# Steelers blitz Burrow to counter Bengals' offense

> Steelers target Burrow with blitzes and man coverage to neutralize Bengals' top receivers
- Title: Steelers blitz Burrow to counter Bengals' offense · CBS Sports
- Summary: Steelers target Burrow with blitzes and man coverage to neutralize Bengals' top receivers Steelers should blitz Joe Burrow and play man coverage to counter…
- Keywords: steelers, bengals, joe burrow, ja'marr chase, tee higgins, nfl, blitz, man coverage, patrick graham, aaron rodgers, mike mccarthy, t.j. watt
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-should-blitz-bengals-qb-joe-burrow
- Published: 2026-09-24T14:38:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: steelers, bengals, joe burrow, ja'marr chase, tee higgins, nfl, blitz, man coverage, patrick graham, aaron rodgers, mike mccarthy, t.j. watt
## Bengals' passing attack
Bengals' Pro Bowl trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins leads NFL in completion percentage, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

> Bengals' Pro Bowl passing game trio of quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and wide receiver Tee Higgins is as high flying as it gets in the NFL today
## Steelers' offensive struggles
Steelers' offense ranks bottom-three in scoring, total offense, and third-down conversion with the worst stats through two games of any season.
## Burrow's blitz vulnerability
Burrow has been blitzed on 37% of dropbacks, the 10th-highest rate in the league, with the highest career rate and lowest expected points added against blitzes.
## Chase's man coverage weakness
Chase has been targeted just once on 13 routes against man coverage with no catches, making him vulnerable to this strategy.
## Higgins' man coverage risk
Higgins has been targeted on 58.3% of routes against man coverage, catching 5 of 7 for 105 yards, creating a high risk for the Steelers.
## Steelers' blitz plan
Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham should blitz Burrow and play man coverage to counter Bengals' top receivers.
## Key takeaway

Steelers should blitz Joe Burrow and play man coverage to counter Bengals' high-flying offense