by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published November 10, 2026, 8:49 AM
Steelers Have a Job One Problem: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Art of Defensive Survival
Every NFL defense has a problem to solve. Some come gift-wrapped in a running back. Others arrive disguised as a quarterback who can turn third-and-long into a personal insult.
Cincinnati has an entire collection of problems wearing football helmets.
Joe Burrow. Ja’Marr Chase. Tee Higgins.
Three names capable of making a defensive coordinator reconsider his career choices before the second commercial break.
For Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Sunday’s primetime visit to Cincinnati isn’t simply another AFC North fistfight. It’s a chess match against an offense that has been playing with its food lately, armed with a quarterback who doesn’t scare easily and receivers who treat defensive coverage like a polite suggestion.
Graham has a philosophy for handling such dangerous company.
He calls it “Job One.”
And apparently, Cincinnati’s assignment is classified information.
“Oh, yeah. I’m not going to share that one. It’s a good one. I can’t share it, though,” Graham said.
Pressed further, Graham finally surrendered a little intelligence.
“Okay, I’ll say, we’ve got to stop the run. I’ll give you that. It’s a little more detailed and nuanced than that, but yeah, there is a job one.”
Of course there is.
Because stopping Cincinnati’s running game is only the appetizer.
The main course is Burrow, Chase and Higgins, a passing combination that can turn a perfectly respectable defensive game plan into expensive confetti.
And the Steelers know exactly what they’re walking into.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, its defense has rediscovered an old habit: making opposing quarterbacks miserable.
The Steelers enter Sunday riding four consecutive victories, with their defense coming off an eight-sack demolition of Cleveland. Pittsburgh has accumulated 26 sacks through eight games, ranking among the NFL’s best.
And T.J. Watt is beginning to resemble the neighborhood menace everyone remembers.
After finishing last season with seven sacks, Watt already has 7.5 through eight games. That’s more than a statistical rebound. It’s a reminder that one of football’s most disruptive defenders hasn’t surrendered his appetite for destruction.
But Cincinnati presents a different problem.
Burrow has thrown 23 touchdowns, including 16 during the Bengals’ four-game winning streak. Chase has 647 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while Higgins has piled up 758 yards and six scores.
Cincinnati has scored at least 31 points in four straight games.
The Steelers can bring pressure. Cincinnati has become exceptionally good at making it disappear.
Graham has noticed.
“The O-line, they look real cohesive right now,” Graham said, praising Bengals offensive line coach Scott Peters.
And Burrow isn’t exactly the type to panic when the pocket gets crowded.
“The first thing that stands out to me is his toughness,” Graham said. “I just think he’s a throwback quarterback.”
He also admires Burrow’s ability to forget mistakes, remain patient and challenge coverage regardless of the consequences.
That’s what makes Job One so complicated.
Double Chase, and Higgins gets breathing room. Protect against the deep ball, and Cincinnati can attack underneath. Sit back too comfortably, and running back Chase Brown can exploit the space.
Even Pittsburgh’s preferred two-high safety looks aren’t a guaranteed antidote.
“I don’t care if it’s single high. I don’t care if it’s double, [Joe Burrow] doesn’t care,” Graham said. “He’s going to give [Chase] a chance.”
Therein lies the beautiful cruelty of defensive football.
Pittsburgh’s resurgence has been built on pressure, discipline and forcing offenses to play uncomfortable football. Cincinnati’s offense specializes in remaining comfortable when everyone else is losing their minds.
The Steelers won the first meeting 30-27, sealing it with a late Derrick Harmon strip-sack of Burrow.
Sunday night’s rematch features two 6-2 teams fighting for control of the AFC North.
Graham knows stopping the run is only the beginning. The real assignment is making Burrow uncomfortable without allowing Chase and Higgins to turn the secondary into spectators.
Job One sounds simple.
Executing it against Cincinnati?
That’s where the job description gets downright nasty.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
