Steelers’ Patrick Queen Shares Frustrations With Defense After Week 12 Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense gave back recent progress during Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Pittsburgh responded to an encouraging performance against the Cincinnati Bengals by allowing 5.4 yards per play at Soldier Field. Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen explained what frustrated him about the unit’s struggles after the Week 12 loss, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

“Just knowing what’s coming and us not doing nothing about it,” Queen said. “You hear guys talking all over the field, communicating what’s coming and play still happens. So it is tough.”

Five different Bears players produced a play of at least 14 receiving yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to a wide-open DJ Moore that gave Chicago a second-half lead. Queen elaborated on what caused the coverage breakdowns, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I think sometimes it was schematic issues that we had,” Queen said. “It’s kind of hard for two guys that are underneath defenders to try and guard two routes. That’s overhanging off the hashes and stuff. As much as you try to get to a bang or whatever it is, it’s hard to do that. It’s kind of a bad spot to be in. But at the end of the day, we just got to be better.”

Only Cincinnati has allowed more passing yards per game than Pittsburgh’s 258.7 this season. The Steelers have now surrendered 108 points in six wins and 155 points in five losses.

The inconsistent defense will face two major tests that could determine whether the Steelers win the AFC North. They’ll host Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills this Sunday before playing Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial Week 14 matchup.

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