The Cincinnati Bengals secured a hard-fought victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Thursday Night Football,” breaking their three-game losing streak with a 33-31 win at their home stadium.
Both teams entered the game with something to prove. The Bengals, after a promising 2-0 start to the season, had stumbled recently. The Steelers, with a 4-2 record, were looking to solidify their position.
The game featured strong performances from quarterbacks Joe Flacco of the Bengals and Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers.
Rodgers started strong, leading the Steelers on a quick drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith. However, Flacco, making his home debut for the Bengals, responded after a slow start. He led a drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase, tying the game.
The Bengals’ defense then stepped up, with Jordan Battle intercepting Rodgers. Flacco capitalized on the turnover, connecting with Tee Higgins for a touchdown. Another interception of Rodgers led to a Bengals field goal, giving them a 17-10 lead at halftime.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading scores. Flacco threw touchdown passes to Noah Fant, while Rodgers found Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington for scores. The Steelers eventually took a 31-30 lead late in the fourth quarter after Rodgers connected with Freiermuth for a long touchdown.
With time running out, Flacco led the Bengals on a crucial drive. A well-placed pass to Higgins set up Evan McPherson for a game-winning field goal, which he made to give the Bengals the victory.
Chase had a record-breaking game for the Bengals, catching 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Higgins added 96 yards and a touchdown, while Chase Brown had a strong rushing performance with 108 yards.
Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns but was also intercepted twice.
For the Steelers, Jaylen Warren had a productive game with 127 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards, while Freiermuth had 111 receiving yards.
The Bengals’ win improves their record to 3-4, while the Steelers fall to 4-3. The game was a thrilling contest between two division rivals, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.
