Steelers Predicted To Get 'Absolutely Steamrolled' In Week 3

The Pittsburgh Steelers are already in what feels like a must-win Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals after the offense has shown no signs of life through two games. Reuniting Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy was supposed to bring Pittsburgh back to life on offense, but so far they aren't seeing eye to eye. With one touchdown in two games, the offense must gain traction against a tough Bengals defense led by its defensive front. 

Bad is an understatement for Pittsburgh's offense; they are currently a bottom-five unit. There have been plenty of issues: the offensive line, a lack of separation from wide receivers, and the quarterback's mobility limitations. So far, the new scheme McCarthy has implemented has not gotten to the players and hasn't been very effective overall. It's still early, but it's very clear the unit has given little hope that things can be turned around. Even running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle have struggled out of the gate.

The Steelers are now going against a defense in the Bengals that has flipped the script from years past and now appears to be a unit they can rely on to win games. Their new additions, Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, and Bryan Cook, are already contributing in a big way. With Joe Burrow behind arguably the best offensive line of his career and a reliable defense, the Bengals are suddenly a team to fear in the AFC. 

CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson recently picked the Bengals to steamroll the Steelers after what he's seen from the Black and Gold in the last two weeks. Wilson doesn't think they're very good and believes Cincinnati is a much-improved team that will have no issues at Acrisure Stadium. 

"They're going to absolutely steamroll the Steelers. The Steelers stink number one; Joe Burrow is being a little better protected number two. We saw the BMAT clip with Coach [Bill] Cowher where they got motivated in 2005 when TJ Houshmandzadeh wiped his shoes with the Terrible Towel, and they went on to win the Super Bowl that year; this is not that."

In 2005, the Bengals walked into Heinz Field and beat the Steelers 38-31 in a game that would wind up a tie-breaker for the AFC North division title. After the game, a video surfaced of former Bengals wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh wiping his feet with the Terrible Towel, disrespecting the towel and Steel City. Pittsburgh responded by sending the Bengals home in the Wild Card Round and winning the Super Bowl as the sixth seed. 

The Steelers haven't won a playoff game in nine years and are clearly in no position to win a Super Bowl currently, but that doesn't mean a bounce back is impossible. Past years have shown this is a very winnable game for the team. The defense as a whole has been a bright spot for the Steelers, and the pass rush has lived up to expectations. TJ Watt has been a thorn in Burrow's side since he was drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

The secondary has been short-handed through the first two games, with Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott not yet seeing action. Yet, they've been able to smother opposing offenses and limit big plays. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are as good as it gets in the NFL and will, without a doubt, be their hardest challenge so far.  

Steelers Aren't Out Of It Just Yet

Things may not look good in Pittsburgh with a historically bad offense and a new head coach, but the defense's performance is a breath of fresh air. Mike Tomlin's defense is gone, and it shows in the scheme and personnel deployment. Tomlin's past teams would have bounced back with a win in a game that seems destined for annihilation. The roster is mostly the same as in 2025, with a couple of new additions; McCarthy may follow Tomlin's lead there. 

Just two weeks into the NFL season, no definitive judgments can be made about the Steelers just yet, but the offense will need to show some signs of life against the Bengals if they want any hope of the playoffs this year, and the defense needs to limit the big plays.