The Pittsburgh Steelers had a nightmare second quarter at Paycor Stadium. After jumping out to a 10-0 lead, a pair of turnovers contributed to 17 unanswered points. With the Cincinnati Bengals getting the ball back after halftime, the Steelers are in a dire situation down 17-10. We have all seen this movie before on road Thursday Night Football games during the Mike Tomlin era.
At the top of the Steelers’ list of halftime adjustments is figuring out how to stop RB Chase Brown from gashing them with explosive runs and getting the pass rush involved. The latter won’t be possible unless the offense evens things up. The Steelers can’t turn the ball over again.
START OF 2ND HALF
The kickoff was returned to the 31.
1st and 10, Joe Flacco complete to Ja’Marr Chase for 5 yards and Darius Slay was injured on the play. 2nd and 5, complete to Chase for 3 yards. 3rd and 2, Samaje Perine up the middle for 3 yards to convert. The Bengals just crossed 100 yards on the ground, which is a terrible look for the Steelers’ defense.
1st and 10, Brown around the left end for 7 yards with two pulling linemen in front of him. 2nd and 3, complete to Chase over the middle for 16 yards on a quick slant.
1st and 10, complete to Chase on another slant for 14 yards. Chase is taking over this game.
1st and 10, Brown up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Flacco incomplete. 3rd and 7, complete to Iosivas for 6 yards. The Bengals are challenging the spot of the ball. The call stands. They wasted a timeout, but will likely go for it on 4th and 1 again. They went for it and converted.
1st and goal, Perine up the middle for 2 yards. 2nd and goal, Ramsey broke up the pass intended for Higgins. 3rd and goal from the 5, Flacco tossed it into the dirt with nobody open. The field goal was good 20-10 Bengals.
Kenneth Gainwell gaves the Steelers a small spark returning the kickoff to the 39.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren up the middle for 5 yards. 2nd and 6, Warren juked out a tackler and gained 6 yards.
1st and 10, Warren off right tackle for 24 yards. He’s so hard to bring down.
1st and 10, toss left and Warren picked up 2. 2nd and 8, Darnell Washington lost track of the ball in the air for an incomplete pass. 3rd and 8, complete to Roman Wilson on a slant for 14 yards and a first down.
Rodgers rushed to the line to snap the ball, but offsetting penalties. 1st and 10, a little trickery and a 8-yard loss to Darnell Washington on a screen. 2nd and 18, incomplete to Jonnu Smith. 3rd and 18, complete to Pat Freiermuth over the middle for 19 yards and a touchdown! His first of the season in a big moment. 20-17 Steelers.
The Steelers aren’t out of the weeds, but boy was that needed.
The kickoff was returned to the 33.
1st and 10, Flacco complete to Brown for a loss of 2 with Cam Heyward making the TFL. 2nd and 12, complete to Higgins for 8 yards. 3rd and 4, complete to Andrei Iosivas for 38 yards up the middle with Darius Slay in coverage.
1st and 10, complete to Higgins for 7 yards. 2nd and 3, a quick completion to Ja’Marr Chase for 6 yards.
1st and goal, Flacco off target and incomplete. 2nd and goal, Brown up the middle for 3 yards to the 5.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 20-17 BENGALS
3rd and goal, Flacco complete to Noah Fant for a touchdown. He was wide open. 27-17 Bengals.
Aaron Rodgers is ripping smelling salts on the sideline. He knows he has an uphill battle ahead of him.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren ripped a 36-yard run. That’s the Steelers’ longest run of the season.
1st and 10, complete to Pat Freiermuth for 19 yards up the left sideline. They probably should have thrown a flag for a late hit, but did not. The Steelers aren’t getting those kind of breaks tonight.
1st and 10, Rodgers complete to Freiermuth on a quick screen for just a yard. 2nd and 9, complete to Metcalf for 5 yards. 3rd and 4, complete to Darnell Washington for 7 yards to convert.
1st and goal, Warren up the middle for 2 yards. 2nd and goal, Jaylen Warren laid the key block to allow Rodgers to get the touchdown pass off to Darnell Washington. 27-24 Bengals.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback to the 20-yard line. A good start on special teams for this critical drive.
1st and 10, Brown avoided a tackle and picked up 12 yards.
1st and 10, complete to Fant up the right sideline for 25 yards.
1st and 10, Jack Sawyer tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage. 2nd and 10, Flacco complete to Chase for 5 yards. 3rd and 5, complete to Chase for 14 yards.
1st and 10, Brown up the middle for 7 yards. 2nd and 3, holding called on the Bengals. 2nd and 13, drop by Chase. 3rd and 13, incomplete and no flag. The field goal was good from 45 yards. Somehow that feels like a win for the defense, that’s where we’re at. 30-24 Bengals.
Ke’Shawn Williams returned the kick to the 39. A great start by special teams.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren off left tackle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Warren pitch left inside for 3 yards. 3rd and 4, incomplete to Freiermuth on a quick slant. The Steelers are going to punt, which feels like a death sentence. The punt was downed at the 10-yard line.
1st and 10, dropped by Chase. 2nd and 10, Flacco pulled a zone read and ran for 12 yards.
1st and 10, incomplete pass. 2nd and 10, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt split a sack on Flacco. 3rd and 18, Perine ran for 2 yards. The Bengals had a timely excellent punt and Williams returned it 17 to the 42.
1st and 10, incomplete to Washington. It went through his hands after Rodgers escaped pressure to extend the play. 2nd and 10, complete to Roman Wilson to convert, but holding erased the gain. Broderick Jones called for the hold. 2nd and 20, complete to Pat Freiermuth for 68 yards and a touchdown. Huge game for Freiermuth after weeks of doing not much.
Great play, but did the offense score too soon? There is 2:21, two timeouts and a potent offensive attack tonight that can win with a field goal.
The kickoff was returned to the 30.
1st and 10, complete to Chase for 15 yards. They are already approaching field goal range. Evan McPherson nailed a 67-yarder last week that was wiped out by a timeout. That might come back into play here, assuming Pittsburgh can slow them down.
The Bengals haven’t left a drive without points in six attempts. The Steelers need to change that here.
1st and 10, complete to Chase for 18 yards. They are already just outside field goal range.
1st and 10, Chase up the middle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, complete to Higgins for 28 yards and he slid so Rodgers won’t get the ball back. The Bengals have this one locked up. Flacco took a knee and the Steelers took their final timeout. The Bengals will kick the field goal with 11 seconds remaining. With a field goal, Rodgers will have one pass attempt and a prayer.
The hail mary was knocked down and the Bengals win.
END OF GAME: 33-31 Bengals
