The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals twice last season by a combined score of 65-20. It was the first time they had lost to the Bengals twice in a row since 2013, at all, let alone twice in one season, which last occurred in 2009.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt was not on the field for their first meeting last season, a 24-10 affair in week three, but he was out there, albeit compromised playing through an injury that caused him to miss the previous week, for the second round, in which they were beaten by 31 points in a game that could have put them in a virtual tie for second place in the division at the time, behind the Baltimore Ravens, who had just to tank at the end of the year.