Tim Benz: Big Ben, 3rd down 'D', special teams among Steelers 'Feats of Strength' during Bengals beatdown

Now that was a 60-minute game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Well, maybe 50-55 minutes. But close enough as they smoked the Cincinnati Bengals, 36-10, Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field.

For perhaps just the second time this season — despite nine wins in nine tries — the undefeated Steelers were better than their opposition for both halves and four quarters. Just like they were in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns during a 38-7 beatdown.

In Sunday’s case, the opposition was the Cincinnati Bengals, who lived down to their usual reputation.

So it should surprise no one that our “Feats of Strength” and “Airing of Grievances” is pretty lopsided to the positive end of things.

FEATS OF STRENGTH

Same thing next week?: A week off from practice because of covid-19 protocols didn’t seem to bother quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Nor did it impact timing with his receivers.

Despite not having any practice time until a glorified walkthrough Saturday, Roethlisberger was 27 of 46 with four touchdowns, no interceptions, 333 yards and a 110.1 rating.

The balance among the pass catchers was excellent. Diontae Johnson stood out with six catches, 116 yards and a touchdown.

A thing of beauty‼️@_BigBen7 | @Juiceup__3

? FOX ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/V2wy2ttQ4S

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 15, 2020

Six other receivers caught multiple passes, including nine receptions and a touchdown for JuJu Smith-Schuster and two scores for Chase Claypool.

How about a hat tip for the offensive line? Roethlisberger wasn’t sacked. Big Ben’s ability (and willingness) to throw the ball quickly played a huge role, but the pass protection was good enough to get the job done.

Grip and rip: It looked like the Steelers employed Baltimore Ravens-esque “grip-and-rip” tactics to wrestle the ball back from Cincinnati. On one occasion, it worked when Cameron Sutton stripped the ball from Tee Higgins. Steven Nelson recovered the fumble.

Sutton with the strip, @Nelson_Island with the recovery ?

? FOX ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/knQIu3HSX7

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 15, 2020

Ola Adeniyi also forced a fumble on a punt return after the Steelers’ first offensive possession. Derek Watt helped with a big hit, too. And Vince Williams plastered Samaje Perine in the third quarter.

In general, the Steelers were hitting hard. A lot. And for the most part, they stayed free of flags on those hits.

Bengals thirsty for third downs: The Steelers offense wasn’t great on third downs early.

We’ll get to that.

But they were excellent in that category on defense. The Bengals were 0 for 13.

That’s an encouraging improvement. When it comes to third-down defense, the Steelers were 20th in the league entering Sunday’s game at 44.25%.

We’re back, baby!: The special teams bounced back big after last week’s debacle in Dallas.

Adeniyi forced that fumble on a punt return. Chris Boswell made all six of his place kicks in awful wind. None were blocked.

Like last week, Boswell had a beautiful placement of a kickoff just a foot or two away from the visitor’s sideline in the first quarter. And Ray-Ray McCloud busted a 43-yard punt return to set up the Steelers’ final touchdown.

Danny Smith’s units had been good this year, especially since punter Jordan Berry was reacquired. The Cowboys game might have been a fluke.

Also, Berry bombed a 58-yard punt in the third quarter, and Justin Layne made a strong tackle in coverage on it. Then, at the start of the fourth quarter, Berry pinned another punt at the two-yard line.

AIRING OF GRIEVANCES

Running game lame: It’s getting a little too familiar writing this one, but the Steelers run game was inadequate once more.

It totaled just 44 yards on 20 carries. James Conner gained a meager 36 yards on 13 attempts, and three handoffs to McCloud and Claypool went for minus-4 yards.

Thankfully, Roethlisberger and the short-passing game acted as a substitute on a blustery day.

The Steelers went over 100 yards rushing the first five weeks. They have failed to exceed that total the past four games. Over the last three, the rushing offense has averaged a paltry 46 yards.

Steelers thirsty for third downs: I said we’d get back here.

While the Steelers defense was good on third downs, they were a problem to start the game for the offense. The Steelers were 0 for 6 on third downs before they hit their first conversion.

The offense found a better rhythm as the game moved along. It hit two in a row on the team’s second touchdown drive, including a sparkling touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Smith-Schuster.

7️⃣➡️1️⃣9️⃣@_BigBen7 | @TeamJuJu

? FOX ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/vj1WayuHHA

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 15, 2020

Altogether the team misfired on 10 of 16 third-down attempts. Entering the game, the Steelers were converting at a 48.25% clip, sixth best in the NFL.

Will we see more Williamson?: I thought we’d see a little bit more of new acquisition Avery Williamson. I’m nitpicking, now. I know.

The inside linebacker finished with just one tackle in the game.

Granted, Williams and Robert Spillane were plenty good. The former New York Jet only got a few late reps in his Steelers debut. I’d like to see him get more action next week in Jacksonville to get prepared for some meaningful action against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving.