Whenever a football team scores 25 points in the fourth quarter it usually bodes well for that team. The Pittsburgh Steelers who trailed 14 to 10 at halftime, and 21-17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter got on a roll as they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 42-21 in a very key game.
With 543 yards and zero turnovers, the Steelers offense found vulnerable spots on the Bengals defense and exposed them. With over 32 minutes of time possession to wear down the Bengals defense, the Steelers offense beat the Bengals defense in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game as well as the run, with Le’Veon Bell rushing for 185 yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense made adjustments on defense after wide receiver A.J. Green scored on an 81 yard touchdown reception. The run defense was superb holding the Bengals offense under 100 yards rushing. The two forced turnovers were also a positive sign going forward.
The Steelers offense did a excellent job involving the killer B’s. Brown, Bell, Ben, and Bryant all made big plays in the second half and their efforts will be needed all the more next week vs the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers who are now 8-5 have a great chance of winning the AFC North division if they win their remaining 3 games. They will face the Bengals again at home in week 17; a game that could decide the division winner.
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DaveB.
December 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Three observations from the win over the Bengals . (1) LeVeon Bell barring serious injury has got superstar wrote all over him for years to come . (2) Martavis Bryant should be the starter opposite of Antonio Brown . Hes produced and has earned the opportunity . (3) Ike Taylors days as a starter in Pittsburgh should be over . After what Kenny Stills from the Saints did to him last week and now A.
Christina Rivers
December 7, 2014 at 6:56 pm
Dave,
You give a spot-on analysis there. Taylor being replaced by Antwon Blake was a smart move. I didn’t like Taylor coming back so soon from injury, and he has definitely lost a step. This has got to be the final year that the Steelers don’t address their cornerback situation in the draft.
DaveB.
December 7, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Totally agree Christina . Gay is average at best . Mike Mitchell has not lived up to the Steelers expectations . Troy’s coverage skills are gone , period . As bad as I hate to say it , he is lost when he has to cover downfield . His age has finally caught him . Lastly , Ike cant cover anymore . The speed is no longer there . If a A.J. Greene gets by him at the line of scrimmage , hes gone . Like Troy , as Chuck Noll use to say . its probably time to get on with your lifes work . Going into 2015 , Troy and Ike are going to have to be replaced . It cant be ignored any longer .
DrGeorge
December 7, 2014 at 7:24 pm
The offense works so much better when Haley commits to the run and Ben distributes the ball rather than trying to do it all himself or holding the ball for big plays. For the first time in weeks, I saw pulling guards and tackles on running plays. And Ben still got his stats — and zero sacks!! Offensive balance is what makes play action and that long bomb to Bryant possible. Over the next three games, we’ll see if they can sustain it.
You are right, Christina. On defense, Taylor was a liability until replaced by Blake. The pass rush has improved and, after some 1st Qtr adjustments, we were able to stop the run, most of the time. However, our safeties remain vulnerable to the deep pass, and Worilds (in being overly aggressive) failed to maintain containment on Dalton’s run. Over all, the defense still does not look like a legitimate playoff contender to me, especially our secondary, but LeBeau has three more games to solve that problem. So far, he is doing much better with inadequate talent than anyone could reasonably expect. Holding Cincy to 21 on their home field in this pass-happy era is a real achievement. Let’s hope it continues.