T.J. Watt exploits AFC North foes and odd stats from Steelers latest loss

The Steelers loss again to the Bengals almost guarantees Mike Tomlin a losing season. Here are Pittsburgh’s odd stats from Week 11. 

When looking at the stats coming out of Sunday’s game, it’s beginning to look like a six-game win streak would be highly unlikely. If you hadn’t noticed, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not had a touchdown pass over 10 yards in the entire 2022 season leading up to this point. The last team to have a passing game that bad was the 2000 Bengals, oddly enough.

Before that was the 1994 Arizona Cardinals, then you have to go back to 1942 when the Lions could not toss a touchdown over 10 yards. The only other teams not to have a touchdown pass over 10 yards? The 193s Staten Island Stapletons in 1932, the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932, and the Cincinnati Reds of 1933.

While the Steelers did have a passing touchdown against the Bengals, it was only their 7th of the year. It is the first and ties their mark from the 2001 season. In total, the Steelers only have 5 seasons since 1970  with seven passing touchdowns after the first 11 weeks. This happened in 2022, 2001, 2000, 1996, and 1976. Between 1933-1950 they had 14 such seasons with six touchdown passes or less. It makes one wonder if Matt Canada is not entirely sure what era he plays in.

Steelers odd stats

The Steelers managed to ‘firsts’ in the game against the Bengals, only adding to the misery of Steelers fans this season. On the bright side, the Steelers had their first-ever 20-17 lead at halftime against the Bengals. However, it was also the first time they had been down 10-3 in the first quarter in a home game against the Bengals.

On a slightly depressing note, the Steelers had never allowed a player from the Bengals to score three touchdowns in one game. However, they allowed Samaje Perine in the endzone three times. The Bengals now have at least one such game against every other divisional rival in their history.

However, this ‘first’ is even more odd. This loss was the Steelers first to the Bengals when Cincinnati had passed for over 346 yards. However, it’s only the 3rd time in Bengals history they have thrown at least 346 passing yards against the Steelers. The last time was on 9/18/2016, when they passed for 366, and on 11/22/1987, when the Bengals had a whopping 373 passing yards.

Najee Harris finding second gear

If there was one bright spot following the Steelers loss. Najee Harris had his second consecutive 90-plus-yard rushing game of the 2022 season. It’s also Najee’s 3rd 90-plus yard rushing game against an AFC North team, and he has two against Cleveland and one against the Bengals.

Turn up the wattage

Even though they suffered a loss, T.J. Watt managed to wreak havoc on the Bengals. He had his second interception against the Bengals, and both times have been in the 2022 season. Even more interesting is that T.J. has six career interceptions, and of those six picks, two have come against the Bengals, and three in all have come at the expense of AFC North teams.

Sure the stats may have lost their luster against the Bengals on Sunday, but next Monday night, the Steelers face the Colts. Plus, they have a chance to rebound against a team that has struggled all year. Plus, being a Monday night game, who knows what sort of odd stats might arise