Behind the Steel Curtain
It seemed like we were in for Round II of the duel between grizzled gunslingers, as both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals ended their respective first drives with touchdown passes. It became quickly apparent, though, that both Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco fired their last rounds, and the game quickly became a rock fight.
It would be a fight that the Steelers would win, though, as their defense put this waning Cincinnati team fighting for their playoff lives on their backs for the 10-count in a 34-12 win.
Things were almost catastrophic for the Steelers at the end of the first half, as Aaron Rodgers left the game with a left hand injury and didn’t return. Mason Rudolph came in, though, and performed well. The Steelers had seven third-down conversions in their last three games combined – Rudolph led them to three on his first drive of the second half, which resulted in a Chris Boswell field goal. The eighth-year quarterback finished the game 12-of-16 with 127 yards and a touchdown pass – a job well done for the backup.
After the Steelers allowed a touchdown on the opening drive, the Bengals wouldn’t reach the end zone again, but Pittsburgh’s defense did twice. With the game sitting at 13-9, Kyle Dugger picked off Joe Flacco and returned the interception 74 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals would never recover, as the Steelers’ defense would yield just three more points and would score again before the day was over.
Following Kenneth Gainwell’s second touchdown reception of the day to make the game 27-12, James Pierre put a cherry on top of his terrific day with a fumble return for a touchdown. After Pittsburgh allowed the Bengals to put up 470 yards in the first matchup, Cincinnati didn’t even break 300 in Week 12 while Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for just six catches. Pittsburgh’s pass coverage was terrific all day, and they limited the explosives from a Bengals offense that has been the NFL’s best over the last month.
Despite injuries to Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren, as well as Jalen Ramsey getting ejected in the second half for throwing a punch at Ja’Marr Chase, Pittsburgh’s defense answered the call, and its offense notched 343 yards while going 7-of-13 on third down. They needed a well-rounded performance like this after what we saw last Sunday night. Gainwell, Rudolph, and Darnell Washington came through when needed. Gainwell, especially, as he led the Steelers with seven catches for 81 yards and his two scores. Washington moved the chains multiple times, finishing with 67 yards on four catches. In a game that they needed to have, Pittsburgh’s role players stepped up in a big way.
While we don’t know what Rodgers’ status will be for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, the Steelers will remain atop the AFC North for at least another week, delivering what could be the death blow to a division rival in the process.
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