Explosive plays key Steelers win over Cincinnati

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Derrick Harmon forced a fumble that Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered on the Bengals final drive to end a wild, 30-27 Steelers win Sunday afternoon. The team now share first place in the AFC North at 2-1

Some 1^st quarter

First time since December 7 against Baltimore, Steelers scored on its opening drive. It started with a five-yard pass to Jaylen Warren and he quickly turned up-field for a 30-yard gain. Steelers called timeout before the 3^rd and 5 at the Bengals 38, they came out in a bunch left, and the Cincinnati secondary lost Roman Wilson who was wide open streaking down the left sideline, perfect throw from Aaron Rodgers and after four plays it was 7-0.

Ensuing drive, Cincinnati drove 73 yards on 11 plays over 7:20 converting a pair of 3^rd and 3s and ending on a 3-yard TD pass from Joe Burrow to JaMarr Chase. 7-7 after two possessions.

An 11-play drive by the Steelers but Pittsburgh back in front ending on a play where WR Ben Skowronek came across in late motion, through the running back hole on the right side and not picked up by the defense. Rodgers threw a back-foot pass that a wide-open Skowronek spun to catch to make it 14-7 for his third career TD.

Key plays:

• Rodgers to Wilson for 17 yards on 3^rd and 11
• Rodgers to Darnell Washington who dragged tacklers about six yards for a first down
• Rodgers to Michael Pittman crossing for 8 yards on 3^rd and 6

The teams then exchanged field goal drives in the second quarter, Steelers keyed by a 35-yard run by Warren.

Tipped turnover

Steelers driving, looking for more points before the end of the half, Rodgers scrambles finds Wilson, it bounces off his hands and intercepted by Bengals Jordan Battle. Five plays later Burrow lofts one up for Higgins, it hits in his lap as he’s falling down and he holds onto it for a touchdown to tie it at 17 at halftime.

Third quarter

Steelers only touched it once, but thanks to a roughing the punter penalty extended the drive that ended in a 3^rd down touchdown throw to a wide-open DK Metcalf in the back of the endzone for a 6-yard score. A pair of Bengals defensive backs collided to help Metcalf get free after Rodgers moved in the pocket. Warren accounted for 40 yards on the 74-yard drive.

Two huge conversions

Following the Steelers touchdown, the Bengals converted a 3^rd and 10 for 17 yards to Higgins and following a timeout, Penn State star Mike Gesicki got behind a confused Steelers defense for a 25-yard TD on 4^th and 2 as Cincy took the lead back 27-24 early in the fourth quarter.

Big Ben

The special teams star, not QB, Skowronek hustles down and after a muffed punt was attempted to be picked up, Skowronek dove in and took the football away setting the Steelers up at the Cincinnati 14-yard line. The offense would go backwards, but Chris Boswell tied the game with a 36-yard field goal. 27-27

Renegade magic

Cam Heyward’s pressure on Burrow forces a 3-and-out, Steelers get the ball on the 8, Warren busts through inside the Bengals 10, but a holding call on DK Metcalf erases a monster play. Rodgers instead finds Metcalf for 14, Washington for short yardage and he bullies his way for 47 yards, but as Warren broke out again and appeared ready to score, he lost his footing at the 6-yard-line. Steelers unable to punch it in and Boswell makes a 33-yarder. 30-27 Steelers

New right side

Rookie Max Iheanachor made his first NFL start replacing Dylan Cook at right tackle and Brock Hoffman made his first Steelers start at right guard for Spencer Anderson. Iheanachor said prior to the game he was 100% ready for NFL action while Hoffman had faced Bengals DT Dexter Lawrence several times with Dallas.

Up Next

Short turnaround on the road, Steelers play at Cleveland Thursday night.