How the Steelers Defense Shut Down Ja'Marr Chase in Round 2 of Steelers - Bengals

In Week 7, the Steelers’ defense had no answers for Ja’Marr Chase — 16 catches on 21 targets, 161 yards, and a touchdown. But four weeks later, in Week 11, the same matchup produced a completely different result: Chase finished with just 3 catches on 10 targets for 30 yards. What changed?In the first episode of Off the Edge, we break down exactly how Pittsburgh flipped the script. It wasn’t one adjustment — it was a full-scale recalibration of personnel, coverage philosophy, and pressure design. We’ll walk through how the Steelers shifted from the Thornhill/Slay matchup on Chase to a new defensive identity built around Jalen Ramsey at safety and James Pierre getting real snaps on the outside. From less Cover 1 with no true post safety leverage to more aggressive press, consistent over-the-top shade, and forcing Chase into uncomfortable outside releases, the Steelers fundamentally changed how they handled Cincinnati’s WR1. We’ll also look at how the defensive line affected this game: early pocket disruption, tipped passes, and intentional pressure packages that kept Joe Flacco from ever settling in.If you want to understand how a defense can go from overwhelmed to dominant against the exact same superstar receiver, this is the breakdown. Please consider engaging with us on social media (X, TikTok, and Instagram) where we'll be posting a turnover of the week every week with a breakdown of how it happened! Ratings and reviews are the most helpful for the show to grow, and we appreciate the support!