The Pittsburgh Steelers running game is working better than it has since Le’Veon Bell was in his prime, while Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase seems far way from a return to action.
? The 4-5 Washington Commanders knocked off the 8-0 Philadelphia Eagles, 32-21, on Monday night. Washington also delivered the Steelers their first loss of the season in 2020 when they were 11-0. Washington was 4-7 at the time.
? The Steelers’ two-game run total of 361 yards is the highest since Weeks 2-3 of the 2014 season (363). The Steelers rushed for a season-high 217 yards against the Saints.
? Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and A.J. Ross will call the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday for CBS.
? Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase most likely won’t be active on Sunday against the Steelers, as he’s still walking with crutches, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Chase suffered a hip injury in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons.
? Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he’s optimistic about defensive tackle D.J. Reader being able to play this weekend but they’ll take it day to day. Reader was activated off injured reserve on Monday after being sidelined with a left knee injury since late September.
? Chris Dokish on Twitter shared an interesting story from Jim Wexell’s new book on the Steelers draft history. Dokish cited a part in the book where rookie starter Mel Blount was called by a local newspaper writer “the laughingstock of the Steelers’ secondary”, and they had to stop player introductions because he was booed so much. Blount went on to win four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s and had a Hall of Fame career.
? Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith received the highest Pro Football Focus grade (91.4) in the Steelers’ 20-10 win over the Saints. Highsmith recorded five total tackles (three solos), two sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble against New Orleans. Highsmith now has 8.5 sacks in nine games.
? Ben Roethlisberger had Heath Miller on his latest Footbahlin podcast to share stories.
STEELERS SCHEDULE
? Mike Tomlin will speak at noon. — Alan Saunders
AROUND THE NETWORK
