Steelers' Defense Gets Surprising Backing From Former AFC North Rival Against Joe Burrow

One former NFL defensive lineman thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is about to change the national conversation. Most of the attention this week has gone to Joe Burrow and the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals offense. Chris Canty went on ESPN radio on Friday and made a bold call about Sunday night's first-place showdown at Paycor Stadium. He did not just predict a Steelers win. He said Burrow has no chance of lighting up Pittsburgh's defense.

Canty, a Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, broke down the matchup on ESPN's Unsportsmanlike. He made it clear that he does not expect a repeat of the shootout from the first meeting.

"He's not lighting up that defense. Not going to happen. They might find a way to win against a division opponent at home, but they're not lighting up the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense," Canty said.

Canty pointed to the bye week as a big reason for his confidence. The Steelers have had extra time to rest and prepare, and he believes that gives them the edge.

"Especially with the Steelers coming off of a bye week, rested, and extra time to prepare against you. No shot. Give me the Pittsburgh Steelers," Canty said.

Steelers Defense Has Changed Since Week 3

The first meeting between these teams was not the defense's best day. Burrow completed 28 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 30-27 win. The Steelers only sealed it in the final minute, when Derrick Harmon sacked Burrow and forced a fumble that Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered.

A lot has changed since then. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham moved from the coaches' box to the sideline, and the players have credited that move with improving communication. Patrick Queen has taken over as the on-field play caller, and SteelerNation covered how Graham praised Alex Highsmith's hidden impact on the defense this week. The Steelers entered the bye with eight sacks in a 27-6 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Canty is going against much of the national consensus. A survey of NFL executives by ESPN leaned toward the Bengals in the AFC North race, and CBS Sports labeled the Steelers pretenders despite their 6-2 start. The Bengals have also scored at least 31 points in each of their last four games.

The challenge is obvious. Burrow has two of the best receivers in the league in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and the Steelers' secondary has given up too many explosive plays at times. Graham has seen this offense once already, though, and the defense has had an extra week to work on a plan.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said this week that the Bengals mostly relied on quick passes in the first meeting, and that the pass rush took over once Pittsburgh got them into obvious passing situations late in the game. If the Steelers can force more of those situations on Sunday, Canty's prediction may look smart.

The Steelers could also get some help up front. Harmon, who has been on injured reserve since the week after that game, returned to practice this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Getting him back would add depth to a rotation that has already been one of the league's best at getting after the quarterback. On the other side of the line, SteelerNation looked at the rematch TJ Watt faces against Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims, who kept Watt quiet in Week 3. A big night from Watt would go a long way toward making Canty look right.

The secondary will be tested, too. Rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings said this week that he expects Cincinnati to try to take the top off the defense, and that he wants to show he has the range to cover sideline to sideline. Keeping Chase and Higgins in front of them will be the key.

Kickoff is set for Sunday night at Paycor Stadium, where the Bengals will hold a white-out.

A win would give the Steelers a season sweep and sole possession of first place. It would also prove Canty right about a defense that has carried the team through its four-game winning streak.

This story was produced with the help of AI and reviewed by SteelerNation editors.

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