The Bengals entered Pittsburgh on a 3 game winning streak, looking to keep the momentum going. Despite the win streak, the Wildcard race remains extremely tight, and the team was aware that a loss would undo much of the progress that had been made in recent weeks. Unfortunately, this one proved to be difficult, even with Pittsbugh completely depleted in the secondary, and opting to start 3rd string QB Mason Rudolph. Mistakes in every phase, both on the field and on the sideline, continued to persist, and before long, the Bengals had dug themselves into a hole.
Things went south for the Bengals pretty quickly. After an opening drive punt, the defence would allow a TD on just the second play from scrimmage. Rudolph completed what would normally amount to a 10 yard slang to George Pickens. However, poor coverage, tackling, and angles on the play led to him finding an opening and winning a footrace to the endzone for an 86 yard score. 7-0 Steelers.
Cincinnati got things going for a while on their second drive. A 23 yard completion to Higgins was a positive step, and Iosivas was later able to get involved with a 12 yard catch. However, on 3rd & 9 from the Pittsburgh 16, Browning, rolling to his right, lofted up a floater to the endzone with only Steeler DB’s around. It was an easy pick for veteran Patrick Peterson, who stayed in the endzone for a touchback.
Rudolph and the Steelers again moved the ball well on their second drive. The run game was slicing through Cincy’s defence, and a 3rd down completion to Warren turned out to be big, going for 18 yards. After a few other chunk plays, Calvin Austin took a sweep 7 yards for the TD. 14-0 Steelers.
The two teams would exchange punts on the next two drives, and the Bengals were then back to work on offence. But again, another mistake from Browning. This one came from their own 18 yard line, an interception that the Steelers returned back to the Cincinnati 14, and later resulted in a 3 yard Harris TD. 21-0 Steelers.
Down 21-0, the Bengals offence then went on their best drive of the day. Browning found Tyler Boyd, who bounced off a tackle, and went for a 29 yard catch and run. He found Boyd again for 14 on the next play, and then Irwin on the next two plays for a combined 14 yards. On 3rd & 1 at the Pittsburgh 5, the Bengals were stopped, and faced 4th & inches. Lining up under centre and running a QB sneak would have been logical. But Zac Taylor swayed away from logic, instead calling a shotgun pass. Browning faced pressure and put in a spot, hoping Higgins could get there in time. He could not. Turnover on downs, the Bengals come away empty handed.
Starting from their own 5, the Steelers would drive down 74 yards and kick a field goal before the half, with this opportunity being afforded to them after Awuzie allowed a Pickens to get by him on 3rd & 15 for a 44 yard catch. 24-0 Steelers at the half.
The Bengals looked better out of the break. The defence was able to come away with a stop, and then quick points were put on the board by the offence. Tee Higgins, very much like Pickens did earlier, took a slant to the house. His was for 80 yards. Cincy went for 2, and Browning completed his shovel pass to Mixon in the endzone. 24-8 Steelers.
Cincinnati’s momentum was short lived, unfortunately. The Steelers got it right back, via a 66 yard TD from Rudolph to Pickens, making it 31-8 for the Steelers.
From that point, the Bengals would turn the ball over on downs again, and Browning would throw his 3rd interception of the game. Each team added a field goal, making the final score 34-11 for the Steelers.
The Bengals fall to 8-7 on the year, and are out on the road again next week, in Kansas City, to take on the Chiefs in what will be a tough game. It is a must win situation for Cincinnati, if they look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)