The Pittsburgh Steelers have repeated the storyline of previous "Mike Tomlin trap games" in recent years: poor scheming, poor execution, and not even an attempt of adapting or adjusting. This time, the offensive game-planning and execution were actually great, but the defense just sat back and let the Cincinnati Bengals do whatever they wanted to. Everything about that performance in Week 7 on Thursday Night Football was inexcusable, and everyone involved should do everything they can to make sure it does not happen again.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during loss to the Bengals in the 2024 NFL season.
In an article posted on X, insider Mark Kaboly spoke about how the postgame analysis from Tomlin and his players are so concerning at this point.
"I can accept it if it is popcorn, like Tomlin calls it, but it’s not," Kaboly said. "This defensive inconsistency, including continued problems stopping the run, makes it simple to hit that panic button because it happens so much. Seriously, how many times have you heard about 'getting out of our gaps' and 'gap integrity' over the past decade? Way too much."
Against the worst rushing attack in the NFL, the Steelers allowed 153 yards on 20 carries (if you take away the three kneel-downs for 11 yards by Joe Flacco at the end of the game). Chase Brown had almost 10 yards per carry as well. He was way too slippery for Pittsburgh to tackle in the few times that they did have any sort of gap control.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward shows his frustration during a Pittsburgh Steelers game
The Bengals also picked apart the Steelers' pass defense all night long. They beat Pittsburgh with its own strategy from the previous week, yet it could not and/or would not adjust to fix it. You can't give up 470 yards in a game, especially to a team that you should know very well. Cincinnati knew this team enough to know that there would not be any adjustments made, and it could do whatever it wanted whenever it wanted.
Games like this prove all the haters and doubters right. It doesn't matter that the offense actually looks like a consistent, sustainable unit at this point. It doesn't matter that Aaron Rodgers has turned the clock back five years. In the end, this is truly Steelers football of late: questionable coaching in key moments and lack of execution in critical divisional play.
Steelers' Common Denominator Is Getting Tiresome To Talk About
Many fans may want Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin fired. Even if he does call the plays, this is Tomlin's defense. As Kaboly said, these issues have been talking points for around a decade. Austin will likely be scapegoated at the end of the season if the unit continues to struggle due to his expiring contract, but fans question if that will be enough to see actual change.
Chaz Palla / Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin (left) and former team safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at training camp in Latrobe, PA.
There are some things that Tomlin is great at. X's and O's has never been one of them in the eyes of many. Despite that, he seemingly continually demands full control of the defense, and it oftentimes results in games like the one fans saw on Thursday night against the Bengals. His refusal to make adjustments and stick with flawed gameplans constantly wastes one of the most talented defenses in the NFL.
That's why it's so easy for fans to hit the panic button year in and year out at certain points of every season. They have seen this movie so many times, and it always ends the exact same. The Steelers will likely win 9-10 games, make the playoffs, and give up over 20 points before any part of the team plays well. At some point, crucial adjustments will need to be made defensively if this team wants a deep postseason run again.
What do you think about Kaboly talking about how it's so easy to panic as a Steelers fan? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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