Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers struggles continue as they drop 4th in a row to end the regular season

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals squared off in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium, the regular season finale. Due to the Baltimore Ravens beating the Cleveland Browns in the earlier game, the Steelers would be playing for playoff seeding. Meanwhile, the Bengals were playing to keep their playoff hopes alive.

If the Steelers beat the Bengals, they would end the Bengals playoff hopes and solidify a trip to Houston to play the Texans in the Wild Card Round of the AFC Playoffs. If the Steelers lose, the Bengals would still need help from teams on Sunday, and the Steelers would have to wait and see where they played in the first round of the postseason.

But before looking too far ahead, let’s get to the recap of the game…

1st Quarter

The Steelers won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half. This mean Joe Burrow and the high-flying Bengals offense took the field to start the game. After the kickoff return, Joe Burrow and company wasted little time moving the ball into the red-zone. Once there, it took just two plays before Burrow hit his favorite target Ja’Marr Chase for the opening drive score.

The extra point was good, making the score 7-0 with 9:49 remaining in the first quarter.

The Steelers first drive was a typical first drive for the unit, meaning it lasted just three plays before Corliss Waitman was called on to punt the ball away.

Burrow and the red-hot Bengals offense was back on the field, and they were able to move the ball into field goal range quickly. The drive stalled, and Cade York nailed a 48-yard field goal to make the score 10-0 with 1:24 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Steelers were actually able to get a first down on their second drive, and were in Cincinnati territory at the end of the quarter after a Mike Williams catch on 3rd and 11.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Bengals 10, Steelers 0

2nd Quarter

To start the quarter the Steelers benefitted from two defensive pass interference calls which gave them new life, and necessary yardage. A pass interference call on a fade route to Darnell Washington on 3rd and goal gave the Steelers the ball at the one with a fresh set of downs. Najee Harris took care of the rest on the very next play.

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 10-7 with 9:54 remaining in the half.

Following a stellar kickoff return, the Bengals started near midfield for their third possession. Two first downs moved them near field goal range, but facing a 4th and 1 Cam Heyward got his hand on Burrow’s pass, giving the Steelers a turnover on downs.

The Steelers new-found momentum lasted just three plays before Waitman was called on to punt the ball away again.

Believe it or not, but the Steelers defense got the stop and forced a rare Cincinnati punt; however, on the return Calvin Austin III fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Bengals.

Already in field goal range, the Bengals looked to be stopped by a T.J. Watt strip sack, but a defensive holding call on Cory Trice gave the Bengals new life. Facing a 3rd down, Burrow’s pass was nearly intercepted by Patrick Queen, but his drop was cleaned up by Beanie Bishop for the Steelers first takeaway.

The Steelers were unable to do anything with the football, but the drive didn’t even result in a punt. On a 4th and 1, the Steelers chose to go for it and they failed to convert. It gave the Bengals the ball with under a minute and timeouts remaining.

The botched scenario for the Steelers equated in a York chip shot, making the score 13-7 with 16 seconds left in the half.

That score would hold into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Bengals 13, Steelers 7

3rd Quarter

The Steelers started with the ball to start the second half, and the drive lasted just three plays before Waitman was called on again to punt the ball away.

Cincinnati’s first drive of the second half looked a lot like their first drive of the game, but when the drive reached ther ed-zone and a critical 3rd down, Joe Burrow was sacked by Nick Herbig and Cam Heyward. The result was another York field goal, making the score 16-7 with 6:56 left in the quarter.

Another brief Steelers offensive drive had the Bengals with the ball in Pittsburgh territory at the end of the quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Bengals 16, Steelers 7

4th Quarter

Cincinnati’s offense continued to move the football, but kept stalling when the field got short. A 3rd down pass intended for Mike Gesicki fell incomplete, resulting in another York chip shot field goal to make the score 19-7 with 11:01 remaining in the 4th quarter.

It was at the point in the game where if the Steelers were going to make a run at winning this Week 18 game, it would have to be now. The Steelers took to the air, finally, and it paid off. Despite another George Pickens dropped pass, the Steelers got into the red-zone and capped it off with a Pat Freiermuth touchdown reception.

Boswell was good with the extra point, making the score 19-14 with 8:07 left in regulation.

The Steelers defense got the ball back tot he offense with 5:54 remaining in the contest and all three timeouts remaining. The offense went three-and-out, but on the ensuing punt the Steelers caught a break when an up-man touched the football and it was recovered by Connor Heyward.

With a chance to take the lead, the Steelers had to settle for a Chris Boswell 54-yard field goal to make the score 19-17 with 2:39 in the final quarter.

Cincinnati could have kept the ball and eaten up the clock, but on a 3rd and 2 near midfield Burrow was sacked by Keeanu Benton which forced a punt and took the game to the two-minute warning.

The Steelers started with the ball at the 25 with 1:51 left and one timeout in their back pocket. Some really bad decisions were made by Russell Wilson, but on 4th and 12 they had Freiermuth open, and he drops it.

That would end the ball game, and the score would hold as final.

FINAL SCORE: Bengals 19, Steelers 17

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Wild Card Round of the AFC Playoffs.

Jeff Hartman

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