The Steelers continue division play this week with a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Bengals. I spoke with Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle ahead of the contest.
1. The Bengals made a move to acquire AFC North veteran Joe Flacco ahead of last week’s game. How did the offense look in his debut? Can they compete for the playoffs with him under center?
Anthony Cosenza: Cincinnati’s offense sputtered for the first two quarters, but began to show life before the half. Although they moved the ball, it set up a would-be NFL record 67-yard attempt by Evan McPherson, who missed it (although he actually made the first attempt before being iced).
In the second half, Flacco and Co. found
some rhythm. He and Ja’Marr Chase look comfortable, with Flacco hitting some solid back-shoulder throws and Chase doing ridiculous Chase things. Tee Higgins was also solid, despite tight coverage throughout the game.
All of Cincinnati’s points came in the final two quarters, and they actually could/should have made it closer, if not for a critical drop on third down to convert by Andrei Iosivas (he had three of those), forcing them to settle for a field goal.
All in all, the Bengals needed Flacco to be competent, and he was that and then some. Still, this offense’s penchant for falling down early remains one of its many Achilles Heels.
2. Chase Brown was seemingly a breakout player in 2024, but the Bengals are struggling to run the ball this year. They currently rank last in the league with 56.7 rushing yards per game. What has been the biggest contributor to the run game woes?
AC: There is a combination of factors for the lack of a rush offense for the Bengals. The offensive linemen, particularly the older veterans, aren’t getting push, while the team seemingly runs in predictable situations.
Brown hadn’t been making as many decisive cuts and moves as we have seen in the past couple of years, but it’s difficult to do so when contact occurs immediately after receiving the handoff. Still, Samaje Perine, a bigger back, has seen a little more success lately, so I expect to see him get some more looks going forward.
All in all, it’s a combination of scheme, decisions by the backs, and porous blocking that have all contributed.
3. Cincinnati changed defensive coordinators this offseason. What are some of the biggest differences between Al Golden’s defense and former DC Lou Anarumo’s? And is there any regret seeing what Big Lou is doing in Indianapolis with the Colts?
AC: They still play a lot of man and try to bring some safeties in the box, but there’s a wider variety of blitzing. There is also the puzzling decision of dropping EDGEs Trey Hendrickson and/or Joseph Ossai into coverage, but we’ve actually seen some turnovers occur in those formations (happened last week in Green Bay with a red zone interception by Cincinnati).
I will say that they do fly to the ball a bit more than they did last year. They’ll miss tackles from time to time, but if they make a mistake, it will be at 110 mph. Another positive is that they are more opportunistic on tipped ball interceptions than in recent memory.
It’s still an imperfect unit, though, as they have missed tackles and have allowed some mind-boggling third-and-long conversions.
4. Who are some under-the-radar players that could make a big impact on this game?
AC: DJ Turner is one, though I don’t know how “under-the-radar” he is to Steelers faithful. The former second-round pick has really come into his own this year and has supplanted Cam Taylor-Britt as one of the starting corners. Turner had five (!) passes defended against the Packers, one of which turned into an interception, and has 12 in six games this year.
On offense, keep an eye on wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley. He has been buried on the wide receiver depth chart, but his lone catch in 2025 was a highlight reel touchdown, and with Iosivas struggling this year, he might get some looks this week.
5. Fan Duel has the visiting Steelers as 5.5-point favorites in this game. What is your final score prediction?
AC: This is really tough because Flacco looked decent Sunday and he knows the AFC North very well, but he has still only been with the team a week as of this writing, and the Steelers have ALWAYS given the Bengals fits.
Hendrickson didn’t practice Monday after leaving the game Sunday with a back issue, and that would be a massive vacancy if he can’t go. Hybrid WR/TE Mike Gesicki will also be out, which hurts.
I think the Bengals keep it interesting, but until they prove everyone else otherwise, this should be a Steelers win by around a touchdown. Probably something like 26-20.
