The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to yet another slow start, but they did manage an elusive first half touchdown by way of Pat Freiermuth. The Cincinnati Bengals currently lead 14-7 and will start with the ball in the second half. Now that the Bengals connected on a deep ball touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, it could open up their offense and we could see some success from Joe Mixon in the second half.
Derek Watt with the special teams tackle to open the half.
Joe Mixon getting involved early with a couple big runs through traffic. Another positive run, but a flag is down. Illegal formation.
Melvin Ingram came up limping on the play, but seems to be staying in. Derrek Tuszka in for Jamir Jones and he makes the tackle from behind on what would have been a large run to set up 3rd and 3. The Bengals burn a timeout early in the half again.
A thirteen yard pickup as the running back caught the ball and ran across Joe Schobert and Minkah Fitzpatrick’s face to beat them to the sideline. The defense must hold them to three here, or this game could get very ugly.
Joe Mixon had a huge hole straight to the end zone, but Melvin Ingram was able to get a hold of him. It ended up not mattering because of offensive holding. 2nd and 17 from the 30 yard line now.
Completion to Tyler Boyd on 2nd tackled by Minkah Fitzpatrick to set up 3rd and 12. Incomplete to C.J. Uzomah in the flat. The Bengals are lined up for the field goal and it is good. 17-7 Bengals.
Touchback to start the Steelers.
A short completion to Najee Harris to pick up 6. On 2nd, Najee couldn’t haul in the ball on a slightly off target throw. 3rd and 4 now.
Ben Roethlisberger on the move to evade pressure and Ben threw it directly to the defender. Intercepted by Logan Wilson and the Bengals are already in the red zone.
The Bengals have a chance here to put the final nail in the coffin. Joe Burrow scrambled for the first down. 1st and goal.
Ja’marr Chase wide open in the end zone with Joe Haden in coverage. An easy touchdown and points after the turnover. Crushing to the Steelers’ chances. 24-7 Bengals.
An invisible pass rush is really exposing some issues in the secondary. Rush and coverage go hand in hand and currently no rush means no coverage.
Pat Freiermuth getting involved again with a 15 yard gain and a first down pickup.
Najee Harris with a nice catch in the left flat and evading multiple tacklers. Ben Roethlisberger takes a late hit and roughing the passer is called. 15 yards tacked onto the end of the run, so a huge pickup for the Steelers.
Najee Harris out wide and dropped the pass. He turned his head too early.
Ben tried to go deep to Pat Freiermuth, but the defender was in phase and the ball wasn’t placed very well, incomplete. 3rd and 10 just outside the red zone. Chase Claypool potentially ran the wrong or Ben just missed by a mile. Claypool definitely had inside leverage. Another big hit on Ben at the end of the play. Chris Boswell missed the field goal.
Joe Mixon brought down at the line of scrimmage on first down.
On 3rd and 8, Joe Schobert was able to bring down Joe Mixon short of the sticks to force the punt.
Ray-Ray McCloud tripped while trying to receive the punt. The ball took a Bengals bounce and to make matters worse there was a holding on the Steelers. They will start with the ball at their own 4 yard line or so.
Ray-Ray McCloud droppedt he pass and nearly knocked it up for another interception. Thankfully, it was dropped.
Chuks Okorafor called for a first start. Half the distance to the goal, which is like 1 yard. Sixth penalty on the offense. Chuks Okorafor somehow hurt himself on his false start. Joe Haeg coming in. Chase Claypool was able to convert with the Steelers’ back up against the wall. A much needed conversion. Steelers running the hurry-up offense now.
James Washington for 4 yards on 1st, Najee Harris tackled at the line of scrimmage on 2nd.
Ray-Ray McCloud with a 24 yard reception along the left sideline. No gain on first down to Najee Harris.
Chase Claypool caught one short on the outside and was able to make the first defender miss for the first down pickup. Ray-Ray McCloud had the ball ripped out, but somehow recovered it himself.
Chase Claypool getting targeted deep, it was incomplete but pass interference called. Chase Claypool came up injured on the play.
James Washington and Najee Harris with back to back receptions to move the Steelers into 1st and goal.
Chase Claypool is thankfully back in, but was called for OPI to move the Steelers in the wrong direction. Ben sacked on 1st and 20, and its now 2nd and goal from the 21 after the two penalties and the sack.
The Steelers stopped short on 3rd down. Once again, down in the 4th quarter, the Steelers throw in the towel and kick the field goal. 24-10 Bengals.
Yes, they made it a two possession game, but there is only 8 minutes remaining.
James Pierre deflected the pass and it was nearly picked off by Minkah Fitzpatrick. A play he absolutely should have made and one that would have given the Steelers a sliver of hope.
Derrek Tuszka has been in, which begs the question what happened to Jamir Jones. He is either hurt or the coaches did not like what they saw.
The Bengals set to punt, and they only used about a minute and a half on that drive. The Steelers will get the ball back with 6:30 remaining down 14.
Ben Roethlisberger deep to James Washington. Washington was wide open for the touchdown and Ben overthrew. 3rd and long and Cody White converts for the fresh set of downs.
Chase Claypool with a deep reception, but he comes off the field injured. The next play, Najee Harris for a handful of yards on a check down. Kendrick Green down injured for an extended period of time. J.C. Hassenaeur coming in. Steelers falling apart at the seams.
Green appears to be walking fine on the sideline. Hopefully nothing serious for the rookie. 2nd and 1 in the redzone for the Steelers. Najee Harris caught the pass on a difficult throw and a fresh set of downs.
Najee Harris lined up out wide, Ben Roethlisberger sacked for the fourth time today. Joe Haeg beat badly on that play.
The Steelers going for it on 4th and 10 after yet another Eric Ebron drop.
On 4th and 10, the Steelers inexplicably throw the swing pass to Najee Harris who gets tackled behind the line of scrimmage. A headscratcher for sure.
Isaiah Buggs stopped Joe Mixon short of the line to gain. 4th and 2. Steelers will get the ball roughly at the 2:00 warning with no timeouts.
Najee Harris has played a good game, despite very little help, but he does now have three drops on the day. Can’t have that for an already anemic offense.
Najee Harris dropped his fourth pass on 4th and short on what would have been a conversion. Not that it matters at this point, but that will officially end it. Bengals can take knees and get out of the stadium with a win. The Steelers are banged up, and have probably hit rock bottom (I hope).
END OF GAME. FINAL SCORE 24-10 BENGALS.
