Much has been made all offseason regarding the abysmal run defense that the team put on display throughout the course of last season, when it ranked dead last in the league defending the run. This was put on full display in the two division games against the rival Bengals, who just happen to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week One opponent. The Cincinnati Bengals outscored them 65-20 in the two losses, which also featured a 165-yard rushing performance by Bengals Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon in one game, and another 90 in the other.
Obviously health was a key factor last year, with the losses of Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu up front felt the most.