Part 7/10:
However, Pittsburgh's defensive shortcomings, notably failing to contain Cincinnati's star receiver Jamar Chase, who saw 25 targets and caught 16 passes, opened the door for Cincinnati to stay alive in the title race. Carton criticizes Mike Tomlin’s defensive scheme, or lack thereof, for not doubling Chase or adjusting to Cincinnati’s offensive strategies—an uncharacteristic lapse for a coach known for defensive excellence.
This loss means that division race is far from over, and the Steelers will need to regroup quickly. The result underscores how fragile NFL seasons are and how a single game can drastically alter playoff outlooks.