CINCINNATI (93.7 The Fan) – If the Steelers are going to do something special this year, let along make the playoffs or have a winning season-it will be because of their defense. It was special to start the season Sunday in Cincinnati.
On the first Bengals play defending its AFC Championship, Cam Heyward recorded his 69th career sack. That was upstaged by what happened on the second play. Joe Burrow looked down Clairton native Tyler Boyd and Minkah Fitzpatrick read his eyes, stepped in front of Boyd and ran 31 yards for a Pick 6 and a 7-0 Steelers lead.
It's the fifth career defensive touchdown for Fitzpatrick tying him for third among active players. Four of those touchdowns have come as a member of the Steelers.
An Alex Highsmith sack on third-and-10 seemed to take the Bengals out of scoring range until a bomb of a 59-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.
Highsmith talked during training camp on finishing plays this year. Next possession, he stayed with his rush, got to Burrow's arm and forced a fumble that Cam Heyward recovered, the seventh fumble recovery of his career leading to three points.
One of the highest scoring offenses in 2021, the Bengals moved the ball into Steelers territory before TJ Watt jumped in the air and while being blocked picked off Burrow. The fifth interception of his career, only Fitzpatrick has more in his Steelers career. This time the offense would finish the drive in the end zone on a one-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky to Najee Harris.
Bengals started driving again before Cameron Sutton stepped in front of Boyd for the third interception of the game. It's the sixth of Sutton's career to have bragging rights over Watt. The offense would not capitalize getting the ball at the Cincinnati 7.
Joe Mixon would bust a fourth-and-one for 31 yards on the final possession of the first half setting up the Bengals at the four-yard line. However, the Steelers defense stuffed Mixon on first-down and on third-and-goal from the eight, Levi Wallace defended Ja'Marr Chase in the front corner of the end zone leading to a second field goal.
Inactives
A starter but all for one game his rookie season at center, offensive lineman, primarily guard, Kendrick Green was inactive for the game on Sunday. Other inactives
· Rookie LB Mark Robinson
· 2nd year DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
· Free agent WR Steven Sims
· QB Mason Rudolph
