Steelers Crumble in Embarrassing Loss to Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers moved to 4-2 following a 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Strong Start for Steelers

On the first drive, it seemed as if the drive was going to end early on a three and out, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers found star wide receiver DK Metcalf for a 39-yard toe-tap pass to keep the drive alive. A rush by Jaylen Warren put the Steelers in the redzone. Rodgers overshot Connor Heyward in the end zone, and a 3rd and 6 from the 10 saw Rodgers hit Jonnu Smith in the end zone to begin the scoring. Boswell's extra point was good, and the Steelers took a 7-0 lead.

On the Bengals opening drive, the Steelers pressured early with a sack by Keeanu Benton before Flacco found Tee Higgins for an 18-yard pass. Then, the Steelers applied the pressure again and defensive back Juan Thornhill stopped wideout Ja'Marr Chase to force a punt by Ryan Rehkow

The ensuing drive for the Steelers ended in a punt by Corliss Waitman after Aaron Rodgers was unable to find Jonnu Smith on third and four to keep the drive alive. The Bengals were also unable to do much, and the Steelers got the ball back.

On the next Steelers drive, Rodgers continued to thrive as the Bengals were unable to pressure him, and moved the ball down the field, finishing the first quarter with the ball on the Cincinnati 42 yard line with a 7-0 lead. A Zach Frazier hold overturned a rushing touchdown by Warren, and the Steelers decided to go for it on fourth down with one yard to gain from within the redzone. The Steelers got to the line to gain, but a false start from Mason McCormick had the Steelers send Boswell out. The field goal was good, and the Steelers took a 10-0 lead.

Bengals Begin to Roll

The Bengals moved down the field with relative ease, as Chase Brown took a rush for 28 yards. Once in the redzone, Flacco was able to find Chase in the endzone for the first score for the Bengals. Then, after a review, it was found Chase did not control the ball, and the Bengals had to attempt to reach the end zone again. He found Chase, and despite a push-off by Chase on Jalen Ramsey, Chase came down with the ball in the endzone with no flag on the offense. The Bengals narrowed the deficit after a made extra point, and the Steelers led 10-7 with 4:32 to play in the second quarter.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Rodgers attempted to throw to Metcalf deep, and Jordan Battle intercepted the ball. The Bengals would go on to take over from their 24 yard line. Chase Brown found multiple gaps on the first play of the Bengals' drive, jumping out to a 37-yard rush. Ramsey was then called for a pass interference on the next play, pulling Chase down mid-play. After a short rush by Samaje Perine, Flacco found Higgins for a 29-yard catch that Higgins took to the end zone. Flacco and the Bengals jumped out to a 14-10 lead.

On the Steelers final drive of the half, Rodgers found Metcalf for a catch, but the ball was stripped by DJ Turner II for the second interception of the quarter. Flacco and the Bengals moved down the field with ease, and the Bengals set Evan McPherson up for a field goal to make it 17-10 going into the half.

The Bengals started with the ball in the second half, and Flacco and Chase moved down the field with little pressure from the Steelers. The drive stalled just outside the endzone, and McPherson was called upon once again. His field goal was good, and the Bengals took a 20-10 lead with all of their points to that point being unanswered.

When the Steelers took the field, they began to move down the field slowly until Warren got out for a 24 yard run, and Roman Wilson hurdled a defender for 13 yards. On a long third down, Rodgers found Pat Freiermuth for a 19-yard catch in the end zone, making it a three point game following a made extra point by Boswell.