PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Steelers were accused of giving up. They were being clowned from the sideline by Joe Mixon as they lost 41-10 in a game that was over in the second quarter. Does that still resonate as the Steelers prepare to go to play in Cincinnati on Sunday?
"Of course you do, especially in the fashion that we lost," said Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. "There are certain remarks said after the game you pay attention to. You think about it, let it resonate in the back of your mind. I'm not necessarily dwelling on it, but I remember."
"It's a new season, if I was to hold a grudge and be petty, which I probably am," said Steelers Defensive Captain Cam Heyward. "At the end of the day, it's a chance to go 1-0."
"What was our record last year? It wasn't great. It doesn't tally on from last year. It's a new season and I'm just worried about getting a 'W'."
Most of the players we talked to are downplaying revenge and there are a number of newcomers who weren't a part of it. It was ugly, Bengals scored on six of their first seven possessions. What they really believed keyed it was a career-high 165 yards from Mixon and he played only three quarters.
"Run fits, knocking the line of scrimmage back," Heyward said of what the Bengals did last year. "They do a really good job of not only being in the A, B and C gaps. It transfers out to those C, D and E gaps that our corners, our linebackers and some me have to fill. These are all the things we all have to be a lot more clean on this year."
"It all comes down to team defense, tackling well. They want to get Mixon on DBs, they feel like that's a win. We don't want to get to a point that it's one-on-one. We want to corral it, be ready for the cutbacks and just be physical."
"At the end of the day it's the 2022 team, 2021 wasn't good. We have to wear that. I have to own that. It's about seizing this opportunity and understanding this game counts more because it's the AFC North. These games count more, you have to approach them as life or death for your team."
"They got our number last year twice. Both teams are different, but who would you rather open up with. The AFC Champions."
"They put in enough work to reward themselves to go to the Super Bowl. Obviously they lost, but it's a feat in itself to make it that far. With all of those skill positions, a new offensive line. They are feeling pretty good and you should. We are excited to play them and we'll see what happens at the end."
Less playing time
Heyward played the second-most snaps of his career (955) in 2021. He doesn't want to play that many this year.
"I don't have to play every snap," Heyward said. "I'm not looking to play every snap. I'm just trying to maximize the snaps I get. If we can have a great rotation, go out there and dominate. I'm good with it."
Heyward said they were pretty much down to four linemen for a majority of last season. They added Larry Ogunjobi, Tyson Alualu returns, plus Chris Wormley and another year of seasoning for Montravious Adams and Isaiahh Loudermilk.
If that group improves, not only will Heyward get a break, but likely it will help limit the Joe Mixon issues as well.
