The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time this season on Sunday. It’s on both sides. Combining the two rivals in the AFC North, More problematic than Festivus’ Frank Costanza. The Bengals are in good shape offensively, but they have bigger problems defensively. They can’t even rely on each other in the secondary.
That’s not me saying that, it’s the Bengals saying that. Some of that is just the nature of attrition as we have had injuries that have forced changes in the lineup. But it’s rare to hear a pro talk about a teammate like S. Geno Stone does. At least on good teams.
“I look at who’s on the field with me and figure out which side of the field I can trust,” Stone said. via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “Now I know that if I know this guy is winning consistently, I can lean in a different direction while he’s in the post.”
The Bengals opened the season with Dax Hill and Cam Taylor-Britt at cornerback, Smith and Vonn Bell at safety, and former Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton in the slot. However, Hill suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5, and the Bengals benched Taylor Britt for his play.
He was replaced by DJ Turner, but he also went down with an injury. Meanwhile, the Bengals rotated Bell with Jordan Battle. Hilton and Stone, the only other AFC North team expatriates, have maintained a steady presence.
Baby spoke with special teams coordinator Darin Simmons, the Bengals’ longest-serving coach. He said consistency was the “ultimate thing” in football, but this year’s turnover has hindered that. “If it’s a revolving door, consistency will never develop,” he says. “You never develop trust, so everyone is always looking at you the same way.”
That’s why the NFL needs a starting safety, as Geno Stone told reporters that he felt he had to decide who he could and couldn’t trust before every snap. Usually players just claim to trust everyone or make general comments. “We need to trust each other.” But this is not the case in the land of Bengal. No, they will come out and tell you.
The Bengals have a lot to answer for after coming off a bye. While otherwise considered a Super Bowl contender, their defense essentially cost them the season. Barring a miraculous comeback and some luck, they have no chance of making it to the postseason.
But there’s no doubt that having them play two more times will put a damper on the Steelers’ season. The Steelers lost to the Browns and lost the right to seed the playoffs. Of course, the Bengals would love to be in their position. It’s either the standings or the stability of the secondary.
