Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (25) reacts after intercepting the ball with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers no-blink mentality shows in win over Bengals

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 9/12/22

The Pittsburgh Steelers started a season without Ben Roethlisberger for the first time since 2004 on Sunday, but head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that new starter Mitchell Trubisky "did not blink" in a dramatic 23-20 win over the Bengals.

Coach Tomlin on the win over the Bengals ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fg6jgU31AQ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 11, 2022

Although the offense struggled, the stars played well when Pittsburgh needed them most.

Trubisky showed why the Steelers signed him with a heads-up, backyard ball play that set up kicker Chris Boswell's winning 53-yard field goal. Trubisky evaded pressure and found second-year tight end Pat Freiermuth for 26 yards.

This is the play that ultimately won the wildest game of the weekend. Trubisky kept play alive, chose not to dump it off AND they hit Pat Freiermuth— experienced decision pic.twitter.com/MdYG5qw12R
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 12, 2022

The Steelers' defense, led by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, rose to the challenge in a big way, tallying seven sacks and five turnovers.

The biggest question is the status of outside linebacker T.J. Watt. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year left the game in the second half with an upper-body injury and never returned.

If Watt is out for an extended period, his replacement would be Malik Reed, whom the Steelers recently obtained from the Denver Broncos.

The offense, which gained only 267 yards, needs more from Trubisky and the playmakers, especially if Watt misses extended time. If the unit continues to struggle, Pittsburgh could give rookie QB Kenny Pickett the reins sooner rather than later.

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