Five things we learned from Bengals 41, Steelers 10:

1. Man to man defeat

Coach Mike Tomlin attributed the blowout loss to a lack of physicality up front on both sides of the ball, saying the Steelers lost the “mano-a-mano component of play too often.”

It was hard to argue after the Steelers yielded 198 rushing yards, including a career-high 165 to Joe Mixon, while countering with just 51. The Bengals owned nearly a 2-to-1 ratio in time of possession, controlling the clock for more than 19 minutes in the first half while building a 31-3 lead.

The problem facing Tomlin is how to solve his problem internally. Aside from inserting Zach Banner at right tackle and perhaps moving Chuks Okorafor to the left side, there aren’t many changes that can be made on the line. The Steelers are down to their third-string left guard with B.J. Finney and Joe Haeg occupying that spot.

On defense, the absence of Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu never has been greater. Cameron Heyward can’t do it alone, and the Steelers resorted to playing him at nose tackle in a feeble attempt at stopping the run. Chris Wormley is a complementary piece who was re-signed to provide depth and not start consistently. Henry Mondeaux and Daniel Archibong are former or current practice squad players, and Isaiahh Loudermilk’s improvement as a rookie can’t happen fast enough.

The Steelers are signing defensive tackle Montravius Adams from the Saints practice squad, per ESPN. He’s a five-year vet but lasted only five games in New Orleans this year — he spent his first four in Green Bay — before he was let go from the active roster.

2. Backed against the wall

When the Bengals ran the ball as successfully as they did, it lessened T.J. Watt’s contributions. For all of his success at rushing the passer, Watt can’t show off that part of the game if the quarterback rarely passes. Joe Burrow didn’t need to, and when he did, he completed 14 of his first 15 attempts in the first half. And now Watt has been placed on the reserve/covid list, putting his availability against the Ravens on Sunday in question.

Melvin Ingram asked to be traded because he wasn’t satisfied with his playing time. The Steelers had some success using a third outside linebacker in the middle of the field when Ingram was here. Now that he’s gone, Taco Charlton and Derek Tuszka aren’t adequate fits for that responsibility. The backups were used entirely to give Watt and Alex Highsmith a rest while the Bengals moved up and down the field at will.

At inside linebacker, Devin Bush was benched briefly in the first half, but when Robert Spillane injured his knee after eight snaps, the Steelers were forced to go back to Bush. To no surprise, Bush again graded as the Steelers’ worst defensive player, per Pro Football Focus. He had one solo tackle and three assists, and when matched up twice against Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in coverage, he gave up a pair of receptions totaling 31 yards.

3. Unlucky Pierre

In two games playing without cornerback Joe Haden, the Steelers have given up 82 points and 903 yards.

The 533 yards the Steelers allowed to the Chargers was attributed to three starters missing on defense. Two returned against Cincinnati, but the Steelers still were gouged for 216 yards in the first half.

With Haden sitting out again with a foot injury, the Steelers turned to Pierre, the former undrafted free agent who has contributed in situational roles. While Pierre limited the big plays against the Chargers, he was targeted frequently by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Of Burrow’s 18 pass attempts to wide receivers or tight ends, seven went to players matched up with Pierre in coverage. Five passes were completed for 89 yards and one touchdown, including the 32-yard catch by Higgins that gave the Bengals a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Four of the completions against Pierre resulted in first downs.

Haden’s return won’t automatically fix the leaky defense, but it will put Pierre back in his more familiar role playing in subpackages and lessen the need for the Steelers to use Ahkello Witherspoon or Arthur Maulet in such situations.

4. Chasing chase

Chase Claypool averaged 27.3 yards on his three receptions against the Bengals, displaying the type of downfield threat the Steelers have been missing.

Imagine the average Claypool would have produced had he and Ben Roethlisberger been in sync on the Steelers’ opening possession. With a step on cornerback Eli Apple while running down the right sideline, Claypool was in position for a 63-yard touchdown had Roethlisberger gotten him the ball.

Instead, the pass was behind Claypool as Roethlisberger was expecting his receiver to cut inside. Apple’s interception and 50-yard return set up a field goal and 10-0 lead for the Bengals.

Roethlisberger and Claypool opened the next series by connecting on a 41-yard completion, which set up a field goal. The Steelers, though, would get no closer than 10-3 as the Bengals scored 31 unanswered points.

Claypool’s three catches also equaled his number of drops (one) and penalties (two). Claypool was called for an illegal formation and a facemask.

He has been penalized seven times this season, most of any Steelers player and most of any NFL wide receiver.

5. Empty net

When the defense allows three touchdown drives of at least 75 yards and a fourth that covered 65, it deserves all the criticism it can get.

Punter Pressley Harvin, though, didn’t help matters on two of those touchdown drives when he had a chance to make the Bengals work harder (and longer) for those scores.

Harvin’s first punt resulted in a fair catch at the 16. It was one of those punts that shows he placed one inside the 20 but should have pinned the Bengals much deeper given that the ball traveled just 31 yards. The Bengals, of course, went 84 yards for a touchdown.

Harvin’s second punt of the opening half went 37 yards and was fielded at the 29. This drive resulted in an interception by Minkah Fitzpatrick, but the Bengals took advantage later in the game.

Harvin’s third punt traveled 42 yards, then was returned 17 yards to the Bengals 33. His fourth attempt went 38 yards and gave the Bengals possession at the 35. They went 65 yards for a touchdown to build a 41-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Harvin finally helped out his defense on his final attempt when his 42-yard punt was downed at the 7 by Ulysees Gilbert III. Too little, too late.

Harvin’s net average of 34.6 yards was his third-lowest of the season. He ranks 23rd in net average. His predecessor, Jordan Berry, is tied for eighth.

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