Initial Thoughts on bengal Game

[MT~Forged]

I thought the Steelers were going to walk away with it. Seems like they let their foot off the gas on that second drive and lost the momentum from there.

That is Tomlin’s philosophy, get a lead then play not to lose. He thinks that you need to win it at the end of the game, not destroy them early and allow the players to pad their stats.

He ALWAYS takes his foot off the gas, then wonders why the O sputters when they are needed to make up for a shytte defense.

 

[jitter77]

They lost their last 4 games. LOL, the idea that those bums were some unstoppable force coming into this game is nonsense. Coaching matters. In 3 weeks, we will be right back in the pack with the rest of the division. Bank on it.

This is not a fair statement. Yes they did lose 4 in a row, but they almost won last week with Flacco. Before that they had Browning who was beyond terrible. The Bengals are very talented on offense. Chase and Higgins are about as good as you can get for a WR duo.

 

[steel dino]

The Bengals are very talented on offense. Chase and Higgins are about as good as you can get for a WR duo.

Agreed.
Chase's performance was probably the greatest single game wide receiver game that I ever witnessed against the Steelers.
He looked like he was going up against a Division 2 college football secondary last night.
Pitiful.

 

[Confluence]

Agreed.
Chase's performance was probably the greatest single game wide receiver game that I ever witnessed against the Steelers.
He looked like he was going up against a Division 2 college football secondary last night.
Pitiful.

Maybe you forgot the painful game that Demarius Thomas had against Ike in the playoffs. Worse damage on less throws from that HOF QB Tebow.

But the Steelers did make Chase look like the second coming of Chris Hogan.

 

[Troglodyte]

I’m thinking this is the beginning of the Steelers annual four game losing streak.

 

[steel dino]

Maybe you forgot the painful game that Demarius Thomas had against Ike in the playoffs. Worse damage on less throws from that HOF QB Tebow.

But the Steelers did make Chase look like the second coming of Chris Hogan.

Yeah...always others but the latest one cuts the most! Not to mention....the 23 targets he got!!! Unreal!
Here is what A.I. informed me...
Top performances by receiving yards...
Chase is noted at the end,

1. Qadry Ismail (December 12, 1999)
   • Team: Baltimore Ravens
   • Stat line: 6 receptions for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns.
2. Josh Gordon (November 24, 2013)
   • Team: Cleveland Browns
   • Stat line: 14 receptions for 237 yards and 1 touchdown.
3. A.J. Green (December 7, 2014)
   • Team: Cincinnati Bengals
   • Stat line: 11 receptions for 224 yards and 1 touchdown.
4. Bobby Mitchell (November 17, 1963)
   • Team:Washington Redskins
     • Stat line: 11 receptions for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns.
   • Eddie Brown (November 6, 1988)
     • Team: Cincinnati Bengals
     • Stat line: 7 receptions for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Top performances by touchdowns
The record for the most receiving touchdowns against the Steelers is 3, a feat achieved by several players, most notably Qadry Ismail during his record-setting game in 1999.
Other notable efforts

• Ja'Marr Chase: On October 16, 2025, Chase set a Bengals franchise record against the Steelers with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. He has consistently performed well against Pittsburgh, including a 161-yard game in 2025, a 115-yard, 1 TD game in 2020, and a 114-yard, 1 TD game in 2021.

 

[Super Dave]

Maybe you forgot the painful game that Demarius Thomas had against Ike in the playoffs. Worse damage on less throws from that HOF QB Tebow.

But the Steelers did make Chase look like the second coming of Chris Hogan.

I was thinking any game against Kenaan Allen

 

[ExUSAF]

We will NEVER sniff another SB so long as Omar Epps is the head coach of this team.

We'll never sniff a playoff win either, if we make it at all.

 

[Badcat]

The Steelers boast “next man up,” “standard high,”
But that defense, priced way too high.
Collapsed again, a costly choke,
While Chase's routes made them a joke.

Steel City pride? More like regret.
Same act, same coach, same roulette.
Another year, same sorry trend.
High-paid idiocy with no end.

 

[gk1951]

What is so sad this year in particular is that when you mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers you always thought sturdy tough Defense. From the days of the Steel Curtain (was in Pittsburgh in grad school when they won they first superbowl with a defensive struggle with the Vikings) through the Blitzburgh years and so on

Now? This is an embarrassing over-priced group of "Defenders" who can't defend.

Dick Lebeau was the last solid defensive coach.

Tomlin's defensive coaching skills seem like a deer looking at headlights!

 

[jitter77]

Maybe you forgot the painful game that Demarius Thomas had against Ike in the playoffs. Worse damage on less throws from that HOF QB Tebow.

But the Steelers did make Chase look like the second coming of Chris Hogan.

lol I remember the Chris Hogan game... that was something.....
I would have tried doubling Chase and Higgins and took our chances with the other guys. At the very minimum do not let chase beat you. If Flacco had to goto option 3 or 4 maybe our pass rush would have time to get there.

 

[Steelmann]

Someone actually tackled a QB……

https://www.reddit.com/r/steelers/s/DOJ2KTSSd0

 

[steelcan58]

Someone actually tackled a QB……

https://www.reddit.com/r/steelers/s/DOJ2KTSSd0

On another TD Jones punched Rodgers in both shoulders as if he were blocking a pass rusher. Just shows how low this guy's IQ really is

 

[Fiji Mariner]

What would you have done different? The Bengal receivers were better. The Steelers played man, they played zone, nothing worked. Nobody on defense made plays.

He could have made many adjustments that simply weren’t attempted cuz frankly he’s not a tactically average coach

1) Try bracketing him a few times
2) Chase using inside leverage consistently for quick run and catch slants. Take away the inside leverage on some plays by dropping the best coverage LB in the world underneath the route from time to time to take away the quick hit and make an old man hold the ball longer.
3) If pressure is never getting home try batting the ball a few times Cam, Watt and Co
If Highsmith is getting dick for pressure maybe try that guy Herbig a bit (he was on fire lately) move Watt around….just do something!!!! Anything to try to create some pressure and affect the timing.

I could go on with several tactical changes but what’s the point when ya have a brilliant coach like Mike that sees a problem and will do nothing to adjust to the problem anyway? Absolutely pointless.

The only good news is this was 100% to be expected as it’s what a Tomlin team does EVERY year, to buy into his teams is a fan error.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

On another TD Jones punched Rodgers in both shoulders as if he were blocking a pass rusher. Just shows how low this guy's IQ really is

With those tackling skills he could be an asset to that pathetic D line

 

[steelcan58]

He could have made many adjustments that simply weren’t attempted cuz frankly he’s not a tactically average coach

1) Try bracketing him a few times
2) Chase using inside leverage consistently for quick run and catch slants. Take away the inside leverage on some plays by dropping the best coverage LB in the world underneath the route from time to time to take away the quick hit and make an old man hold the ball longer.
3) If pressure is never getting home try batting the ball a few times Cam, Watt and Co
If Highsmith is getting dick for pressure maybe try that guy Herbig a bit (he was on fire lately) move Watt around….just do something!!!! Anything to try to create some pressure and affect the timing.

I could go on with several tactical changes but what’s the point when ya have a brilliant coach like Mike that sees a problem and will do nothing to adjust to the problem anyway? Absolutely pointless.

The only good news is this was 100% to be expected as it’s what a Tomlin team does EVERY year, to buy into his teams is a fan error.

For point number 3 isn't that on the players to make that adjustment play to play to do something effective. This isn't a video game.

 

[Punxsutawney]

On another TD Jones punched Rodgers in both shoulders as if he were blocking a pass rusher. Just shows how low this guy's IQ is.

Inexplicably stupid.

I don't blame Rodgers for being pissed one bit when a 300+ lb man randomly jumps on his back for no reason and without warning.

Imagine if he was injured there.

Things like that, combined with other things we've seen on the field, kind of make you wonder if all the gears between Jones' ears are turning smoothly.

All-pro physical ability. Practice squad head

 

[Fiji Mariner]

For point number 3 isn't that on the players to make that adjustment play to play to do something effective. This isn't a video game.

Absolutely not
You think Herbig can just run in whenever he wants and tap Highsmith out? or Watt doesn’t have an assignment? That’s 100 on coaching

Sure when pressure not getting home a player tries different rush moves or at a minimum the position coach/coordinator/HC should say hands up…

Mikes version of in game coaching is…
1) hire complete inept underling as face of the Defense, a true historically weak stooge that won’t threaten the throne
2) make absolutely zero adjustments to **** game plan he creates for the game
3) stand like deer in headlights when opponent exposes him for his stupidity and lack of any tactical ability

I’m sure he will unleash he’ll soon though

 

[steelcan58]

Absolutely not
You think Herbig can just run in whenever he wants and tap Highsmith out? or Watt doesn’t have an assignment? That’s 100 on coaching

Sure when pressure not getting home a player tries different rush moves or at a minimum the position coach/coordinator/HC should say hands up…

Mikes version of in game coaching is…
1) hire complete inept underling as face of the Defense, a true historically weak stooge that won’t threaten the throne
2) make absolutely zero adjustments to **** game plan he creates for the game
3) stand like deer in headlights when opponent exposes him for his stupidity and lack of any tactical ability

I’m sure he will unleash he’ll soon though

I was referring to "If pressure isn't getting home try batting the ball...". I realize they can't freely substitute.

 

[SteveA]

Because the big-time #2 WR can cover opposing receivers?

No cause you see how great receivers can torch a team with these rules

The rules FAVOR THE OFFENSE

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I was referring to "If pressure isn't getting home try batting the ball...". I realize they can't freely substitute.

A good coach emphasizes what he is seeing in the sideline, not saying that’s Mike’s job…but any of his hires should have pointed out a few tactical options to employ.

That’s why smart HCs surround themselves with competent coaching. The amount of active coaching in game on a Steeler sideline is pretty shocking. I’ve seen Kirby Smart do more in game coaching than the entire Steelers staff (while effectively doing all the HC duties too). Our guys are spectators…just a bunch of guys watching a game, may as well hand them some towels so they can at least cheer like the rest of the fans since they apparently have zero responsibilities.

 

[timsim00]

Last Night's Game:
O-Line - Awesome!! About time, although it is the Bungles defense, without Trey.
Jaylen, incredible and great to see.
Rogers, well, he was Rogers.
Receivers, where were they? We really only have one receiver Rogers trusts.
Tight Ends, awesome!!! It look six games for Pat to get some serious attention.

DEFENSE - USUAL POOR PLANNING AND EXECUTION.
With Tomlin as HC, Austin will always have a place to under perform.
* DB's, horrible! Soft zone against these two receivers? yup, smart play.
* DL, horrendous. Bungles were last in rushing, not anymore
*& LB's, what a joke. sooooooo MUCH money paid to LBs and Queen had 4 total tackles and we only got to Flacco two times. (Disgusting) ILBs should lead the stats in tackles, every week.
* Nice stat, JPJ lead the league in PI's last year and give him enough playing time he will again

Predictions:
* lose the next 4, 6 out of next 7
* if we don't win the division, and we may not if Lamar ever comes back, we won't make the playoffs. Too many good teams in the AFC
* Rogers will retire and we will be stuck wondering if Will Howard is the guy after drafting a QB in the 1st round

* Last Prediction: Bungles lose to NY Jets in Week 8, J. Fields gets his first win, you heard it here first.

Go Steelers?

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

What would you have done different? The Bengal receivers were better. The Steelers played man, they played zone, nothing worked. Nobody on defense made plays.

What other teams has Flacco lit up like that in the past 2 years? You honestly think the Bengals will do that to anyone else the rest of year with Flacco? How come they did it to the highest paid defense in the league? Whose fault would that be?

The least they could have done was double Chase and make someone else beat them in the 2nd half, was there any attempt to do that?

Why can’t that front 7 stop one of the worst running games in the league? I guess there’s no scheme that could stop 20 yard runs either…

This is THE HiGHEST PAID DEFENSE IN THE NFL, yes the players didn’t play well, but when they stink it up like that and you refuse to point blame on the coaching it shows what you’re all about here, again.

 

[Litos]

I’m thinking this is the beginning of the Steelers annual four game losing streak.

We might get two of those this season, yippity

 

[Steelr4evr]

lol I remember the Chris Hogan game... that was something.....
I would have tried doubling Chase and Higgins and took our chances with the other guys. At the very minimum do not let chase beat you. If Flacco had to goto option 3 or 4 maybe our pass rush would have time to get there.

That would require actual game planning...pffft the Steelers don't do that common sense simple tactics stuff.

There's nothing complex about layering two defensive players on one guy.


What they did do was give 10 yard cushions which the bungles had a field day with.

It seems it's impossible for them to cover the middle of the field and get carved up by simple slants all day.

I don't see other teams with this problem which has been ongoing for well over a decade.