The pain that usually hurts the most is the one you cannot see coming — and that’s exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans experienced Thursday night.
An embarrassing 33–31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was a brutal gut punch. After an impressive start to the season, it felt like Mike Tomlin’s squad finally had control of the AFC North. But when given the chance to create separation, they did the one thing they couldn’t afford to do — get in their own way.
This game wasn’t just another loss; it was a blown opportunity against a Bengals roster many considered inferior. The Steelers entered Week 7 with confidence, momentum, and a clear path to reinforce their dominance in the division.
Instead, they walked away with their first divisional loss of the year, and quite frankly, it was inexcusable.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a flawless outing. His two costly interceptions erased chances to extend drives and put points on the board. But when you look at the entire body of work, the real disappointment came from the defense — and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn’t shy away from acknowledging it.
“The (Steelers) offense was putting up points like they always have been,” Porter told reporters. “It just sucks we know it was on the defense. We know we need to be better.”
Porter Jr., who has been touted as one of the team’s brightest young defensive stars, confirmed what every fan already knew: this loss was on the defense. His performance, along with that of the entire secondary, left much to be desired.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Joey Porter Jr. to play up to his potenetial
The lack of aggression, communication breakdowns, and avoidable penalties allowed Joe Flacco — yes, the 40-year-old version — to torch the defense for 342 passing yards and three touchdowns.
It was a shocking display from the NFL’s highest-paid defensive unit, one that prides itself on physicality and precision. Flacco picked them apart, connecting repeatedly with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who combined for a staggering 22 receptions, 257 yards, and two touchdowns.
Chase, in particular, looked unstoppable — recording 16 catches for 161 yards — while Higgins added 96 yards of his own.
Simply put, Cincinnati didn’t respect Pittsburgh’s secondary, and they had every reason not to.
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For a front office that spent heavily to bolster its secondary, and for fans who believed in Porter Jr.’s ability to shine in big moments, the performance felt like a slap in the face. But to Porter’s credit, he didn’t dodge accountability after the game.
He’s right. Rodgers may not have been perfect, but he gave the Steelers a chance — even leading a clutch touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to give them the lead. Pittsburgh’s defense simply couldn’t close the deal.
For a unit built to dominate, that’s unacceptable. Other teams in the league wonder if their defense can make a stop when it matters. Steelers fans shouldn’t have to ask that question — not with this much talent and investment.
It’s refreshing to hear Porter Jr. take ownership after such a disheartening performance. But as every true Steelers fan knows, words only matter if they’re followed by results. Pittsburgh doesn’t need apologies — they need answers, adjustments, and action before it’s too late.