Steelers Get All-In Win Over Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) celebrates an interception in the fourth quarter of the NFL 16 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. The Steelers won 34-11.
After three consecutive weeks of pathetic effort and lackadaisical football, the Pittsburgh Steelers put together a complete game for the first time this season in a blowout victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The offense put up 24 first-half points, which is only two points shy of their biggest output in an entire game this season.
Third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph got his first start since 2021 and provided an offensive spark not seen all season. He went 17/27 for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Rudolph was confident with the football while going through his progressions. He used the entire field and never let the Bengals get comfortable.
The offensive line made played their best game since in a month when they faced the Bengals. Once again, they were aided by a game plan that seemed to match their strengths in running downhill and double teaming at the point of attack.
The one time they let Cincinnati take Rudolph down, it was a coverage sack. From the opening snap, the offensive line was the more physical front.
Najee Harris ran with a purpose and great vision to the tune of 78 yards on 19 carries. While he and Jaylen Warren make a great one-two punch, Harris has established himself as the clear starter.
George Pickens showed his big-play ability with a spectacular four-catch, 195-yard performance. He started the first-half onslaught with an 86-yard catch-and-run on the second snap of the game. He followed that up with a 66-yard touchdown early in the second half.
Pickens faced a tumultuous week where his effort was rightfully questioned, based on his performance and answers to questions about his effort. Like a lot of young receivers, Pickens feels like he needs the ball on every snap for the offense to be successful. That’s not a horrible trait, especially when he is capable of making plays like this look routine.
This catch by George Pickens!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UrRIMhAt71
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 23, 2023
The defense made life miserable for a Bengals offense that had been humming over the last three weeks. Jake Browning took the league by storm with his precise ball placement and poise under fire during Cincinnati’s three-game winning streak. The Black and Gold defense forced the backup signal caller into three interceptions and sacked him three times. The defense was able to get constant pressure on Browning without having to blitz, which allowed more coverage on the back end.
For the second consecutive game against the Steelers defense, the Bengals’ running game was nonexistent. Pittsburgh held Cincy to a mere 59 yards rushing and made them one-dimensional, which allowed for the pass rushers to tee off.
The Bengals owned the time of possession, but that was a byproduct of the big plays the Steelers made on offense. They also threw for 335 yards on the night. Yet the Steelers made the plays when it counted, stopping the Bengals twice on fourth down, including a try from inside the 10 yard line.
Mike Tomlin rightfully took a lot of heat for his team’s lack of preparedness over the previous three weeks. Give him credit for employing a smart, aggressive gameplan against a game Cincinnati squad.
There is no question this is a playoff team when focused and properly prepared, even with the offensive insufficiencies. To put it in perspective, the offense looked the best it has all season despite Pat Freiermuth having zero catches on the day. So there is still more out there for the offense to go get.
The big question looms next week at Seattle. With starter Kenny Pickett likely cleared to play, do you go back to him? It would seem to be a confidence crusher if you go back to him and the offense sputters. With Rudolph playing so well in his lone start of the season, this won’t be an easy decision for Tomlin.
Its a two-game season now, and Pittsburgh is still in the hunt after a miserable three weeks. This domination of a conference rival might be the confidence boost that they will need to finish the season strong.
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