As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up to face off against the Cincinnati Bengals once again, there’s a lot at stake, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. When these two teams last clashed on December 1st, the Steelers were holding their heads high as one of the NFL’s top defenses in points and yards allowed. Fast forward, and the landscape has shifted dramatically after that 44-38 triumph. Since then, the Steelers’ defense has been under scrutiny, grappling with both statistical setbacks and what coach Mike Tomlin candidly labeled as “bickering” within their ranks.
This Saturday’s regular-season finale isn’t just another game on the schedule—it’s a mission for the Steelers to reclaim their defensive identity against a Bengals offense that knows how to light up the scoreboard. Redemption is on the line, as the Steelers not only seek victory but aim to set the tone as they head into the playoffs.
For cornerback Joey Porter Jr., this matchup is deeply personal. Reflecting on a December that saw the Steelers surrender an average of 376.6 yards and 28.4 points per game, he emphasized the team’s resolve. “We all want to get that bad taste out of our mouths,” he noted. “Going into this, it’s a personal game for all of us. We are taking it very seriously, just trying to show everybody we know how to play defense.”
The backdrop to this pivotal game is a three-game losing streak, where the Steelers have allowed an average of 30 points per game. The Bengals, just five weeks earlier, dropped their season-high point total on Pittsburgh, casting doubts on what had been a stout defense in the season’s first half. During those early games, the Steelers didn’t allow any team to score more than 27 points, yet recent weeks have seen opponents consistently hit that mark.
One recurring issue has been breakdowns in coverage, with wide-open receivers exploiting missed assignments and communication gaps. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick pointed to opposing teams preying on Pittsburgh’s struggles with motion plays, stacks, and bunch formations. “Teams are scheming us,” Fitzpatrick said. “We made a big emphasis this week on addressing these plays and ensuring everyone communicates and stays on the same page.”
Amidst the defensive struggles, tensions have naturally boiled over in the locker room. Fitzpatrick aptly noted, “When you have a lot of guys who care deeply and we’re not in agreement, there’s bound to be conflict. But the key is to ask what we’re going to do differently to improve.”
Facing a dynamic Bengals team led by Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow is far from ideal for a defense looking to regroup, but it is the situation at hand. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Steelers have no choice but to come together and execute.
The team maintains that the internal turmoil is behind them, with Joey Porter Jr. expressing confidence in his teammates’ preparation and readiness. “I feel like everybody is well prepared to step in and make plays,” Porter asserted.
As the Steelers look to right the ship, Saturday’s showdown is not just about closing the regular season on a high note—it’s about reasserting their dominance before it really counts.
