In a nail-biting finish at Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals secured a 33-31 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to a clutch 36-yard field goal by Evan McPherson with just seven seconds remaining on the clock. This decisive kick marked McPherson’s fourth field goal of the night and capped off an impressive eight-play, 52-yard drive orchestrated by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco, who threw for an impressive 342 yards and three touchdowns, showcased his skills as he quickly adapted to the Bengals’ offensive scheme. His standout target, Ja’Marr Chase, set a franchise record with 16 receptions, accumulating 161 receiving yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Tee Higgins contributed significantly with 96 yards and another touchdown. Flacco’s ability to connect with his receivers, particularly Chase, was pivotal in this victory.
The Bengals, now at a 3-4 record, have seemingly found their groove with Flacco at the helm. After trading for him earlier this month, hopes were high that he would help revitalize an offense that struggled under Jake Browning. Flacco’s immediate impact exceeded expectations, as he displayed remarkable chemistry with Chase, leading to the most receptions in a single game in Bengals history.
Despite Flacco's success, the Steelers' head coach, Mike Tomlin, expressed skepticism regarding the trade, criticizing the decision by Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry to allow a division rival to strengthen their roster. However, Flacco's performance on Thursday night proved that he still possesses the experience and skill to effectively challenge the Steelers’ defense, which struggled to contain the Bengals’ potent passing attack.
The Steelers’ defensive unit, built to withstand top-tier offenses with players like Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Jalen Ramsey, faced difficulties throughout the game. Flacco was able to exploit gaps in their coverage, consistently targeting Chase and Higgins on crucial plays. The Steelers needed to make a critical stop with 2:15 left in the game but failed to contain Higgins, who made a crucial 28-yard reception that set up the game-winning field goal.
While the Bengals’ running game has faced challenges this season, Chase Brown broke out with a stellar performance, rushing for 108 yards on just 11 carries, including runs of 28 and 37 yards. His contributions not only bolstered the Bengals’ offensive attack but also helped create opportunities for Flacco to utilize play-action effectively, demonstrating the potential for a more balanced offensive strategy moving forward.
Despite the offensive fireworks, the Bengals’ defense remains a concern, echoing issues from previous games. They missed a staggering 19 tackles against the Green Bay Packers last week, and similar problems persisted against the Steelers. Demetrius Knight Jr. was notably responsible for several missed tackles, which contributed to Pittsburgh's scoring opportunities. The lack of a consistent pass rush, exacerbated by Trey Hendrickson’s absence, further complicated the Bengals' defensive efforts.
The Steelers initially built a 10-0 lead but were hindered by self-inflicted errors. A false start penalty on a critical fourth-and-1 play compelled them to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown. The Bengals capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 20 unanswered points before the Steelers managed to respond.
As the game reached its climax, the Steelers turned to Aaron Rodgers to lead a comeback. With under three minutes left and trailing by six, Rodgers capitalized on a defensive lapse to connect with Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard touchdown pass. However, the Steelers scored too quickly, leaving the Bengals enough time for one final drive, culminating in McPherson’s game-winning field goal.
The thrilling encounter highlighted the resilience of the Bengals while exposing vulnerabilities in the Steelers’ strategy. As the season progresses, both teams will need to address their respective challenges to secure a stronger foothold in the league.
