Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals

As the AFC North race tightens in the final weeks of the NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent slide has opened a critical window of opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals. After starting the season with a 6-3 record, the Steelers have dropped four of their last five games, plagued by defensive lapses, inconsistent quarterback play, and a run game that has stalled. For the Bengals, who are battling for both the division title and a secure playoff spot, this decline isn’t just a stroke of luck—it’s a chance to capitalize on a divisional rival’s weaknesses, solidify their own standing, and gain momentum heading into the postseason. Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the Steelers’ key struggles, how the Bengals’ strengths align to exploit them, past matchup insights, needed Bengals adjustments, and what this opportunity means for their playoff hopes.

Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals opens with the Steelers’ most glaring issue: a defensive unit that has gone from stingy to porous. Over their last five games, the Steelers have allowed an average of 28 points per game—up from 19 points per game in their first nine contests. Their pass defense, once a strength, has surrendered 11 touchdowns through the air in that stretch, with opposing quarterbacks completing 68% of their passes. A big part of this decline is the Steelers’ struggling edge rush, which has recorded just 5 sacks in the last five games (down from 22 in the first nine). Defensive end T.J. Watt, while still productive, has been limited by a shoulder injury, and his backups have failed to generate consistent pressure. “The Steelers’ defense isn’t the same without that relentless pass rush,” said NFL analyst Mike Pereira. “They’re giving quarterbacks too much time to read the field, and that’s killing them.” For the Bengals, this defensive drop-off creates a chance to let Joe Burrow and their receiving corps shine.

Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the Steelers’ offensive struggles, which have compounded their defensive issues. Quarterback Kenny Pickett has been inconsistent, throwing 7 interceptions and just 4 touchdowns in the last five games, and he’s been sacked 14 times due to a banged-up offensive line. The Steelers’ run game has also faltered, averaging just 87 yards per game in their recent slide—well below the league average of 112 yards per game. Star running back Najee Harris has seen his yards per carry drop from 4.2 to 3.1, as opposing defenses have focused on stopping him without fear of the Steelers’ passing attack. “The Steelers can’t balance their offense right now,” said former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman. “If you stop Harris, you force Pickett to win with his arm, and he’s not been able to do that consistently.” This one-dimensional offense gives the Bengals’ defense a clear focus: shut down the run, pressure Pickett, and force turnovers.

Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals covers how the Bengals’ strengths directly counter the Steelers’ current weaknesses. Burrow, who has thrown for 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns in his last five games, thrives against defenses that can’t generate pressure—exactly the situation the Steelers present now. The Bengals’ receiving corps, led by Ja’Marr Chase (who has 45 catches for 600 yards in the last five games) and Tee Higgins, can exploit the Steelers’ struggling secondary, especially in one-on-one matchups. On defense, the Bengals’ run defense (which ranks 10th in the league, allowing 108 yards per game) is well-equipped to handle Harris, and their pass rush—even with Trey Hendrickson’s uncertain status—can pressure Pickett’s shaky offensive line. “This is a perfect matchup for the Bengals right now,” said Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. “Their strengths are the Steelers’ current weaknesses, and that’s a recipe for success.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this alignment of strengths and weaknesses isn’t just favorable—it’s a chance to take control of the AFC North race.

Another layer of Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals is the Bengals’ recent history against the Steelers, which provides a roadmap for success. In their first meeting this season (a 16-10 Bengals win in Week 8), the Bengals held the Steelers to just 221 total yards, sacked Pickett 3 times, and forced 2 turnovers. They focused on stopping Harris (holding him to 52 yards on 18 carries) and made Pickett beat them with his arm—a strategy that worked then and is even more viable now, given the Steelers’ recent offensive struggles. The Bengals also used short, quick passes to Chase and Higgins to counter the Steelers’ pass rush, keeping Burrow upright and moving the chains. “We know what works against this Steelers team,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said after the Week 8 win. “We stay disciplined on defense, protect Joe on offense, and let our playmakers make plays.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, leaning into this proven strategy can help them replicate that win and further distance themselves from the Steelers in the division.

Steelers' Decline Offers Opportunity for the Cincinnati Bengals closes with what this opportunity means for the Bengals’ playoff aspirations. Currently holding the AFC’s No. 5 seed, the Bengals are just one game behind the Ravens for the AFC North title. A win over the Steelers would not only give them a two-game lead over Pittsburgh in the division but also boost their chances of securing a higher playoff seed—potentially even overtaking the Ravens if Baltimore stumbles. In the postseason, a higher seed means home-field advantage, which the Bengals used to great effect in their 2022 Super Bowl run. “This is a make-or-break stretch for us, and the Steelers’ decline gives us a chance to seize control,” Burrow said. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re ready to take advantage.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers’ recent struggles aren’t just a temporary reprieve—they’re a chance to prove they’re still a top contender in the AFC, to solidify their place in the playoffs, and to build momentum for a deep postseason run. In a division race that’s as tight as this one, seizing this opportunity could be the difference between a good season and a great one.