The Cincinnati Bengals took pride in shutting down Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens during their 19-17 Week 18 victory. Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt didn’t mince words when reflecting on the defense’s success against Pittsburgh’s top playmaker.
“Everybody who guarded him ate today,” Taylor-Britt said, as quoted by ESPN’s Ben Baby. “They didn’t do s*. That was good on our end. That’s their momentum grabber, and we didn’t let them get no momentum.**”
Pickens’ Performance Struggles
Pickens, typically a key figure in Pittsburgh’s offense, had a night to forget:
- Targets: 6
- Receptions: 1
- Yards: 0
His outing marked one of the least productive games of his young career. This is especially concerning as Pickens, returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks, has struggled to regain his rhythm.
- In Week 17 against the Chiefs, he managed just three receptions for 50 yards.
- Against Cincinnati, Pickens was targeted in crucial moments but failed to deliver.
- On a 3rd-and-8 in the third quarter, he dropped a pass that could’ve extended a drive deep into Bengals territory.
- On the Steelers’ final drive, he couldn’t track a deep pass from Russell Wilson on 3rd-and-12, leaving Pittsburgh short of a potential game-winning field goal opportunity.
Bengals Defense Steps Up
The Bengals’ secondary delivered one of its best performances of the season, with Taylor-Britt leading the charge. The unit’s ability to neutralize Pickens disrupted Pittsburgh’s offense, which has often relied on his big-play ability to generate momentum.
Taylor-Britt’s remarks underscore the Bengals’ focus on limiting Pickens’ influence. By cutting off that avenue, they forced the Steelers into a disjointed offensive performance.
Steelers’ Postseason Concerns
Pittsburgh heads into the postseason with several issues, and Pickens’ recent lack of production is near the top of the list. For the Steelers to make any sort of playoff run, they’ll need the wideout to return to his game-changing form.
- Pickens’ chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson, who joined midseason, remains a work in progress.
- With the playoffs looming, Pittsburgh’s offensive identity is uncertain, especially with Pickens struggling to find consistency.
What’s Next?
The Steelers will need to address their offensive woes quickly to avoid an early playoff exit. For Pickens, the Bengals’ critique should serve as motivation to bounce back and re-establish himself as Pittsburgh’s premier playmaker when it matters most.
