of the 4-5 Ravens and two games ahead of the 3-6 Bengals. If the Bengals beat the Steelers, they will be just one game behind for the AFC North lead, with a tiebreaker over the Steelers. In other words, this is a pretty important game.
Now, the Steelers did nearly beat the Bengals last time, and frankly, they should have. All the defense had to do was make one more stop, only they couldn’t stop anything in the second half. I believe they only forced one punt in their last eight drives or something godawful like that. And it’s not like Cincinnati has stopped scoring since that game.
The only problem for them is that their defense has been awful—worse than Pittsburgh’s. The Bengals’ offense is clearly better, so the Steelers have to hope that their defense is the difference. Sometimes it is, but not often enough this year. Obviously, or they wouldn’t be 5-4 right now.
If the Steelers lose to the Bengals today, you have to seriously question how the rest of the season will go. The schedule is only getting harder, and if they fall to 5-5, then a losing season is very much in play. A Mike Tomlin team certainly isn’t going to tap out, but clearly, they are below the expectations they themselves set.
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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