Steelers vs. Bengals: 5 questions with the enemy ahead of Week 7

The Steelers continue division play this week with a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Bengals. I spoke with Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle ahead of the contest.

1. The Bengals made a move to acquire AFC North veteran Joe Flacco ahead of last week’s game. How did the offense look in his debut? Can they compete for the playoffs with him under center?

Anthony Cosenza: Cincinnati’s offense sputtered for the first two quarters, but began to show life before the half. Although they moved the ball, it set up a would-be NFL record 67-yard attempt by Evan McPherson, who missed it (although he actually made the first attempt before being iced).

In the second half, Flacco and Co. found some rhythm. He and Ja’Marr Chase look comfortable, with Flacco hitting some solid back-shoulder throws and Chase doing ridiculous Chase things. Tee Higgins was also solid, despite tight coverage throughout the game.

All of Cincinnati’s points came in the final two quarters, and they actually could/should have made it closer, if not for a critical drop on third down to convert by Andrei Iosivas (he had three of those), forcing them to settle for a field goal.

All in all, the Bengals needed Flacco to be competent, and he was that and then some. Still, this offense’s penchant for falling down early remains one of its many Achilles Heels.

2. Chase Brown was seemingly a breakout player in 2024, but the Bengals are struggling to run the ball this year. They currently rank last in the league with 56.7 rushing yards per game. What has been the biggest contributor to the run game woes?

AC: There is a combination of factors for the lack of a rush offense for the Bengals. The offensive linemen, particularly the older veterans, aren’t getting push, while the team seemingly runs in predictable situations.

Brown hadn’t been making as many decisive cuts and moves as we have seen in the past couple of years, but it’s difficult to do so when contact occurs immediately after receiving the handoff. Still, Samaje Perine, a bigger back, has seen a little more success lately, so I expect to see him get some more looks going forward.

All in all, it’s a combination of scheme, decisions by the backs, and porous blocking that have all contributed.

3. Cincinnati changed defensive coordinators this offseason. What are some of the biggest differences between Al Golden’s defense and former DC Lou Anarumo’s? And is there any regret seeing what Big Lou is doing in Indianapolis with the Colts?

AC: They still play a lot of man and try to bring some safeties in the box, but there’s a wider variety of blitzing. There is also the puzzling decision of dropping EDGEs Trey Hendrickson and/or Joseph Ossai into coverage, but we’ve actually seen some turnovers occur in those formations (happened last week in Green Bay with a red zone interception by Cincinnati).

I will say that they do fly to...