NFL devotees were in for a treat on “Thursday Night Football” when the Cincinnati Bengals broke their three-game losing streak with an electrifying 31-30 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at their home stadium.
The Bengals, eager for a victory after a 2-0 start to the season, now stand at 3-4, while the Steelers’ record drops to 4-2 for the year.
Despite being past their peak, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco delivered a performance reminiscent of the early 2010s in Cincinnati.
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It commenced with Rodgers, who seems to improve weekly in his debut season with the Steelers. He orchestrated an eight-play, 69-yard drive culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith, showcasing his scrambling ability and precision in finding his target for the initial seven-point lead.
Initially, Flacco faced challenges in his home debut with the Bengals, with the team punting twice. However, the third possession ignited the fervor Bengals fans had craved since Flacco’s acquisition from the Cleveland Browns to succeed Jake Browning as the starting quarterback.
Flacco led a 10-play, 72-yard drive, connecting with Ja’Marr Chase for an eight-yard touchdown, making the score 10-7.
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Subsequently, Cincinnati’s defense immediately stepped up as momentum swung in favor of the home team. Jordan Battle intercepted a pass from Rodgers in a remarkable play, snatching the ball from D.K. Metcalf while maintaining his position within the field. Flacco seized the opportunity, connecting with Tee Higgins, who surged through multiple Steelers defenders for a 29-yard touchdown.
Rodgers was intercepted again on the subsequent drive, allowing the Bengals to secure a field goal before halftime, entering the locker room with a surprising 17-10 advantage.
If the first half was intense, the second half exceeded expectations in their primetime divisional clash. There were five consecutive scoring drives, including three straight touchdown drives, with Flacco targeting Noah Fant and Rodgers utilizing tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, narrowing the score to 27-24.
The Bengals provided Evan McPherson with a field goal opportunity, which he converted to extend their lead to 30-24, but Rodgers had a late chance in the fourth quarter to give his team a shot at the lead they had been pursuing since the first quarter.
With 2:21 remaining on the clock, Rodgers evaded pressure and spotted Freiermuth open downfield, delivering a pass that resulted in a 68-yard touchdown, tying the game. The successful extra point put Pittsburgh ahead 31-30.
However, was the score too quick for the Steelers, considering the performance of Flacco and the Bengals’ offense? Absolutely.
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Flacco once again dissected the Steelers’ defense with a seven-play drive, capped by a precise 28-yard pass to Higgins, who strategically slid in the red zone to conserve time and allow McPherson an opportunity for the game-winning field goal. He successfully converted from 36 yards, sending the Paycor Stadium crowd into a frenzy as they returned to the win column.
Reviewing the box score, Chase surpassed his own franchise record for the most receptions in a single game, securing 16 of his 23 targets from Flacco for 161 yards and a touchdown. The 23 targets marked the highest number for any player in the NFL this season.
Higgins also contributed 96 yards with a touchdown on six catches, while Chase Brown finally achieved his desired rushing performance with 108 yards on 11 carries after struggling in the previous six games.
Flacco concluded the game with an impressive 31-of-47 for 342 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. As for Rodgers, his signature Hail Mary attempt proved unsuccessful. He completed 23-of-34 passes for 249 yards, with four touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Jaylen Warren amassed 127 rushing yards along with 31 receiving yards on four catches, while Freiermuth had a standout game with 111 yards on five receptions.
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