The Steelers' Nightmare: Joe Flacco's Revenge
In a thrilling Thursday Night Football game, the Cincinnati Bengals pulled off an upset victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving Mike Tomlin's fears about Joe Flacco's move from Cleveland to Cincinnati fully realized. The post-game celebrations and chants of "Thank-you, Cleve-land!" from the remaining fans must have been a bitter pill for Tomlin to swallow.
Tomlin's paranoia about Flacco's impact on the Bengals' offense proved to be well-founded. Flacco, in his first week with the team, led the Bengals to a 13th victory over the Steelers, flushing a month of positive momentum down the drain. This week's "Airing of Grievances" will delve into the many issues that contributed to this defeat.
Tomlin's Flacco Fear Factor
Tomlin's comments ahead of the Dublin game revealed his concerns about Flacco, which escalated into paranoia this week. His criticism of Cleveland's decision to trade Flacco to Cincinnati was a tell-tale sign. The Steelers' performance against Flacco was a textbook case of overthinking and underperforming. They played with a fear-induced paralysis, treating Flacco like a legendary Joe Montana rather than the veteran he is.
Flacco's performance was exceptional, with 342 yards and three touchdowns. He even added a nifty run to his repertoire, showcasing his all-around skills. And let's not forget Ja'Marr Chase, who caught 16 passes and looked like the legendary Jerry Rice out there.
Run Game Regression and Defensive Disappointment
The Bengals' run game, previously the worst in the NFL, underwent a remarkable transformation, rushing for 142 yards. Chase Brown, who had been held in check all season, broke free for 108 yards. The Steelers' rush defense, which had been a laughing stock at the end of the 2024 season, continued to struggle, yielding over 400 yards in the first three weeks of 2025. Despite recent improvements, the Bengals' run game exposed the Steelers' defensive vulnerabilities once again.
The big-play defensive players, usually a strength for the Steelers, were largely absent. The Bengals' offense, led by Flacco, dominated the game, creating few turnovers and just a handful of sacks. T.J. Watt, usually a game-changer, was held in check until late in the fourth quarter. The vaunted pass rush, which had been so effective the week before, was unable to get to Flacco, who picked them apart behind a leaky offensive line.
Offensive Struggles and Tricky Plays
The Steelers' offense struggled with tricky plays, botching a flea-flicker attempt on the second drive. Aaron Rodgers and the offense seemed out of sync, and the play ultimately stalled. The Steelers' inability to execute these plays effectively is a concern. Despite some bright spots, like Rodgers connecting with Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard touchdown, the offense overall lacked consistency.
Penalty Problems and Costly Mistakes
The Steelers entered the game with a poor penalty record, and their performance on Thursday only exacerbated the issue. Despite Tomlin's warnings, his team committed seven penalties in the first half alone. Defensive backs, particularly Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, were targeted by the officials, drawing multiple flags. The penalties proved costly, especially in the first half, and the team struggled to recover from these mistakes.
So, what's next for the Steelers? Will they be able to bounce back from this defeat? And how will Tomlin address the issues that plagued his team? Join the discussion in the comments and share your thoughts on this controversial loss and the future of the Steelers.
