Steelers' Receive Major Backlash For Defensive Efforts Vs Bengals: "No Answers For Them"

The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of their worst performances of the season on the defensive side of the football on Thursday night. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Steelers by a score of 33-31 and the defense was no match for Joe Flacco and the Bengals' offense for the majority of the contest. The defense struggled in all aspects throughout the course of the game and the unit will need to play at a much higher level against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.

Ja'Marr Chase was nothing short of fantastic against the Steelers' secondary on Thursday night. The superstar receiver was credited with an impressive 161 yards on 16 receptions, as Jalen Ramsey struggled to contain the star for the majority of the contest.  Former NFL cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman took a moment to share his thoughts on the Steelers' defensive efforts following the game, as the cornerback claims the secondary had no answers for Chase and the rest of Cincinnati's offense.

Sherman believes Pittsburgh put a lot of time and effort into preparing for the Bengals' playmakers, but the results were not what the Steelers had hoped for.

"Spent a lot of time, money, and effort on their secondary this year for this team, specifically for this divisional opponent." Sherman stated. "These two receivers and Joe Burrow, and what they could really do in the secondary, you paid Jalen Ramsey to come over here and deal with JaM'arr Chase. You bring Darius Slay over to deal with him. Joey Porter deal with Tee Higgins."

Sherman continued to talk about the Steelers having the pieces to stop both Chase and Higgins, but ultimately the unit was unable to do it.

"They are built to deal with this team, and they just couldn't. They had no answers for them."

The secondary as a whole struggled against the Bengals' offense for the majority of the night. Flacco was credited with an eye-opening 342 yards through the air along with three touchdowns, and the Steelers' secondary was no matchup for the 40 year old quarterback and his top playmakers. Ramsey and the rest of Pittsburgh's secondary will look to turn the page to next Sunday's matchup with Green Bay as the defensive unit as a whole will need to perform at a much higher level.

Ramsey will have an excellent opportunity to bounce back against the Packers next weekend. The superstar was acquired in an offseason deal with the Miami Dolphins and many people felt as if Ramsey's main task would be containing Chase. Pittsburgh's secondary will take the next week to regroup as the defensive unit will look to get back on track against the Packers.

Steelers' Cam Heyward Defended Secondary Following The Loss

Cam Heyward was quick to share his thoughts on the Steelers' defensive efforts following the loss in Cincinnati. The veteran defensive lineman emphasized Pittsburgh's inability to stop the run throughout the matchup, as Heyward believes the secondary struggled as a direct result. The Steelers' defense as a whole will need to play better against Green Bay, but Heyward's accountability and level of emotion is an excellent sign of what may come in the near future.

Heyward and the rest of the defensive line will be tasked with a crucial role next Sunday as shutting down Josh Jacobs is never an easy task. The secondary could play better with additional help from the run defense but the unit in its entirety struggled for the majority of the matchup in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh will host the Packers for Sunday Night Football next weekend as the Steelers will look to get back in the win column.

Pittsburgh's defensive efforts against the Bengals were unacceptable. The unit will need to play better moving forward, and the Steelers now find themselves with a rather tough three game stretch over the next month of play. Pittsburgh will look to send a major statement to the rest of the league next Sunday as the team will look to get back on track as quickly as possible.

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