On Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) redeemed their embarrassing Thursday Night Football loss to the Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) in Week 7, defeating them 34-12.
This victory becomes even more impressive for Pittsburgh when considering the injuries sustained throughout.
However, a victory looked to be in the cards for the team when viewing Pittsburgh’s opening drive, as starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with Kenneth Gainwell for a touchdown.
A successful extra point attempt by Chris Boswell followed the touchdown.
Cincinnati quickly countered, as Joe Flacco found Tee Higgins in the endzone five minutes later for a touchdown. This was followed by a failed two-point conversion attempt by Chase Brown.
Entering the second quarter, Cincinnati’s sorrows continued as Boswell kicked another field goal.
Although luck looked to be on the Steelers’ side, Rodgers, towards the end of the half, suffered a wrist injury that removed him from the rest of the game, forcing Mike Tomlin to send in Mason Rudolph.
As the third quarter began, momentum looked to be in Cincinnati’s favor.
Jaylen Warren, coming off an impressive first half, had been dealt with an ankle injury. An ankle injury that he would not return from for the rest of the game.
Though after a field goal from Evan McPherson, the tides began to turn in the direction of Pittsburgh.
Rudolph would make numerous plays, leading to another field goal by Boswell.
Cincinnati began to struggle, which became apparent as Flacco would soon throw an interception to relatively new Steeler, Kyle Dugger, for Pittsburgh’s second touchdown of the game.
Despite the interception, Cincinnati attempted a comeback with McPherson kicking another field goal; however, with both Rudolph connecting to Gainwell and a fumble recovered by James Pierre resulting in touchdowns, Pittsburgh would inevitably walk out with the win.
It was a well-deserved win at that, as it was a team effort on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, the team was able to contain star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the same player who set a Cincinnati reception record in their last encounter.
Offensively, aside from Gainwell’s two touchdowns, tight end Darnell Washington received high appraisal, as well as Rudolph, who has many calling for him to start in the team’s next game.
In the case of Cincinnati, alongside his less-than-stellar Week 11 performance, Chase seems to be under fire.
This comes after initiating a scuffle with Pittsburgh cornerback Jalen Ramsey, as the multi-time Pro Bowler allegedly spat on the former Super Bowl champion.
An altercation that may have looked different if the team’s starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, were present.
A comeback many are awaiting as Burrow returns to practice.
Other Week 11 results include:
Now heading towards Week 12, Pittsburgh will have to navigate its injury situation ahead of its Sunday afternoon game against Chicago at 1 p.m.
A game that will be crucial in the team maintaining the top spot in the AFC North, with Baltimore not far behind.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati faces a New England team that aims to continue its eight-game win streak, a task made more difficult by the absence of the previously mentioned Chase.
Nevertheless, with the season nearing its end, both teams must give their full effort towards securing a playoff spot.