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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could have the matchup that finally pushes the passing game from promising to dangerous. The Pittsburgh Steelers have leaned on zone coverage with a single-high safety while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been unavailable, a structure that can leave outside receivers with the one-on-one chances Chase and Tee Higgins need.
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Locked On Bengals host Joe Goodberry pointed to Chase’s difficult touchdown catch against Houston as evidence that the offense is nearing a breakthrough. Goodberry said the unit has not fully clicked through two games, but he sees familiar signs from previous Joe Burrow-led offenses that have become more productive after the opening weeks.
Burrow and the Bengals did not have to force targets to Chase in the opener, according to Goodberry, and Houston’s man coverage created opportunities for both Chase and Higgins in Week 2. Pittsburgh presents a different challenge, but its early preference for zone and single-high looks could give Burrow chances to attack downfield if the secondary does not add help over the top.
The test is whether Cincinnati can give Burrow enough time to capitalize. Right tackle Amarius Mims has provided strong early protection, Goodberry said, while left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has been the more vulnerable edge against pressure. The Steelers can move T. J. Watt and bring Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig in waves, making Brown’s matchup a potential determinant of how often Burrow can wait for deeper routes to develop.
Chase remains the offensive storyline with the largest consequence for Sunday: Pittsburgh cannot keep its current coverage tendencies unchanged and expect the Bengals’ best receiver to stay quiet. If the Steelers commit extra resources to Chase, Higgins, tight end Mike Gesicki, and running back Chase Brown have room to make the coverage adjustment costly.
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Cincinnati enters Week 3 with a chance to show its passing attack can punish the defensive looks opponents have used to limit it early. A cleaner plan for protecting Burrow, particularly on the left edge, would give Chase the chances Goodberry believes are coming.
Bengals News and Notes
– Bengals receiver Andrei Iosivas (thumb) is expected to miss four to six weeks after being placed on injured reserve, according to Goodberry. His absence could create more snaps for Cole Burgess or Dante Meyers, while also increasing the appeal of two-tight-end personnel.
– Cincinnati has found early success with 12 personnel, Goodberry said, using tight end Eric All as a physical lead blocker for Chase Brown. That package gives the offense another way to protect Brown Jr. and force Pittsburgh to defend heavier formations.
– Mims’ early development changes the protection equation for the Bengals. Goodberry said the right tackle has not allowed a pressure across 38 pass-protection snaps, which could allow Pittsburgh to concentrate its rush plan on Brown’s side.
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This story was originally published September 24, 2026 at 8:55 PM.