Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers vs. Bengals Recap: Steelers beat Bengals in a shootout in Week 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals entered Week 13 with drastically different scenarios surrounding both teams. The Steelers were looking for their 9th win to keep their slim AFC North lead over the Baltimore Ravens, while the Bengals were trying to win their 5th game and keep their slim playoff hopes alive for another week.

These are just some of the storylines which surrounded these two teams, both coming off a break of sorts, entering Week 13. Let’s get to the recap…

1st Quarter

The Steelers won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half, putting Joe Burrow and the lethal Bengals offense on the field to start the game. The Pittsburgh defense forced a 3-and-out, giving the ball to the Steelers offense at their own 15-yard line.

Following a defensive pass interference call moved the ball near midfield, facing a 3rd and 3 Russell Wilson targeted George Pickens, but Pickens was taken to the ground and it resulted in a 51-yard pick-six for Cam Taylor-Britt.

The extra point made it 7-0 with 10:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Needing an answer following the costly interception, Russell Wilson went to work utilizing the short and intermediate passing game to move the ball. Najee Harris had a hand in over 50 yards on the drive, and when the field got short it was Wilson hitting George Pickens on a wide receiver screen who did the rest.

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 7-7 with 7:41 remaining in the opening quarter.

It didn’t take long for the Bengals to answer with a score of their own, and it was all on the ground with Chase Brown. Brown ripped off runs of 13 and 41 on the drive, and capped off the drive with a touchdown.

The extra point was good, making the score 14-7 with 5:01 remaining in the first quarter.

Were the Steelers able to go toe-to-toe with the prolific Cincinnati offense? They drove down the field on their next possession and were nearing the red-zone at the end of the quarter.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Bengals 14, Steelers 7

2nd Quarter

Facing a 2nd and 8 to start the quarter, Russell Wilson wasted no time adding another touchdown on the board. This pass was a beautiful route by Calvin Austin III for the touchdown.

Boswell was good on the extra point, tying the game 14-14 in the early seconds of the 2nd quarter.

The Steelers hadn’t forced a punt since the first drive of the game, and that trend continued on the next Bengals’ drive. It took them just three plays to move the ball on the fringe of field goal range, and a Joey Porter Jr. defensive pass interference moved the ball to a first and goal. The end result was a Joe Burrow touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase to give the Bengals the lead.

The extra point was good, making the score 21-14 Bengals.

Pittsburgh’s offense remained as hot as Cincinnati’s and they moved the ball quickly into Bengals territory after a run and catch by Cordarrelle Patterson. Two personal fouls on the Bengals moved the Steelers into a first-and-goal situation, and once there it was Najee Harris who took care of the rest and got the Steelers back on the scoreboard.

Boswell was good for the extra point, and the score was tied at 21-21 with 7:19 left in the first half.

The Bengals offense continued to move the ball, but when they neared the red-zone it was the Steelers defense who stepped up and made a play. It was a familiar face who made the play, and his name is T.J. Watt. When Burrow tried to escape the pocket it was Watt who doubled back and was able to cause the strip sack. The fumble was recovered by Preston Smith, equating in only the second Steelers defensive stop in the fist half.

A screen pass to Jaylen Warren on the first play from scrimmage following the takeaway went for 45 yards, but the drive stalled after the play and the end result was a Chris Boswell 50-yard field goal to give them a 24-21 lead.

With 3:31 left in the half the Bengals offense failed to convert on a 3rd and 1 near midfield, and when they lined up to go for it on 4th and 1 the Bengals were flagged for offsides and forced to punt.

This meant the Steelers had the ball with 1:56 left and two timeouts in their pocket. Getting the ball to start the 3rd quarter, Pittsburgh could double up the Bengals. The offense quickly moved the ball into Cincinnati territory, but had to settle with a 34-yard Boswell field goal as time expired to make the score 27-21 heading into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Steelers 27, Bengals 21

3rd Quarter

The Steelers were looking to keep their offensive prowess in tact to start the second half, and they moved the ball quickly into Bengals territory. A Wilson strike to George Pickens looked to set up the offense in the red-zone, but Pickens was flagged for taunting, pushing them out of the red-zone. The drive stalled, and Chris Boswell’s 42-yard field goal was blocked, keeping the score 27-21.

Burrow and the boys moved the ball into scoring range, but the Pittsburgh defense stiffened when it mattered most and forced a field goal attempt. Evan McPherson’s 38-yard field goal was good, making the score 27-24 Steelers with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh’s offense was unrelenting, and took the field with the look that they know they are going to score points. Najee Harris hard yards running, timely conversions and clutch plays when it matters most was the theme on the ensuing drive. How did it end? With Russell Wilson scrambling and finding Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown.

Boswell was good, making the score 34-24 with just seconds left in the third quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Steelers 34, Bengals 24

4th Quarter

Cincinnati had the ball to start the 4th quarter, and Burrow continued to target the middle of the field against the Steelers zone coverage. But following a false start on Cincinnati, Cam Heyward got his hands on a pass, which was tipped again by Tee Higgins, only to be brought down by Donte Jackson.

Unfortunately for Steelers fans, the Pittsburgh offense couldn’t even muster a first down and had to punt for the first time of the game after a three-and-out.

The Steelers’ defense stood tall on the next drive, and decided to just take matters into their own hands when it came to adding points to the scoreboard. On a 3rd and 8, Nick Herbig got a strip-sack on Burrow, which was recovered by Payton Wilson for the scoop-and-score and the defensive touchdown.

The extra point was good, making the score 41-24 with 11:06 left in the 4th quarter.

Anyone who thought Cincinnati would just roll over and quit hasn’t watched them play this season. On their next drive, one which saw the Steelers highly penalized, moved the ball quickly against the defense. A play where Joey Porter Jr. was flagged twice on the same play set up a 1st and goal situation. On 2nd down it was Burrow who hit Higgins for the touchdown.

The extra point was good, making the score 41-31 with 8:34 left in regulation.

Pittsburgh’s offense had shouldered the pressure of the game for four quarters, and didn’t stop with a chance to ice away the victory. On a key 3rd and 8 Russell Wilson hit Van Jefferson for a 40-yard gain, moving the offense into field goal range and putting another nail in the Bengals coffin.

The end result on the drive, which chewed up even more clock, was a Boswell field goal from 30-yards to make the score 44-31 with 3:53 remaining in the game, and the Bengals out of timeouts.

Burrow and the Bengals offense moved quickly with a 50-yard catch and run by Chase, but Minkah Fitzpatrick tackled him short of the end-zone and took up valuable time. The Bengals did tally another touchdown, making the score 44-38 with just over two minutes remaining.

After a failed onside kick, the Steelers needed just one first down to end the game. They got that on the legs with Justin Fields facing a key 3rd and 4, and the play results in a victory.

FINAL SCORE: Steelers 44, Bengals 38

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.

Jeff Hartman

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