After Further Review: Tough day in Cincinnati

Nov 29, 2021 at 09:50 AM

Mike Prisuta

Steelers.com

The bright spot, if there was one, is we didn't have to wait until the post-mortem to get to the bottom of Bengals 41, Steelers 10.

Head coach Mike Tomlin, who couldn't have been more direct in recognizing the critical nature of what was about to take place in advance of the Steelers' trip to Cincinnati, was brutally honest in a halftime conversation with CBS sideline reporter Melanie Collins.

"We're getting beaten up in the trenches on both sides of the ball," Tomlin assessed to the CBS audience through Collins. "And until we fix those issues up front on both sides it's a waste of time to discuss any other variables."

The Bengals were leading, 31-3, at the time.

In the third and fourth quarters it was more of the same.

The Bengals rushed for 198 yards to the Steelers' 51.

They possessed the ball for 35:20 to the Steelers' 24:40.

It was run and stop the run all day at Paul Brown Stadium.

All of which rendered moot the usual postgame exchanges and debates regarding nuances such as play-calling and personnel packages and what was or wasn't done at a perceived critical juncture.

On offense, the running game was ineffective early (seven carries, 21 yards in a first half in which the Steelers ran 23 offensive plays) and off the table thereafter because of the deficit the Steelers faced.

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward was, as Tomlin had been in advance, direct in lamenting what went wrong on the defensive side of the ball after the fact.

"Not getting off blocks" and ball carriers who "fell forward almost every single time, it felt like," topped Heyward's list.

Bengals running back Joe Mixon took advantage of the former and personified the latter.

And it doesn't get much more basic than that.

The second-quarter sequence on which Bengals turned a 17-3 advantage into a 24-3 lead was as revealing of how the game was being played as it was damaging in terms of the game remaining competitive.

Beginning with a first-and-10 from the Steelers' 47-yard line, Mixon carried seven consecutive times.

He was contacted behind the line of scrimmage twice, on second-and-1 from the Steelers' 21 on a run that resulted in no gain, and again on second-and-goal from the Steelers' 1 on what ended up becoming a 1-yard touchdown run.

The other five carries went for 9, 8, 9, 9 and 5 yards.

And yes, Mixon fell forward on every one of them.

This wasn't Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert exploiting vacated rush lanes to the tune of 93 yards on six carries (even if the 8-yard spin-and-scramble by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow that opened the scoring looked all too familiar).

This was toss right, toss left, repeat as necessary.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Henry Mondeaux (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green (53) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Chris Wormley (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers Special Team Coordinator Danny Smith during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) ]during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller (17) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Joe Haeg (71) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Trai Turner (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Derrek Tuszka (48) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Daniel Archibong (61) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Henry Mondeaux (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Mixon wound up with 165 yards on 28 attempts.

He went for 25 yards the first time he was handed the ball.

He went for 32 yards on his second-to-last carry.

He ran downhill because he could.

"They won that mano-a-mano component of play much too often," Tomlin eventually confirmed at the postgame podium.

Clarity was one thing that wasn't lacking in Cincinnati.

After Further Review: Tough day in Cincinnati

GAME PHOTOS: Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals

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