The Steelers' defense passed the eye test even in defeat last Saturday against Cincinnati, an assessment that was confirmed on that stat sheet and through defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's further review of the video.
"I thought we were better, absolutely," Austin maintained. "And that's just kinda how we approach things, we find areas that we need to work and we gotta work better at them and be better at them.
"I thought our guys made strides last week."
The Steelers lost to the Bengals, 19-17. But they snapped quarterback Joe Burrow's eight-game streak of throwing for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Burrow completed 36 of 47 passes for 277 yards, but just one went for a touchdown.
The Bengals were, likewise, limited to just one touchdown on four trips into the Steelers' red zone. Cincinnati had averaged 29.5 points per game during the four-game winning streak the Bengals brought with them to Acrisure Stadium and finished their season sixth in the NFL at 27.8 points per game.
The Steelers prepare for the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back D'Shawn Jamison (5) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Harper (40) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54), Pittsburgh Steelers guard Doug Nester (72) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jamal Agnew (17) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Max Scharping (64) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman John Leglue (68) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A point of emphasis for the Steelers' defense in advance of the Cincinnati rematch had been tightening up against motions, stacks and bunches, according to free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Although the problems against such formations were for the most part addressed, Austin expects to see them again.
"Absolutely, because that's what people do," he continued. "They're gonna move people. They're not gonna allow you to just take a picture of what they're doing and then snap the ball.
"We've gotta be able to handle the movements, the stacks, the bunches, the jet-motions, the regular motions, all those things and be really efficient at it."
A problem specific to defending Baltimore, where the Steelers open the playoffs on Saturday against the Ravens, is how to contain quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, two of the best in the business at their respective positions.
"When I look at this team the ball and all the football, really, runs through No. 8 (Jackson) and No. 22 (Henry)," Austin observed. "We have to take care of those guys first."
Henry carried 13 times for 65 yards and a touchdown but also lost a fumble in the Steelers' 18-16 victory over the Ravens on Nov. 17 at Acrisure.
He carried 24 times for 162 yards in the regular-season rematch, a 34-17 Ravens victory on Dec. 21 in Baltimore.
"We've got to do things better than we did the last time out, and that means making sure we shut down the running lanes and we tackle," Austin emphasized. "Early in the game, (Henry) got some explosive runs. And when he gets explosive runs and gets going, it's hard, and it makes it hard at that point, because now you try to focus on him, and that opens it up for Lamar.
"So we just have to do a better job overall in terms of not letting him get started, trying to eliminate the splash runs early and then kind of settle in the game and see how it goes."
