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Steelers 16 Bengals 10
The Bengals have dropped three straight to fall to 5-6 on the season, 0-4 in the AFC North and 1-6 in the AFC.
The Bengals were leading 7-3 and driving for more in the 3rd quarter when Jake Browning was intercepted at the Steelers 15 yard line. The Steelers proceeded to score the next 13 points and win the game.
Last chance: Two 4th quarter Chris Boswell field goals gave the Steelers a 16-7 lead. An Evan Pherson FG cut it to 16-10 with 2:04 left in the game. But the Bengals onside kick attempt failed and that was that.
Circle that sequence: Leading 7-3, Jake Browning’s interception at the Steelers 15 yard line blew up a nice drive to start the second half. The Steelers then marched 79 yards/7:59 for a TD, converting 3rd and 4, 5 and 6 to take a 10-7 lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Yardstick: After being out gained in all 10 games, the Steelers outgained the Bengals 421-222, including 108 to 19 in the 1st quarter. Halftime: Steelers 221, Bengals 98. The Steelers entered with 58 straight games without 400 yards of offense. Rushing yards: Steelers 153 Bengals 25.
Move the chains: The Steelers converted 8 of 17 3rd downs, including five straight on Pickett passes in the second half. The Bengals were 2 for 10....including four sacks, a false start and INT on 3rd down.
1st down: 17 snaps
Browning 7 of 9-99 yards.
Mixon 5 rushes, 9 yards (2, 1, 1, 1, 4)
Browning 2 rushes, 10 yards (6, 4)
Offense
Woes: 222 yards of total offense. 1st quarter: 7 plays/19 yards. Rushing: 11 carries/25 yards.
QB1: 19-26-222 yards, TD, red zone INT, 4 sacks, QB rating 96.2. Best passes: Andrei Iosivas 3rd & 9 catch-and-run for 16 and a 25-yard sideline pass to Chase. Hit 8 different guys in the 1st half. Biggest mistake: 3rd down pick at the Steelers 15 after a nice drive to start the 2nd half. Often held the ball too long. Four 3rd down sacks + a 3rd down/red zone INT. 11 yard TD pass to fellow Washington Huskie Drew Sample.
Running in place: Joe Mixon 8 rushes for 16 yards…..Browning 3 rushes for 9 yards….not ideal for helping a backup QB. Mixon did have a 39 yard screen. Chase Brown was active, yet did not get a carry?
3rd down: 2 for 10. Faced average of 3rd and 6.3 yards......4 sacks, interception, offensive pass interference, false start
Tip drill: Ja’Marr Chase caught a tipped pass for 31 yards and another for 14 yards.
Total: 4-81 in 6 targets.
Duck and Cover: Drew Sample and Jonah Williams could not decide who was supposed to block TJ Watt on third down. Sack.
Defense
Allowed 16 points.
The TE: Pat Freiermuth 9 for 120. He entered with 9 catches for 60 yards in five games.
Big plays: Freiermuth catches of 24 & 29 in 1st quarter. Johnson 39 yard catch. Pickens 43 yard catch. Najee Harris dragged the Bengals 20 yards after being hit at the line of scrimmage.
Again! Another red zone takeaway when Zach Carter/Akeem Davis Gaither forced a fumble and DJ Turner recovered/returned it 28 yards. Turner had dislodged a Diontae Johnson TD catch in the back of the end zone on the prior play.
Rook stuff: Turner TD pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a 3rd down PBU to force a FG.
Sack attack: Trey Hendrickson recorded a sack (10.5). That’s 32.5 sacks in 42 games with the Bengals.
Noticed: Myles Murphy caught my eye several times, including a sack and a 3rd down pressure.
Special Teams
Trayveon Williams 46 yard KR. The short field led to a TD.
Brad Robbins: Another touchback.
Evan McPherson 47 yard FG
Miscellaneous
Ruler of the Jungle Domata Peko wore a Chris Henry jersey in tribute to his former teammate.
What? A flag for holding was picked up as Darnell Washington held Germaine Pratt on the 2-yard Harris TD run for the lead.