Following each game in the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers season, I will highlight the event, or string of events, in the game that was the turning point. Not all turning points will be earth-shattering but are meant to give a unique look at how we arrived at the outcome of the game, one that may be hard to see during the live watch.
After taking a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, the only way the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to the Cincinnati Bengals was by big mistakes in the form of turnovers and penalties. They unfortunately ended up with their fair share of both in a 33-31 loss.
Aaron Rodgers’ first interception was bad Thursday night, but the second one that led to a field goal before halftime was just an example of the other guy making a play.
It was 2nd and 13 with 43 seconds remaining in the first half. It would have been a 26-yard completion to DK Metcalf along the sideline to stop the clock at the Bengals’ 30-yard line.
Here’s DJ Turner’s big play, wrestling the ball away from Metcalf with just enough space to come down inbounds with an interception.
The Steelers had plenty of chances to win the game after this, but I would argue this play was the single biggest point swing. At a minimum, it was a six-point swing. Pittsburgh would have already been in field goal range with a chance to score a touchdown. That interception could have even been a 10-point swing. The Bengals wouldn’t have had time to drive down into field goal range to finish the half.
Instead of entering halftime trailing 17-10, it could have been flipped with the Steelers up 17-14. At the very worst it would have been 14-13 in favor of the Bengals. Given that the game ended up being decided by two points, a six- or 10-point swing was significant.
Sometimes the other guy makes a play.
