Did Bengals defense show signs of improvement in loss to Steelers?

If the Cincinnati Bengals defense improved against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it wasn't enough improvement. Pittsburgh's defense returned two turnovers for touchdowns in its 34-12 victory over Cincinnati on Nov. 16 at Acrisure Stadium. The deficit was lopsided and the Bengals' defense allowed only 20 points, but it was the plays leading up to the two Kenneth Gainwell receiving touchdowns and two Chris Boswell field goals that proved problematic for a Cincinnati defensive unit that entered the contest ranked as the worst defense in the NFL. Bengals Steelers Chase Ramsey Steelers' Jalen Ramsey says Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase spit at him before ejection Against a Steelers team ranked 29th in total offense, tackling and a lack of timely third-down stops were once again topics of conversation in the Bengals' postgame media scrums. Pittsburgh was 7-for-13 on third-down conversions, and also converted one fourth-down try. Even after quarterback Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the game through injury at halftime, veteran backup Mason Rudolph was about as effective as his future-Hall of Fame teammate. Both quarterbacks threw a touchdown pass to Gainwell, and oversaw drives ending in successful Boswell kicks. It's true that the defensive showing was one of Cincinnati's better outings of the year, as Bengals head coach Zac Taylor asserted afterward. The 20 points scored by Pittsburgh's offense constituted the second-fewest points allowed in a game this season by Cincinnati. Taylor also acknowledged problematic tackling. "It was one of the better games they played," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. "They gave us those opportunities, only allowing 10 points going into halftime after giving up the first drive of the game. I was happy with the punts they forced. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize on offense and get enough points on the board to take advantage, especially getting the ball in the second half. Overall, during the second half, those two (scoring) possessions we just got to get them on the ground. "There's a lot of opportunities. We've got to get them on the ground. Working like crazy. Talking like crazy. We've just got to show up." The Steelers' second half scoring drives were propelled by third-and-long conversions in the second half, including on 3rd-and-11 and 3rd-and-17 situations on the drive that lead to a Boswell field goal for a 13-9 lead. Both conversions came in Pittsburgh territory, and the 3rd-and-17 was a catch-and-run by bruising tight end Darnell Washington. Washington also made a highlight-reel catch and run late in the first half, stiff-arming and tossing Bengals aside as he went. On the drive late drive that resulted in a Gainwell touchdown for a 27-12 lead, the Steelers converted another 3rd-and-11. That was also on Pittsburgh's side of midfield. Later on that drive, with Pittsburgh behind schedule on a 1st-and-23, Gainwell had a catch-and-run to pick up the first down to move Pittsburgh inside the Bengals' 10-yard line. Quarterback Joe Flacco said the Bengals defense showed improvement. Rookie linebacker Barrett Carter wasn't as convinced, though. "I saw slight improvements but just nowhere where it needs to be," Carter said. Of the tackling, Carter said the Bengals were "horrible," adding: "It just needs to be better, all levels."