The first time the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Cincinnati Bengals this season, All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase had one of the most impressive performances of his impressive career. He torched the Steelers’ defense for 16 catches with 161 yards and a touchdown on 23 total targets.
Naturally, Pittsburgh had to come prepared in round two to better handle one of the league’s most talented wide receivers. Plenty had changed in the defensive secondary since that game: Jalen Ramsey moved to safety, Kyle Dugger joined the team, and Darius Slay was out with a concussion, leaving James Pierre to get starter snaps.
Still, head coach Mike Tomlin contends that Pittsburgh didn’t do much differently against Chase specifically in Sunday’s 34-12 win over their AFC North rivals.
Mike Tomlin credits Pittsburgh Steelers' execution over schematics in round 2 vs Ja'Marr Chase
“I don't know that we changed anything of any significance,” Tomlin said after the game. “I just thought we were more solid today, to be honest with you.”
Pittsburgh held Chase to just three catches for 30 yards on 10 targets. Chase’s biggest impact on the game was getting Jalen Ramsey kicked out of the game on back-to-back personal foul penalties. Ramsey was ejected in the third quarter after the two exchanged pleasantries on subsequent plays. Ramsey alleged that Chase spit on him, which earned the punch thrown that had Ramsey ejected.
Beyond the fact that Ramsey was ejected, Tomlin credited stability at the safety position for being a key reason that things ‘clicked’ today.
Still, efforts of players like Dugger, who took an interception 74 yards to the house, and James Pierre, who deflected a deep shot intended for Chase, nabbed a scoop and score, and overall had as close to a career day as he could, ultimately made a difference in slowing down the superstar receiver as well.
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Of course, this game also took place in the comfort of Acrisure Stadium on a clear Sunday afternoon, instead of a Thursday night game on the road, a noted weak spot for Pittsburgh under Tomlin.
Nonetheless, it’s not like Tomlin would get into the intricacies of what was actually changed to combat Chase schematically either. The effort of the players on the field was notably stronger, to his point, and the plan of attack worked as intended, with Chase playing a small role in the contest overall.