The Pittsburgh Steelers and the entire AFC North have some serious beef. One of the greatest rivalries in the NFL unfolds when Pittsburgh faces off against the Cincinnati Bengals. These games are always filled with high intensity, regardless of the teams' records. They are typically competitive and intense.
Recently, the Bengals have had a slight edge over Pittsburgh in terms of quarterback play and postseason success. They’ve enjoyed success with their offense, led by star quarterback Joe Burrow. In the 2024 offseason, they lost offensive weapon Tyler Boyd, and uncertainty remains regarding Tee Higgins' future past this season. Higgins is likely to play for the Bengals in 2024, but a trade is still possible. The Bengals are coming off a season where Burrow's injury cost them a postseason berth.
Now, Burrow is healthy and eager to return to the Super Bowl hunt in 2024—a prospect Pittsburgh fans hope to avoid. With Burrow back, many believe the Bengals will be among the top teams in the league. Burrow recently told Complex Sports that he remains confident in his status as one of the game's best.
“I know I’m going to play well when I’m out there," Burrow told Complex Sports. "I know myself that I can go out there and play as well as anybody in the game.”
Former Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell has been very active on social media lately. Upon seeing Burrow's quotes, Bell felt compelled to send a strong warning to the Bengals.
yall better double TJ … https://t.co/lUBI77CO6r
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) July 5, 2024
When Bell played for the Steelers, he was one of the best running backs in the league. Although many Pittsburgh fans frowned upon the way he left the team, Bell has since expressed significant regret over his decision. He still loves Pittsburgh and even attempted a comeback in 2024.
Bell has had many of his own personal frustrations from all of his matchups against the Bengals.
The #Steelers were in favor of banning the “hip-drop tackle” from the NFL, per Art Rooney II
— Steelersonly (@steelersonlyy) March 26, 2024
Leveon Bell suffered a horrible knee injury from this tackle, from Vontaze Burfict in 2015 against the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/7JekabtQqN
Bell does have a point. It's no secret that TJ Watt is one of the best players in the entire league. The Steelers win games because of him, a rare feat for a defensive player. The Steelers have a 1-10 record in regular season games that Watt has missed.
In his career, Watt has recorded 37 solo tackles, 13 assists, 12 sacks, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions in 13 games against the Bengals. During the 2023 season, Watt racked up three sacks in two games against the Bengals and led the NFL with 19 total sacks.
Steelers' TJ Watt Was Robbed Of The 2023 Defensive Player Of The Year Award
Many pundits were stunned when Watt did not win the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. Upset, Watt skipped the honors ceremony and shared a cryptic message on social media.
All season, Watt expressed frustration with the NFL, feeling that the league has something against him. Despite his dominance in traditional defensive stats, new advanced analytical metrics seemed to be used to snub him. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns won the award instead.
Garrett had a great season and is a tremendous player. However, by traditional metrics long used to judge defensive players' impacts, Watt outperformed Garrett and the rest of the league. Now, Watt enters the 2024 season with renewed motivation. He is determined to overcome the DPOY snub and the league's lack of holding calls in his favor.
Additionally, Watt is eager to secure his first playoff win. The Steelers have a strong roster and, despite playing in the most competitive division in football with a brutal schedule, are set up to end their playoff drought this upcoming season.
Steelers fans are thrilled to see their former star, Bell, standing up and talking some smack about the Bengals. Watt will aim to dominate Burrow and the Bengals, hoping to secure two wins against them in 2024.