Bengals Film Room: Cincinnati defense struggles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
From the very first play of the game, it felt like the Cincinnati Bengals defense might have been buying their own hype a bit too much after the win over the Houston Texans.
Going back to the first week of the season against Tampa Bay, this Bengals defense is still getting gashed when teams get the ball to a running back in the passing game. Making the linebackers and safeties tackle out in space so much is a concerning trend for this unit.
The Steelers immediately went to Jaylen Warren for a big gain to start the game by doing just that. Warren gashed the Bengals defense all game long. He finished with 127 yards rushing, going for 7.5 yards per carry on the game. He added 49 receiving yards on the day, including the big play below that started the game for Pittsburgh.
Bad start to the game with Knight taking a bad angle and Friermuth blowing up Bryan Cook for a big play from Warren. Warren feasted against the Bengals defense all game long. pic.twitter.com/MOJp5exSDB
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
The first touchdown for the Steelers came on a deep pass to Roman Wilson. The Bengals defensive backs were lined up close together, and Dax Hill coming across off the snap appeared to confuse Jalen Davis a bit. It was like his controller was disconnected momentarily on a game of Madden, and he was cooked off the line for an easy touchdown for Pittsburgh.
Jalen Davis cooked off the line for the Steelers first touchdown of the game. Might end up regretting not bringing in Kenny Moore. pic.twitter.com/JmPYI3jpXB
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
There were a couple of bright spots for the Bengals defense on Sunday. One of those was the play of rookie edge rusher Cashius Howell. He was one of the only defensive ends to consistently generate pressure and make things uncomfortable at times for Aaron Rodgers throughout the game.
It felt like Cashius Howell was one of the only edge guys that consistently got pressure today. pic.twitter.com/I0VZnDmg3l
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
Another pressure from Cashius Howell helps hold the Steelers to a field goal. pic.twitter.com/6QKKPs2tOI
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
If Cashius Howell starts converting some of these pressures into sacks, watch out. Dude creates immediate pressure even when the Bengals are rushing 3 guys. pic.twitter.com/ld2431aYl9
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
Howell also has been playing solid against the run. He was able to hold his ground on the edge for a stop near the line of scrimmage on a run during the first half. I don't see how the Bengals keep him off the field. He is playing like their best edge rusher, even over veteran addition Boye Mafe. More snaps should continue coming his way as the season progresses.
We need to more snaps for Cashius Howell. pic.twitter.com/1DigDojseO
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
One theme of the day for the Cincinnati defense was their inability to make the initial tackle, and that turned into a first down. Jordan Battle came in way too high on Darnell Washington during the first half of this one. Washington also powered through them later in the game, which we will get to. There is no reason to come in like this against the 300-pound tight end, and the results were as expected.
I mean what the hell do you expect to happen when you come in this high against Darnell Washington?!? pic.twitter.com/YVbljhMdLl
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
This is the second week in a row that I thought Barrett Carter struggled. The missed tackles continue to be an issue for Carter. He's made some splash plays this year, but he has been way too inconsistent overall.
If this doesn't get cleaned up, the Bengals should consider at least making a call to Bobby Wagner. Wagner isn't going to give you a lot in coverage, but at least he has been a reliable tackler during his career.
Too many Barrett Carter missed tackles again this season. Cedric Johnson getting in on it here too. pic.twitter.com/61f6b9NjUV
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
It was another up-and-down performance from Dax Hill on Sunday. He did make a great play on third down to force a Steelers punt. Unfortunately, this was the play right before the muffed punt by Ke'Shawn Williams. This Hill play could have been a much bigger difference maker in the outcome of the game, but the special teams play let the defense down again.
Dax Hill with great coverage to force a punt by the Steelers pic.twitter.com/QlWIeg7Wx3
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
The most inexcusable defensive play of the game came during the last drive for the Steelers. The game was tied 27-27, and the Bengals let Darnell Washington get loose down the sideline for a 47-yard catch-and-run. The initial missed tackle came once again from linebacker Barrett Carter.
Then, you saw a plethora of players decide they didn't want to even make an attempt to truly bring down Washington in the open field. Tacario Davis couldn't get around wide receiver Germie Bernard. DJ Turner just completely stopped running toward him as he got free down the sideline. Jordan Battle was doing who knows what on his attempt to make contact with Washington. Kyle Dugger eventually brought him down, but the damage was done.
These guys get embarrassed by Darnell Washington every single time we play Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/GDgLGvYNQ4
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
The Bengals defense was able to get a stop and hold the Steelers to just 3 points on the possession. Dexter Lawrence recorded his second sack of the game and allowed the Bengals offense to take the field with over 2 minutes and a chance to tie or win the game.
Unfortunately, Joe Burrow and the offense would eventually fumble away their opportunity to pull out a win and a 3-0 start to the season.
Dexter Lawrence getting to Rodgers again to force a field goal. Steelers go up 30-27, but now the Bengals offense had a chance to tie or win the game with a little over 2 minutes left. pic.twitter.com/eGpRIcjgnB
- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 28, 2026
A frustrating team loss 30-27 with all three phases contributing to it. This revamped Bengals defense will have to right the ship quickly for the Bengals to get a win during week 4 against Jacksonville. The Jaguars beat the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots 35-6 on Sunday.
How concerned are you about this defense after they allowed 411 total yards to a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that had been struggling prior to Sunday? Sound off in the comments.