PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While the offense managed little in the second half, the NFL's highest paid defense couldn't stop Bengals back-up Samaje Perine. The former Oklahoma tailback with three touchdown receptions in a 37-30 Bengals win.
Even when not complemented by lead tailback Joe Mixon, who left the game early in the second half with a possible concussion, the Steelers couldn't find Perine. He matched his career total with those three TD catches.
The first in the first quarter on a swing pass to the right side, following his blockers and going 29 yards for the first touchdown of the game. The second was a pass in the flat. As he caught it, he pushed linebacker Robert Spillane down and went 11 yards for a 17-10 Cincinnati lead. The third was a six-yard TD where he walked the sidelines and into the end zone for an 11-point lead with 4:35 left in the game.
"I think when you're dealing with the pass rush, you have to be able to have something to accommodate that or counter that, and we have to be a defense that adjusts," Defensive Captain Cam Heyward said of Perine's game. "If they do one thing, they can't keep going back to it well. We did not clean it up today on defense."
"It was lack of execution," said TJ Watt. "I mean, they had a good game plan for us clearly. They were able to move the ball down the field. We weren't able to hold them to field goals and help our offense out. We just need to finish plays. I mean, myself personally, I only get so many one-on-ones in a game. When I get
them, I need to execute, and I need to finish on the quarterback, and I wasn't able to do that tonight."
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he wouldn't have a game like he had in the opener again with four interceptions. He was right. He did throw a pair of picks on tipped passes, he also threw for four touchdowns and for 355 yards.
Minus star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Burrow found Tee Higgins nine times for 148 yards. The third best performance against the Steelers defense this year.
"I think they do a great job of scheming him to get open," said Steelers corner Levi Wallace. "Not giving us the same looks, different routes when they do show the same looks. So, he's a good player. Good players make good plays."
"It's definitely frustrating," said Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. "Good teams and good defense are consistent. We haven't been consistent and so we got to find that. Whatever it takes, watching more film."
"Everyone in this room has to care."
Notes
· Pat Freiermuth tied a career-high with 8 receptions for 79 yards
· George Pickens had the longest touchdown of his career, 24 yards
· Steelers were 3 for 5 in the red zone, Cincinnati 3 for 3
· After 7 sacks in the first matchup, Steelers finished with 2 Sunday
Injuries
Steelers Jaylen Warren left the game early with a hamstring injury. The rookie had one catch for nine yards and no carries. One of the team's best special teams players, Miles Boykin left with an oblique injury in the first quarter and was unable to return.
Inactives
QB Mason Rudolph
CB Josh Jackson
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
G Kendrick Green
Up Next
Sunday was scheduled to be a prime-time game, no moving the Steelers next matchup. Indianapolis hosts next Monday night.
