Mark Madden: Steelers' $108 million defense responsible for loss to Bengals ... and 3-7 record

The diversion continues, and effectively so.

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense collapsed in the second half vs. the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. “They do the same plays over and over,” Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt said. The offense got just 52 yards and one first down in the second half till a garbage-time touchdown drive. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is again cast as the Great Satan.

Except the Steelers scored 30 points. That should be enough to win.

The Steelers defense lost the game.

The Steelers defense makes $108 million. It has three perennial All-Pros. It had all its regulars available vs. Cincinnati except cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. It manufactures the odd miraculous play, like T.J. Watt’s mind-boggling short-range interception Sunday. Watt’s return from injury has provided energy.

Related:

• Tim Benz: 'Airing of Grievances' after yet another Steelers gut-punch loss
• First Call: Joe Burrow on T.J. Watt's interception; Steelers-Colts game has different tone; Darrelle Revis' honor
• Madden Monday on the Steelers latest loss: 'This defense flat out stinks'

But, for all the hyperbole, that defense stinks.

The excuses are flying: “The defense was on the field too much! It’s exhausted!” That’s a popular one.

Except it was only on the field for 31:36. That’s hardly onerous.

The defense conceded 37 points. It allowed touchdown drives of 79, 92, 59 and 93 yards. The Bengals were 3 for 3 in the red zone. Cincinnati was without No. 1 receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Top back Joe Mixon exited via injury in the first half.

Something that costs $108 million should do much better. It shouldn’t need fixing. If you make the most, do the most.

Watt’s impact is undeniable.

More Steelers:

• Steelers defense fails to hold up in loss to Bengals
• Steelers offense shows positive signs early before regressing
• ‘Any player would be frustrated’ — Diontae Johnson lacking production in Steelers offense
• Mason Cole, Jaylen Warren among Steelers injured during defeat to Bengals

But the Steelers shouldn’t have traded a first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick, then given him a four-year, $73.6 million contract extension. The Steelers have too many needs to spend that much on a safety. It’s a luxury position. He’s not Troy Polamalu.

Cam Heyward is 33. He’s solid. But he’ll retire before the Steelers rebuild.

That trio is great. But it doesn’t do enough. Perhaps, in that context, it can’t.

The Steelers defense has a bunch of players who stink. Can’t tackle. Can’t cover.

Inside linebacker Robert Spillane used to be the fans’ darling because of his imagined physicality. But Cincinnati back Samaje Perine shrugged Spillane off like a junior high backup scrub en route to his second touchdown out of three.

It was both pathetic and exemplary.

But the vultures of social media always circle back to Canada.

If the Steelers fired Canada, that offense wouldn’t change. It stinks, too.

Perhaps that’s why coach Mike Tomlin won’t fire Canada. He’s a useful lightning rod, at least till season’s end. A diversion, as noted.

The most fun thing about the Steelers offense is waiting for receiver Diontae Johnson to blow his top as his usage and importance fade.

Johnson had four catches yesterday. So did George Pickens. But Johnson’s went for 21 yards, Pickens’ for 83 and a touchdown. Tight end Pat Freiermuth had eight catches for 79 yards. Johnson is neither star nor workhorse.

That’s Canada’s fault, too. Everything is. You think so, anyway.

But the Steelers defense has three players with eight All-Pro selections among them. It has six first-round draft choices. It has three allegedly great defensive minds overseeing: Tomlin, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and senior defensive assistant Brian Flores. As mentioned, it gets paid $108 million. That’s the most in the NFL.

But the Steelers defense was primarily responsible for losing to Cincinnati on Sunday.

It’s primarily responsible for the Steelers being 3-7.

But when does significant blame finally trickle back to Tomlin?