In a game that felt like a blend of a high-octane action movie and a sitcom about defensive mishaps, the Steelers celebrated Russell Wilson’s 36th birthday with a 44-38 shootout victory over the Bengals.
First Half: A Tale of Two Quarters
The Bengals struck first with Cam Taylor-Britt’s pick-six, making Russell Wilson gift-wrap a touchdown pass like it was an early Christmas present. Bengals fans briefly believed their defense was back, but the optimism didn’t even last long enough to finish a single plate of Skyline Chili.
However, the Steelers responded with a vengeance. Wilson, showing no signs of aging, orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives. He connected with wide receiver Calvin Austin III for a 23-yard score and later found Pickens for a 66-yard touchdown, that had Bengals defenders looking like they were auditioning for “Dancing With The Stars”—all footwork, no coverage.
The Bengals’ offense, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, kept pace. Burrow connected with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for multiple big plays, including a 3-yard touchdown pass that kept Cincinnati within striking distance.
The first half ended with the Steelers leading 24-17, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. Reuters
Second Half: Offensive Fireworks Continue
The third quarter saw both teams trading blows like heavyweight boxers. Burrow found wide receiver Tee Higgins for a 69-yard touchdown, tying the game and electrifying the home crowd.
But Wilson and the Steelers were unfazed. The veteran quarterback continued to dissect the Bengals’ secondary (like on the play below which was followed by a Pickens blunder), leading to another touchdown drive capped by a 25-yard pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The Bengals’ special teams also had their moments. Defensive end Joseph Ossai blocked a critical field goal attempt by Chris Boswell, giving Cincinnati a chance to swing the momentum.
Fourth Quarter: A Nail-Biting Finish
As the game entered its final quarter, the Bengals mounted a comeback. Burrow connected with Chase for another touchdown, bringing Cincinnati within six points. However, a failed two-point conversion left them trailing 44-38.
With time winding down, the Bengals’ defense needed a stop to give Burrow one last shot. On the Steelers’ final drive, facing 3rd-and-4, Pittsburgh brought in Justin Fields for a read-option. Fields kept the ball and scampered for seven yards, effectively ending the game. Bengals defenders looked so surprised you’d think Fields just pulled a rabbit out of his helmet.
Key Performances:
- Russell Wilson: The birthday boy completed 29 of 38 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns, marking his second-highest passing yardage in a game. Reuters
- Joe Burrow: He played like a warrior, throwing for over 300, but his O-line protected him like a bunch of guys holding umbrellas in a hurricane.
Postgame Reflections:
The Steelers offense had season-high 44 points and 520 yards of total offense. There were headaches as usually though. The Dr. Jekyll- Mr. Hyde, George Pickens went off for a 66 yard TV, however got another dumb unsportsmanlike penalty. As Tomlin noted after the game, he needs to desperately grow up.
Reuters This performance has raised questions about defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s future with the team.
While, Burrow and his receivers put up impressive numbers, the defense still had two strip-sacks and other key plays, one of which resulted in a Steelers touchdown, proved detrimental.
Joey Porter Jr. was played 5 times for PI by my count. Some of those were routine plays that shouldn’t have been flagged, but he can’t be having 2 or 3 PI’s in the playoffs
Looking Ahead:
For the Steelers, the victory improves their record to 9-3, ensuring a non-losing season for the 21st consecutive year.
Wilson’s performance has rejuvenated the offense, making Pittsburgh a formidable contender as the playoffs approach.
Final Thoughts:
This game epitomized the intensity of the Bengals-Steelers rivalry, delivering a thrilling spectacle for fans. While the Steelers celebrated a milestone victory, the Bengals are left to regroup and address the issues that have plagued their season.
As the season progresses, both teams will need to adapt and overcome challenges to achieve their goals. For now, Steelers fans can revel in a hard-fought win, while Bengals supporters hope for a turnaround in the coming weeks.
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