The Pittsburgh Steelers are trailing 7-3 after the first half of play against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers’ offense has come alive, gaining 229 yards. The tight ends have gained 108 of those yards which is by far a season high for this unit.
An unfortunate no-touchdown call from Kenny Pickett to Diontae Johnson in the first half robbed the Steelers of some points, especially since Jaylen Warren fumbled shortly after. Somehow, with all the offensive success, the Steelers have only managed three points. Things have to start falling their way if they continue playing at the level they are now.
START OF 2ND HALF
The kickoff was returned to the 25-yard line.
1st and 10, Mixon slipped and gained just 1 yard. On 2nd and 9, the pass was batted down by Larry Ogunjobi. 3rd and 9, Browning complete to Iosivas across the middle for 16 yards.
1st and 10, Browning scrambled and slid for 6 yards. 2nd and 4, Elandon Roberts and Patrick Peterson teamed up to stop a big gain, limited to just 1 yard. 3rd and 3, complete over the middle to Tanner Hudson for 5 yards.
1st and 10, Ja’Marr Chase made an amazing catch over Joey Porter Jr. for 25 yards. Dropped in the bucket by Browning.
Just outside the red zone, 1st and 10, Mixon stuffed for 1 yard by Mykal Walker and Cameron Heyward. 2nd and 9, Watt tackled the catch for 2 yards. 3rd and 7, intercepted by Trenton Thompson who undercut the route. Huge turnover to kill the big drive by the Bengals.
On 1st and 10, Pickett dumped it off to Warren at the line and he ran for 15 yards.
1st and 10, Najee Harris up the middle for 5. 2nd and 5, Pickett missed Pickens. 3rd and 5, Pickett complete to Austin for 5 yards and a first down.
1st and 10, Warren around the right end for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, Warren up the middle for 5. On 3rd and 9, Pickett complete to Freiermuth over the middle for 9 yards.
1st and 10, Pickett bailed out of the pocket to his left and found Pickens along the sideline for 10 yards.
1st and 10, Harris on the toss for 6 yards with strong leg drive. 2nd and 4, Pickett sacked for a loss of 2. Timeout #1 called by the Bengals. 3rd and 6, complete to Freiermuth for 8 yards.
1st and 10, Warren off left tackle for 9 yards. 2nd and 1, Warren back off left tackle for 3 yards.
1st and goal, Harris bounced outside for 5 yards. A flag was thrown, but picked up. Touchdown! Darnell Washington out front with the strong block. 10-7 Steelers.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
On 1st and 10, Tyler Boyd good for 10 yards with Damontae Kazee in coverage.
1st and 10, Browning scrambled after nearly getting sacked by Watt for 4 yards. Mykal Walker chased him down. 2nd and 6, Mixon for one yard, but holding backed them up. Watt is single handedly wrecking this drive.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 10-6 STEELERS
2nd and 16, the pass was tipped and almost intercepted by Kazee, but Chase came down with it again for 14 yards. That could have been six points for the Steelers if he intercepted that. These tipped passes aren’t working out so well for the Steelers. 3rd and 2, Browning complete to Boyd for 3 yards, but holding backs them up. 3rd and 12, Browning sacked by Heyward. The punt return had a penalty, so the Steelers take over from the 22 yard line.
1st and 10, Pickett complete to Connor Heyward for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, Pickett slightly off target to George Pickens streaking along the sideline. Pickens was hurt on the play coming down. Hopefully just had the wind knocked out of him as he dove for the pass. 3rd and 9, Pickett complete to Diontae Johnson on a crosser for 12 yards. Pickens still has his helmet off on the sideline.
1st and 10, wide receiver screen to Allen Robinson II, but offensive pass interference on Boykin backed them up. 1st and 20, Warren draw for 5 yards. 2nd and 15, Pickens back on the field, complete to Freiermuth for 7 yards. 3rd and 8, complete to Pickens over his shoulder for 43 yards.
1st and 10, Harris off left tackle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, Harris back up the middle for 2 yards. 3rd and 6, incomplete deep to the goal line intended for Johnson. He wanted a penalty, but didn’t get it. The 34-yard field goal was narrowly good. 13-7 Steelers.
With just 8:03 remaining in the game this defensive drive is important for the Steelers. 1st and 10, Highsmith nearly sacked Browning, but he was complete to Hudson for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Browning complete to Hudson for 4 yards, tackled by Elandon Roberts. 3rd and 3, T.J. Watt blew up the play for a 9-yard sack. The get-off speed was immaculate and he raced by for the huge play. Calvin Austin III lost three yards on the punt return.
1st and 10, Najee Harris off left tackle for 22 yards.
1st and 10, Harris up the middle and bounced out right for 13 yards. The Steelers have done it. They’ve cracked the 400-yard mark in the first game post-Canada. Something he couldn’t do in two and a half seasons as the OC.
1st and 10, Harris lost one yard on the run. 2nd and 11, Warren off right tackle for no gain. 3rd and 11, complete to Freiermuth for 6 yards. Logan Wilson injured on the play. That is an important player for the Bengals. Chris Boswell out to attempt the 33-yard field goal. The kick was good. Boswell waived the Bengals stadium goodbye after nailing the kick. 16-7 Steelers.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback. 1st and 10, Browning complete to Mixon who broke tackles on his way to 39 yards.
1st and 10, Browning scrambled away from pressure and the pass went incomplete to Iosivas. 2nd and 10, complete to Boyd over the middle for 8 yards, tackled by Elandon Roberts. 3rd and 2, great pass breakup by Patrick Peterson. The 47-yard field goal was good. 16-10 Steelers.
The Bengals have no timeouts, so they had to attempt an onside kick. George Pickens recovered it to secure the game for the Steelers.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
Kenny Pickett kneeled the ball three times to end the game. The Steelers win 16-10 behind an offensive explosion and another strong day by the defense overall.
END OF GAME: 16-10 STEELERS
