The Steelers will play their third straight AFC North game on Sunday when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
The Steelers take an 8-3 record, and first place in the AFC North into the game, while the Bengals are fighting to get back in the win column, sitting at 4-7 after losing their last two games.
It will be a classic AFC North matchup, with an explosive Bengals offense facing a stingy Steelers defense.
"Defensively they're good at all three levels," said Coach Zac Taylor. "They get after the passer, they create turnovers. They play with really great chemistry and cohesion. They are a really difficult group."
The Bengals weighed in on the defense, quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Patrick Queen and more.
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Coach Zac Taylor on what he sees from the Steelers:
"They're a good football team. They're having a good year. They're talented in all three phases. They're making plays in all three phases. They're playing with a lot of confidence. They're playing physical. They've done a great job on offense. They're running the ball well.
"They've got a lot of playmakers. Russell's doing a good job managing the offense, making plays in the pass game. (George) Pickens is somebody you've got to be aware of. In the kicking game they're doing an excellent job.
"Defensively they're good at all three levels. They get after the passer, they create turnovers. They play with really great chemistry and cohesion. They are a really difficult group."
Quarterback Joe Burrow on Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson:
"Obviously one of the best. He's been fun to watch for a long time. High level playmaker. I admire the way he throws the football. He throws it consistently with great spin, velocity and touch to all levels of the field. I have admired him for a long time."
Burrow on if he knows Wilson:
"I met him a couple of times. I know his family a little bit. Good people."
Receiver Ja'Marr Chase on the Steelers defense:
"They are up front killing it right now. The secondary is pretty smooth too, but up front is really the biggest key right now. They've got good linebackers too that are moving around."
Taylor on what he has seen from the Steelers secondary:
"They get home with the rush, so I think that is the starting point for them, getting after the passer. A lot of made is what people try to do to the edges. Their interior guys can really rush the passer as well. They do a great job up front with those guys.
"Their linebackers, they'll pressure the nickel, the safety, the backers. Those guys will add on quickly as well. They just try to suffocate you in the pocket and prevent you from being able to go down the field.
"They've got good corners, good safeties. They have great range. They are sticky in coverage. So, it makes it difficult to get the ball down there."
Burrow on his appreciation for Coach Mike Tomlin never having a losing record:
"It's hard to win in this league, no matter who you have out there. To have that on your resume speaks a lot to how you go about your business day in and day out."
Chase on the Steelers defense making big plays:
"Not too many big plays. A lot of the interceptions were pretty much thrown to them."
Burrow on if playing the Steelers is different than playing the Ravens or Browns:
"It isn't much. All three teams have really good pass rushers. They're going to be able to affect the throw in a lot of different ways, whether it's being physical in the secondary, or getting your hands up on quick game or hitting you after the play. They're always similar games."
Chase on if they will change things knowing what the Steelers are like up front:
"Not really. A little bit, but at the same time I've got to beat the defensive ends, the defensive tackles from trying to make a play. I've got to speed my route up. At the same time I've got to still be in sync with Joe."
Burrow on if the Steelers defense plays any different against them than they do against other teams:
"It's tough to tell because we haven't had both Tee (Higgins) and Ja'Marr (Chase) out there at the same time since 2021. That was before we became who we are. They haven't changed much, but those two guys haven't been out there. We'll adapt to what we see, but expect the unexpected."
Chase on where Minkah Fitzpatrick ranks on his 'most-hated' list:
"Minkah doesn't even rank on my most hated list. I don't have a problem with Minkah."
Burrow on the Steelers not having as many sacks, but their effectiveness on downfield passing:
"They have great players up front so it's hard to hold onto the ball long enough to push the ball down the field. Teams haven't really tried to do that because of their guys up front. Teams try to run the ball, quick play-action, get the ball on the perimeter. You don't want to let those edge rushers get off the ball, make you push up into the pocket into their really good interior rushers, so you got to play the game a certain way."
Taylor on what linebacker Patrick Queen has added to the defense:
"He's done a great job. He did a great job in Baltimore. He's done a great job in Pittsburgh. We've always had a lot of respect for him."
Burrow on what stands out about the additions to the Steelers secondary:
"They're physical. They're really good tacklers. Their safeties are two of the best tandems in the league, I have a lot of respect for those guys the way that they're playing right now, the way they disguise their coverages. You just consistently see them make open field tackles on plays that should have been explosives, and they come out and make an open field tackle to limit that. So, we're going to have to be great in the open field, making guys miss and create plays."
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