Photo: steelers.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of reasons to feel confident coming out of their bye week. They’ve won four consecutive games, improved to 6-2, and already have a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals under their belts. However, Sunday’s rematch at Paycor Stadium presents a challenge that could test just how much progress Pittsburgh has made over the last month.
That challenge starts with Joe Burrow, who continues to play at a high level despite facing a Steelers defense that has become increasingly effective at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh managed to escape its first meeting with Cincinnati with a victory, but the Bengals have continued developing offensively since then. Their offensive line is playing better, their receivers remain among the league’s most dangerous, and Burrow has been making life difficult for opposing defenses.
The Steelers have made improvements of their own, particularly along the defensive front. The question is whether those improvements will translate against a quarterback who has consistently demonstrated an ability to neutralize even the most aggressive pass rushes.
One of the biggest obstacles Pittsburgh faces Sunday is Burrow’s ability to get rid of the football before pressure reaches him. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy specifically mentioned that trait during his Monday press conference, noting that Cincinnati’s quarterback rarely wastes time deciding where to go with the football.
Burrow is also exceptionally comfortable operating within the pocket. Rather than immediately scrambling when defenders close in, he’ll slide to create additional throwing lanes and deliver the football before the rush can finish.
That’s a major reason Pittsburgh recorded only one sack in the first meeting between these teams. The Steelers weren’t necessarily incapable of generating pressure, but Burrow’s timing and decision-making made it difficult to turn those opportunities into negative plays.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham also praised Burrow’s toughness and patience. He pointed toward the quarterback’s willingness to stand in the pocket, absorb contact and continue attacking downfield, even after taking a hit.
It’s a combination that makes Burrow particularly difficult to defend. He has the arm talent to challenge defenses vertically, the intelligence to recognize coverage adjustments and the patience to wait for an opportunity to develop.
As dangerous as Burrow already is, Cincinnati’s offensive line has made his job considerably easier. Graham identified that unit as perhaps the biggest difference he’s noticed since the Steelers last faced the Bengals.
Graham credited offensive line coach Scott Peters for developing a more cohesive group, one that’s doing a better job protecting Burrow while also creating opportunities in the running game.
Right tackle Amarius Mims has been particularly impressive. Graham praised the young lineman’s combination of size, athleticism and physicality, noting that Cincinnati has shown considerable confidence in allowing him to handle difficult assignments against some of the AFC’s better pass rushers.
That could make for an interesting matchup against Pittsburgh’s edge defenders, particularly T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Steelers have been getting better production from their pass rush as a unit, but Cincinnati’s protection presents a different test than what they’ve encountered in recent weeks.
It’s also worth remembering that the Bengals don’t necessarily need to run the football frequently to make their offense effective. If Pittsburgh becomes overly aggressive in pursuit of Burrow, Cincinnati has enough talent to take advantage of the space left behind.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, its defense isn’t relying exclusively on Watt and Highsmith to generate pressure. Graham has continued incorporating different players into his pressure packages, creating opportunities to attack offenses from multiple directions.
Patrick Queen and Jalen Ramsey have both been utilized in those situations, giving the Steelers additional flexibility without requiring them to completely overhaul their defensive approach.
Graham explained that much of the apparent complexity comes from presenting familiar concepts with different personnel and alignments. The objective isn’t necessarily to invent something new each week, but to make opposing offenses account for where pressure might originate.
McCarthy also believes the Steelers’ pass-rushing rotation has become more effective as the season has progressed. He credited improved communication between veterans and younger players, along with the group’s growing familiarity with its responsibilities.
Highsmith deserves some recognition in that regard. While his traditional statistics might not jump off the page, Graham praised his discipline and versatility, particularly his ability to set the edge, defend the run and contribute to the coordination of Pittsburgh’s pass rush.
Against Burrow, those details could be more important than the number of sacks Pittsburgh records. Disrupting his throwing lanes, preventing him from stepping comfortably into throws and forcing him to move off his preferred spot could help the Steelers create opportunities for their secondary.
Of course, pressuring Burrow is only part of the equation. Pittsburgh also has to account for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest of Cincinnati’s receiving threats, who can turn even a small defensive mistake into a significant gain.
Graham acknowledged that the Steelers will need to disguise their coverages, but he also cautioned against relying too heavily on deception. Burrow has seen enough defensive schemes throughout his career that simply showing him something different before the snap isn’t likely to fool him consistently.
That puts an emphasis on execution, particularly for a Steelers secondary that has continued developing throughout the season.
Rookies Daylen Everette and Robert Spears-Jennings have gained valuable experience since the first meeting with Cincinnati. Graham praised both players for their physicality, ability to find the football and willingness to learn from their mistakes.
The Steelers will need that continued development against a Bengals offense capable of attacking every level of the defense. Even when Pittsburgh gets its coverage right, Burrow has shown he’s willing to give his receivers opportunities to make contested catches.
For all the attention surrounding Cincinnati’s passing game, Graham made an interesting point when discussing his defensive priorities for Sunday. Asked about his first objective against the Bengals, he identified stopping the run.
That might seem unusual considering Burrow’s ability to throw the football, but it speaks to the importance of preventing Cincinnati from becoming a balanced offense. If the Steelers can limit the running game, they’ll have a better opportunity to create predictable passing situations and allow their pass rush to attack.
It’s a familiar formula, and one that has contributed to Pittsburgh’s recent success. The Steelers have become more physical along the line of scrimmage, improved their tackling and done a better job creating turnovers.
However, Cincinnati isn’t likely to make things easy. Burrow has the experience to recognize pressure, the weapons to punish defensive mistakes and an offensive line that’s giving him more opportunities to operate comfortably.
The Steelers don’t necessarily need to sack Burrow five or six times to win Sunday night. They do need to make him uncomfortable, limit explosive plays and avoid allowing Cincinnati to dictate the pace of the game.
Pittsburgh has already beaten the Bengals once this season, but completing the sweep on the road will require another strong defensive performance. If the Steelers can carry their recent improvements into Cincinnati, they’ll have an opportunity to make a significant statement in the AFC North race.
