The Bengals were looking to bounce back after a questionable performance, specifically from the offence, in week 2. Going head to head against a Steelers team that has largely had their number over the past several years, this was an opportunity to make a statement and build some momentum to carry with them throughout the season. Last week, there seemed to be a lot more bad than good to talk about, but in week 3, it was quite the opposite.
The Good:
– The DL
The entire defensive line deserves a shoutout for their performnce in this one. Big Ben had constant pressure in his face, and it forced multiple mistakes on his end.
Hendrickson and Hubbard were threatening the Steelers’ tackles from the edge, while Ogunjobi and Reader was disruptive in the middle. Also a part of the rotation, BJ Hill had himself a good day and was causing some trouble for the Pittsburgh OL, picking up a sack in the process. Cam Sample also picked up a sack. The Bengals totaled 4 on the day.
– The OL
Although the Steelers DL did have a couple of injuries, nothing should be taken away from a good performance against what is still a very solid unit. Adding to things is the fact that the Bengals were without starter Xavier Su’a-Filo and had to start rookie Jackson Carman.
Carman had shown some inconsistencies in college and that carried over into camp and the preseason. However, it was the opposite on Sunday. Carman did not allow a single sack or pressure against a tough Steelers DL. For that matter, no one on the Bengals OL allowed a sack. It broke a streak of 75 games in which the Steelers had at least one sack.
– LB, Logan Wilson
Logan Wilson continued his stellar start to the season on Sunday. Not only was he good in the ground game, but he was crazy good in coverage. He read the field well and was quick to take away passing lanes. He picked off Big Ben twice and now sits tied for the league in interceptions with three on the year.
– WR, Ja’Marr Chase
I might as well just copy and paste everything I said in the last two weeks. Chase has been everything the Bengals could have hoped for when they used the 5th overall pick on him.
Chase added onto his impressive statline through two games, with 4 receptions for 65 yards and 2 TD’s. It was the third straight week where he caught a deep TD. And his second of the game put his tally at 4 on the year. Extremely impressive.
– QB, Joe Burrow
Burrow had himself a great day. He completed 77.8% of his passes against a good Steelers secondary. He was given time in the pocket, which he was able to use to his advantage. This was highlighted on his second TD pass to Chase. Burrow was able to go through his progressions which allowed him to find Chase in the end zone.
In addition to his passing, Burrow looked more comfortable moving around. While the play was called back due to a penalty, he did well on one to escape a free pass rusher and side step other Steelers in the backfield. Had the play counted, it would have been good for 8 or 9 yards. But looking past just the stats, it is good to see him moving well after last year’s injury.
– RB, Joe Mixon
Mixon finally had some room to run. His heavy usage continued as he was handed the ball 18 times. He totaled 90 yards rushing in this one, averaging an impressive 5 yards per carry. His long run was 27 yards. As well, he added 1 reception for 4 yards, putting him at 94 yards from scrimmage.
The Bad:
– Defending the dump offs
Roethlisberger targeted RB Najee Harris a whopping 14 times on Sunday, and 9 of which were caught. He went for 102 yards through the air, with a long of 21. While it is good that they were able to contain him on the ground, the defence did allow him too much space to run after the catch.
– Limit the big plays
The Bengals defence overall did a good job on Sunday. Looking for some negatives, you could say another one was some of the big plays that they gave up. Claypool had a long of 29 yards, McCloud had a long of 24 yards, Harris had a long of 21 yards, Smith-Schuster had a long of 16, and Freiermuth had a long of 15. That is way too many chunk gains given up, and is something the Bengals will need to continue to work on.
Homescreen Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)