Not many fans were doubting the Pittsburgh Steelers after an impressive 4-1 start to the 2025 season, but after going 1-3 over their past four games, fans are starting to lose hope... and the finger is being pointed directly at Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers have a negative point differential more than halfway through the season, while Tomlin's defense ranks 28th in yards allowed per game (376.0), 20th in points allowed (24.4), 20th in yards per play (5.4), 22nd in EPA per play, and 27th in defensive DVOA.
Collectively, the league's most expensive defense has underperformed, and everyone knows, and everyone knows it.
After another embarrassing showing on Sunday Night Football—the Steelers' second in three weeks—Tomlin is looking to rewrite the narrative. Thankfully for him, the stars are aligning to do exactly that in Week 11.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have every reason to bounce back against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11
Coach Tomlin seems to have a way of bouncing back after ugly losses. The long-time Steelers head coach knows that he needs to get fans off his back, and he could make fans forget about the pitiful showing against the LA Chargers in Week 10 with a statement win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Pittsburgh has every reason to blow the Bengals out of the water this week (but Tomlin will be under fire if the Steelers lose). Cincinnati will be without Trey Hendrickson on Sunday, and the Bengals already have the league's worst defense, which ranks 32nd in yards allowed per game (426.6) and 32nd in points allowed per game (33.3).
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This porous defense should aid quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a big bounce-back performance after putting up just 161 yards and a 4.5 QBR in Week 10. Without Hendrickson or first-round rookie Shemar Stewart to get after the quarterback this Sunday, Rodgers should be given plenty of time to scan the field and find his receivers.
On the flip side of the ball, Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin must learn from their mistakes on defense from the first time around. In Pittsburgh's Week 7 matchup against the Bengals, the defense allowed quarterback Joe Flacco to target wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase 23 times, which he turned into 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals had their Week 10 bye to prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, but they are still without two of their three best players in Joe Burrow and Trey Hendrickson.
This is a home game against a 3-6 AFC North opponent and the perfect shot at redemption for Mike Tomlin. He's either going to get Steelers fans off his back or have fans fuming after Week 11.