By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA–Nearly a month after their 33-31 upset to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers were ready for the rematch, knowing that they missed a huge opportunity to defeat their AFC North Rivals, but the benefits of Divisional Play is that you will play a team twice, and the Steelers made it right the 2nd time as they defeated the Bengals 34-12 in front of 66,132 at Acrisure Stadium.
“I’m appreciative of the efforts. I thought we certainly fought hard. We played hard. In some instances, we could have played smarter, so there’s individual and collective learning that needs to happen in some of those instances, but that’s life.” Said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “It’s good to learn with the win. It was a big AFC North win for us.”
The Steelers began the game by driving 78 yards on 8 plays and taking a 7-0 lead on an 11-yard TD pass from QB Aaron Rodgers (9/15, 116 yards, TD) to RB Kenneth Gainwell. The Bengals would immediately strike back on the next drive as QB Joe Flacco (23/40, 199 yards, TD, INT) would find WR Tee Higgins (3 Rec, 63 yards) for a 28-yard TD, but a failed 2-point conversion upheld the Steelers lead, 7-6. K Chris Boswell would then extend the lead to 10-6 before halftime.
“That’s life in the big dance. You’re going to be challenged in a lot of ways as individuals, as collectives or collectives within the larger collective.” Said Tomlin. It’s our job to adapt and improvise and do what’s required to win.”
In the second half, after both teams exchanged field goals several times, the Steelers were able to get back into the end zone as S Kye Dugger intercepted a Flacco pass and returned it 73 yards and then Gainwell (7 rec, 81 yards, 2 TDs) would score his 2nd TD pass of the game on a 5-yard pass from Mason Rudolph (who filled in for and injured Rodgers) and then CB James Pierre would recover a fumble and return it 34 yards for their 34th and final points of the game.
“You know, he’s a veteran player that’s been there, done that guy.” Said Tomlin on Dugger. “That’s why we covered him at the trade deadline. He’s been an asset to us certainly, and increasingly so. I’m excited about moving forward with him as he continues to get solid in assignments, communication and understanding.”
On the defensive improvement the second time around against the Bengals, Tomlin said “We got stability at the safety position. Other than Jalen [Ramsey] not finishing the game, we’ve got stability at the safety position.”
There was a controversial moment late in the 4th quarter that involved Steeler CB Jalen Ramsey and WR Ja’Marr Chase that first led him to get heavily penalized and then get ejected after Ramsey took a swing at Chase.
When asked if he needed any explanation about Ramsey’s ejection, Tomlin replied, “I didn’t need any. It doesn’t matter. We’ve got to be smarter. We’ve got to stay in football games as individuals.”
Rudolph would finish 12/16, 127 yards and a TD and TE Darnell Washington caught 4 catches for 67 yards including an amazing 31-yard catch. RB Jaylen Warren led with 62 yards on 10 carries.
The Steelers will now prepare to return to NFC play as they head to Chicago to take on an extremely hot Bears team (7-3) who defeated the Detroit Lions 19-17. They know that preparation and consistency is the key as they continue to hold onto their AFC North Divisional lead.
“It’s perspective. It feels good right now, but it’s about what happens moving forward, and it always is. That’s just the nature of this thing. It’s sweet today. Tomorrow, we go back to work because there’s big business waiting on us next week.”
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