Big Turnover by the Steelers Carries the Day Against the Bengals, 16-10
The Steelers’ legendary defense and revitalized offense marred Bengals quarterback John Browning’s maiden NFL start on a soggy, frigid Sunday at Paycor Stadium, as they prevailed 16-10 in a crucial AFC North match.
The defense continuously pressured Browning via four sacks as he finished 19 of 26 for 227 yards and a 96.2 passer rating, which was good but not good enough to outduel Steelers running back Kenny Pickett.
The 7-4 Steelers took the lead late in the game with their first 400-yard game in 59 games with 421.
With eight of his sixteen conversions on third down before the kneel down, Pickett dominated and finished with 278 yards, the second-most in his career.
With 2:04 remaining, Evan McPherson’s 47-yard field goal gave the 5-6 Bengals a 16-10 lead; however, the Steelers recovered the on-side kick that followed.
Browning knew he had to avoid the huge turnover in a game between the NFL’s top-ranked team in turnovers differential (the Steelers) with the team tied second third (the Bengals).
It did not occur during the second half’s crucial opening series. The Bengals had a fantastic opportunity to score big points with a 7-3 lead on the NFL’s No. 28 offense.
However, Browning attempted to intercept Chase in the flat on third-and-seven at the Steelers 18 when safety Trenton Thompson undercut the route, creating Browning’s third NFL interception.
With 1:34 remaining in the third quarter, the Steelers, doing what they do best, made it bleed and put together a devastating 14-play touchdown drive to grab a 10-7 lead.
The Bengals were unable to get up the field one third down as the Steelers proceeded on another drive to take a 13-7 lead.
Pickett converted three down downs on short passes in his debut game under a new offensive coordinator; two of those passes went to the mysterious tight end Pat Freiermuth on his unexpected day of 120 yards.
The final one safely converted a third-and-six. In order to build up running back Najee Harris’ touchdown run, Dax Hill draped on Freiermuth.
The next third-down play, Hall of Fame exhibitor Cameron Heyward sacked quarterback Browning for stopping before he could throw into the zone.
Penalties had no effect on Browning’s subsequent drive. Tight end Tanner Hudson’s pick intercepted tight end Browning’s three-yard slant pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd on third-and-two after tight end Irv Smith Jr. was flagged for a holding.
In the path of slot cornerback Mike Hilton on third-and-nine, Pickett connected wide receiver Diontae Johnson across the middle. On third-and-eight, he went to wide receiver George Pickens, who gained 43 yards, behind Hilton.
With almost eight minutes remaining in the game, rookie cornerback D.J. Turner batted the ball out of Diontae Johnson on the goal line, forcing a field goal.
Before finishing his four catches for 81 yards in the second half, Chase had three targets throughout the first half and had two receptions for 42 yards. He also made a spectacular play on the only scoring drive during the half.
In the middle of the field, Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker sprang and deflected a ball. Similar to what happened to the Bengals in Baltimore last week, Chase recovered the rebound and ran for a 31-yard play.
Then, feigning a double tight end look, Browning rolled left, faked to Mixon, and flipped a screen to tight end Drew Sample, an old teammate from the University of Washington.