CHAMPIONSHIP​CHASE

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The Mason Jar is Open!

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The rematch against Cincinnati brought about some stirring new developments that may alter the course of this Steeler season. First and foremost is the injury to Aaron Rodgers. He went down with what has been described as a possible fractured wrist and was replaced by veteran Mason Rudolph. Mason's arrival on the field brought about cheers as opposed to jeers which is a tale-telling sign that fans (at least some of them) were clamoring for a change at quarterback. It would prove to be a fateful move that added spark to a sputtering offense which realistically had been relying on a stiff tin-man to make it run smooth and efficiently. Rudolph's fluidity was quite apparent and it allowed him to spread the ball around to more receivers and stretch the field with easier long-range passing. The Steelers may have just lucked their way into twisting the cap off of an offense that can better compliment their constantly improving defense.

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Another awakening moment occurred in the second quarter when behemoth tight-end Darnell Washington took a pass and galloped 31 yards. On his way to making the league's "plays of the year"  highlight reel, he pushed, shoved and ran over three Bengal would be defenders as if they were cans being kicked down the highway. The play left the Cincinnati players on the ground with 10 yards of turf between them. Without a true number two receiver, its obvious that Washington should be a bigger part of the passing game with several targets per contest.

 

The other development after the dust settled on the 34-12 Bengals beatdown is that the addition of Kyle Dugger to the defense gives the Steelers a back-end thumper who is also a ballhawk. His 74-yard pick six off Joe Flacco in the third quarter was a back-breaker for Cincinnati.

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​2025 AFC NORTH

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Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns

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STEELERS 6-4 (STEELERS 34  BENGALS 12)

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The magic that Joe Flacco displayed in the first meeting between the Bengals and Steelers never materialized in the rematch. This time around he was constantly harassed by the Steelers defense and his receivers were blanketed by a secondary that was determined not to let Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins embarrass them again. Chase had a franchise record 16 catches in the first game; this time he was held to three. And it's a good Las Vegas bet that he will catch no passes in their next game against the Raiders due to a looming suspension for the nasty loogie he hurled at Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey during a face to face confrontation.

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RAVENS  5-5  (RAVENS 23 BROWNS 16)

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Baltimore has ripped off four wins in a row to even their record at 5-5 and now are just a mere game in back of Pittsburgh. At times they struggle and often fall behind early, but they know how to stay in games and win at the end. So, once again the AFC North will come down to their brawls with the Steelers.

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BROWNS 2-8 (BROWNS 16 RAVENS 23)

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In what may turn out to be a good twist of fate, Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders played for the first time in his career when fellow-rookie and starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the first half of their game against Baltimore. Like Gabriel, he was suffocated and hounded by the Ravens defense, but look for a different player if he gets the start in Las Vegas next week. There's no doubt he has better than 5th round talent, but the question is whether head coach Kevin Stefanski will handle the situation right by giving him half if not all of the first team reps leading up to the contest. Prior to his debut its ben reported that he did not practice one snap with the first team offense. Why, coach Stefanski?

 

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BENGALS 3-6  (BENGALS 12 STEELERS 34 )

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Joe Burrow may be able to come back before the season is over, but at this point, is it worth it? No one likes to throw the towel in but the Bengals should probably turn their attention to working in the youth on defense and start to plot ways to get better in that phase of the game. Anything can happen, but the likelihood of them making a late season run for the postseason is at zero percent.

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For more on the Steelers on this site go to our Steel Talkin' page with Ty Miller 2.0, and Matthew Jedd.

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