After showing significant improvement on defense following a rough start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 7 with a chance to potentially put the AFC North to bed early. The Cincinnati Bengals have faltered to 2-4 this season after losing quarterback Joe Burrow, and the rest of the division is struggling even more with 1-5 records.
A win in Cincinnati Thursday night would give the Steelers a massive lead in the division, and it would help change the narrative that they can't take care of business against lesser opponents.
So far, not so good. Pittsburgh trails 14-10 after giving up back-to-back touchdowns to end the first half, with Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers being intercepted twice. While the picks hurt, it was the run defense that really let Cincinnati back in the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers allow Bengals woeful rushing attack to dominate in first half
The Steelers' run defense made big strides in recent weeks after allowing 299 yards and four touchdowns in their first two games. Since then, they have allowed just 254 yards and zero scores on the ground in three games.
That all went out the window in the first half against the Bengals, allowing 97 yards on just nine attempts on the ground. For reference, Cincinnati had averaged just 56.67 yards rushing per game before Thursday night, and they have already blown past their season-high of 85 yards against the Lions in Week 5.
That is simply unacceptable by Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff, and it has allowed QB Joe Flacco to have more space to operate in the passing game. The players are obviously not doing their job so far, but this type of performance in games like this is nothing new.
If they can't turn things around quickly to start the second half, this game could be over before they know it. The Bengals start with the ball to begin the third quarter, so we will see right away if Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin can make the required adjustments. If not, it could be a long night for Steelers fans and yet another inexcusable loss.