The Bengals, sitting at 2-4, took on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a critical Thursday Night Football divisional matchup. With the Steelers at 4-1, it was a chance for the Bengals to get back in the race for the division. But a loss would put them in danger of soon falling right out of it, and bump their losing streak up to 5 games.
It was a poor start for the Bengals, who actually had the opportunity to force a 3 and out on the opening drive for the Steelers. However, Rodgers completed a 39 yard pass to Metcalf on 3rd & 11. After that, Warren gashed them on a few runs, before Rodgers found Smith on 3rd down for a 10 yard TD.
7-0 Steelers.
After Pittsburgh made it 10-0, the Bengals went on a nice drive of their own. Chase Brown rips off a 27 yard run to start off the drive, and then Flacco hit Ja’Marr Chase for 15 to convert on 3rd & 10 just a couple of plays later. With the drive extended, they continued to move the ball down the field. Samaje Perine got involved with a 9 yard run, before Flacco found Chase for the 8 yard TD. After dropping one on the previous play, Chase burned Jalen Ramsey on the fade route.
10-7 Steelers.
Jordan Battle picked off a Rodgers deep shot on the first play of Pittsburgh’s next drive, giving the ball back to the offence. Just like on the last drive, Brown started it off with a big run, this time for 37 yards. A few plays later, Flacco connected with Tee Higgins on the quick hitter. It was a 29 yard catch and run TD to give the Bengals the lead.
14-10 Bengals.
On the next Steelers drive, DJ Turner, in coverage against Metcalf, was able to rip the ball out of his arms along the sideline, securing the interception. With the ball back, the Bengals offence was able to move the ball 39 yards. As time expired, Evan McPherson nailed a 49 yard field goal attempt.
17-10 Bengals at the half.
To start the 2nd half, the Bengals went on a 14 play drive that took just over 7 minutes off the clock. They ended up 1st & goal at the Pittsburgh 7, but were unable to punch it in, instead settling for a 23 yard McPherson field goal.
20-10 Bengals.
Having just given up 20 straight points, the Steelers made sure to get some of it back. Warren gashed through the defence for a 24 yard run. Soon after, Rodgers connected with Wilson for 13 on 3rd & 8. Trying to hold them off, the Bengals defence eventually had the Steelers facing 3rd & 18. With a prime opportunity to hold them to a field goal, they instead allowed Rodgers to hit Freiermuth up the seam for a 19 yard TD.
20-17 Bengals.
Undeterred, the Bengals got it back. The big play was a 37 yard connection from Flacco to Andrei Iosivas on 3rd down. After some more modest pickups, Flacco found Noah Fant from 5 yards out for the TD, restoring the 10 point lead.
27-17 Bengals.
The 10 point lead was restored, but only temporarily. A 37 yard run by Warren to start the drive again set the Steelers up in a good spot. Rodgers then found Freiermuth for 18, and again for 17 yards on the next play. Later, on 2nd & goal from the 2, Rodgers connected with Washington for the short TD.
27-24 Bengals.
Cincinnati added a field goal to make the score 30-24, and then both teams proceeded to trade punts. Pittsburgh again got the ball back, down 6, with a chance to take the lead. And that, they did. They only needed two plays to do so. Rodgers, rolling out of the pocket, found Freiermuth down the field. Geno Stone took a horrible angle in an attempt to break up the pass, and it left the big TE with nothing but green grass in front of him. He took it in for the 68 yard TD.
31-30 Steelers.
Trailing for the first time in a while, it was a crucial drive for the Bengals. It started off well, with Flacco finding Chase for 15 yards on the out route. He then found Chase again, this time for 18. A few plays later, with the ball already in Pittsburgh territory, Flacco connected deep with Tee Higgins. It was a 28 yarder, and the play ended with Higgins sliding at the 7, allowing the Bengals to run out the clock before their field goal attempt. After three kneel downs, they ended up at the Pittsburgh 18. Perhaps the extra few seconds used up was not worth losing 11 yards, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Evan McPherson was clutch in this one, nailing the 36 yard field goal to take the lead.
Rodgers was able to get his Hail Mary attempt off, and it got to the end zone. But DJ Ivey was there to bat it down in a no nonsense fashion to end the game.
33-31 Bengals, Final.
The Bengals improve to 3-4 on the year, while the AFC North leading Steelers drop to 4-2. The Bengals are 1.5 games back of the lead, and have the potential to jump them for top spot next week, if things go well. The Bengals will host the New York Jets, while the Steelers have a Sunday Night matchup against the Packers.
