Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase Fires Condemning Message on Steelers’ Defensive Plan
The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced trouble in the past covering the vaunted Cincinnati Bengals receiving corps. But with a secondary built to do a better job slowing down Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals, the Steelers secondary perhaps had its worst performance ever against Cincinnati.
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns Thursday. He averaged 7.3 yards per pass and didn’t turn the ball over once.
Chase set a franchise record with 16 catches on 23 targets. The No. 1 Bengals receiver posted 161 receiving yards with a score while Tee Higgins also had 96 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Chase suggested to reporters after the game the Bengals offense experienced success because of the defensive philosophy the Steelers used.
“They did exactly what we was expecting and hoping they’d do,” said Chase.
The All-Pro wideout added more later in his press conference.
“We knew they were going to put Joey [Porter Jr.] on Tee [Higgins] and Jalen [Ramsey] on me,” Chase said. “We knew that, we were ready for it, and we were going to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Behind Chase’s record night, the Bengals knocked off the Steelers 33-31 in Week 7.
Steelers Couldn’t Cover Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals Receivers
Cincinnati has too many elite pass-catching weapons to double cover all of them. To have success against the Bengals, a defense has to win in single coverage against one of Cincinnati’s receivers.
The Steelers couldn’t find a formula where one of their defensive backs could cover any Bengals receiver in single coverage.
Pittsburgh deployed the defensive strategy Chase described to begin the game. But the Steelers also tried other matchups.
On the final drive, Jalen Ramsey was in coverage on Higgins when he hauled in the reception that led to the game-winning field goal. On a different play earlier in the game, depth cornerback Brandin Echols was in coverage on Chase.
When the Steelers double covered both Chase and Higgins, other Bengals pass-catchers took advantage of one-on-one chances. Andrei Iosivas beat Darius Slay for a 37-yard catch in the third quarter.
Nothing worked for the Steelers secondary, especially the original game plan.
Steelers Will Host Bengals in November
It’s never a good thing when an opponent says a team did exactly what they thought they would. It’s an even bigger indictment when an opponent admits that the team deployed a strategy they wanted them to.
The Steelers will have to introduce a different game plan for Chase and company to have more success in the rematch. The Bengals will visit Pittsburgh on November 16.
Generating more of a pass rush would help. The Steelers had two sacks, but Flacco had a comfortable pocket throughout Thursday night.
Without any pressure, the Steelers couldn’t create any splash plays. After the game, edge rusher T.J. Watt implied with how poorly the team defended, it was crucial to get takeaways, which the team also didn’t do.
The Steelers defense has gone two consecutive games without a takeaway. Pittsburgh had a minus-2 turnover margin Thursday.
To generate more of a pass rush, the Steelers have to do a better job against the run. The Bengals ran for a season-high 142 yards Thursday.
Chase, Higgins and the Bengals pass catchers are a difficult test for every NFL team. But the Steelers failed the test miserably Thursday.
According to Chase, their game plan was part of why.
Colts Superstar’s Heartbreaking Story Before His NFL Breakthrough
In the world of professional football, many players are celebrated for their remarkable on-field accomplishments. However, behind every standout athlete is a personal story filled with struggles, triumphs, and the raw determination to succeed despite the odds. For Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, his journey to NFL stardom is not just about his speed, strength, and skill on the field, but about the resilience he showed in overcoming personal hardships and family challenges.
Jonathan Taylor’s story begins in a place of emotional adversity. His parents divorced when he was very young, and as a result, Taylor’s childhood was marked by instability and separation. With both parents moving on to build new families, Taylor found himself navigating a complicated family dynamic that left him feeling emotionally distant from his biological parents. Raised by his mother, and later supported by his extended family, Taylor had to learn to cope with the absence of his father and the challenges of growing up in a fractured family.
"Growing up without both parents in the same household was tough," Taylor admitted in an exclusive interview. "But I was lucky to have my mom and my extended family to keep me grounded. I didn’t always have what others had, but I knew they loved me, and that kept me going."
Despite the emotional toll of his early life, Taylor turned to football as a source of strength. It wasn’t just a game for him; it was his way of escaping the emotional chaos and finding his identity. His natural talent for running the ball quickly caught the attention of coaches, and by the time he reached high school, Taylor was already standing out as one of the best players on the field. The game became his sanctuary — a place where he could leave behind his personal struggles and focus on doing what he loved.
"Football was the one thing I could always control," Taylor said. "It didn’t matter what was going on at home, I could always pour everything into the game. It gave me a way to express myself and escape the challenges I was facing."
Taylor’s college career at Wisconsin only further solidified his reputation as a future NFL star. His relentless work ethic and explosive play on the field helped him become one of the top running backs in the nation. But even as his athletic accomplishments piled up, Taylor still carried the weight of his difficult upbringing. The emotional scars from his childhood were never far behind, and the fear of not being good enough or living up to expectations stayed with him.
When the Indianapolis Colts selected Jonathan Taylor in the 2020 NFL Draft, it was a dream come true — but it also marked a pivotal moment in his journey. His success in the draft wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a victory over the adversity he had faced in his life. The moment he signed his first NFL contract was more than just a milestone in his career; it was a personal triumph that validated the years of hard work and sacrifice.
"The first contract I signed with the Colts was a huge moment for me, but it wasn’t just about football," Taylor shared. "It was about showing myself, and the people who supported me, that I could make it. That no matter what I went through, I could rise above and succeed."
One of the most emotional moments in Taylor’s journey came when his father, who had been absent for much of his life, reached out to congratulate him on his success. Despite the years of distance, the moment marked a kind of reconciliation — a bittersweet recognition of the emotional wounds that had been healed along the way.
"Having my dad reach out to me after all these years, that was powerful," Taylor said. "It wasn’t easy, but I’ve learned that you can’t let the past define who you are or where you’re going."
Jonathan Taylor’s story is one of resilience, strength, and redemption. It’s a reminder that success in the NFL isn’t just about athletic ability. It’s about overcoming the personal challenges that life throws at you, using those struggles to fuel your passion, and proving that greatness can be achieved despite a difficult past.
As Taylor continues to electrify fans with his incredible talent on the field, his journey will serve as an inspiration to countless others. His story proves that no matter the challenges or setbacks you face, with the right mindset, support, and determination, you can rise above and achieve greatness — both on and off the field.
