One of the challenges on defense in the upcoming Cleveland rematch should be as familiar as it is critical for the Steelers' defense.
Containing the quarterback in the pocket is usually on the to-do list, but in the case of Jameis Winston it's even more imperative.
As it was last Sunday in Cincinnati against Joe Burrow.
"Obviously, Jameis was a pro baseball prospect and Joe was a really good basketball player and those guys have really good spacial awareness and feel," Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin observed. "We have to be really good in our rush lanes to try to make sure we collapse them, know where the escape lanes, based on our call, where they may be and be aware of that and how to close them down."
Winston was able to periodically escape the pocket, extended plays and complete passes down the field against the Steelers on Nov. 21 in Cleveland. He also scrambled for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the Steelers' 2-yard line in the fourth quarter of the Browns' 24-19 victory over the Steelers in the snow.
And head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his displeasure with the Steelers' inability to prevent Burrow from stepping up in the pocket to CBS sideline reporter Evan Washburn at halftime of last Sunday's 44-38 victory over the Bengals in Cincinnati.
"That's always gonna be an ongoing thing when you have good quarterbacks who have a good feel and good vision," Austin continued. "We just gotta continue to work at our craft to try to be a step better than they are."
The Steelers' defense limited the Bengals to 16 first downs, 250 total net yards and 17 points through three quarters at Paycor Stadium (seven of Cincinnati's 24 points to that juncture had resulted from a pick-six).
The Steelers prepare for the Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Julius Welschof (45) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jamal Agnew (17) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Eku Leota (53) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (48) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Eku Leota (53) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (48) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Julius Welschof (45) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko (96) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
But Cincinnati's final two possessions produced a seven-play, 70-yard drive for a touchdown in 2:27 and a five-play, 64-yard march in 1:14 for another score that pulled the Bengals to within six.
The latter included a 49-yard completion from Burrow to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
The former was comprised in part by a 20-yard completion to running back Chase Brown, a 17-yard catch by wide receiver Andrei Iosivas and a 24-yard defensive pass interference penalty against cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
"We just didn't do the things that we needed to do in those type of situations," Austin said. "When they're in a two-minute mode and they need multiple scores our job is to make sure our rush and coverage are working together and we're not giving up big chunk plays, and we did the exact opposite.
"I'm not gonna say we hand a handle on it (prior to the last two possessions), we just didn't execute as well as we wanted to those last two drives."
The DPI against Porter occurred on a play on which he was also flagged for defensive holding (that one was declined).
Porter committed six penalties in the game (four were enforced).
"We ask Joey to do a lot," Austin said. "We put him on the backside, sometimes, one-on-one, with the best receivers. Or, it may not be the best receiver but he's the guy who's not getting a lot of help. So some days are gonna be rougher than others. It's just a matter of getting back in the lab and continuing to play.
"One of the things I told him, and I always tell corners this, it's always the next play. Because if you get caught in your own mind and you're chasing something that happened a while ago that you can't fix right now, it doesn't make any sense. So let's just move on to the next play. Let's be better the next play. He's done a good job and I'm sure he'll bounce back."
