The Steelers outlasted the Bengals in a 23-20 OT thriller, including not one but THREE missed FG’s that would have been walk-off kicks.
In the first half today the Steelers forced Joe Burrow into 4 turnovers (3 picks, 1 fumble). FS Minkah Fitzpatrick opened the festivities with a pick-six and OLB TJ Watt and CB Cam Sutton joined the party before half time.
Four of the Bengals’ first six drives resulted in turnovers. The other two ended with a pair of field goals (a 59-yard prayer and a “bend don’t break” chip shot to close a nine-play drive) that represented significant wins for the Steelers’ defense.
Despite being constantly set up on short fields, QB Mitch Trubisky gave Pittsburgh just enough to hang around. A flea flicker aided a 31-yard connection to TE Pat Freiermuth and a screen pass to TE Zach Gentry gained 32: the Steelers’ longest gain of the day.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon added a fifth interception in the second half, but he was victimized for the TD that tied the game with 2 seconds left on the clock. The loss was all but a formality when Minkah crashed through the line and blocked the PAT to force an overtime period.
Pittsburgh got the ball first and (predictably) went three-and-out. Joe Burrow led Cincinnati into the red zone for a potentially game-winning FG attempt. McPherson – who had previously nailed a 59-yarder – hooked this 29-yard try wide left.
The Steelers’ offense wasted no time. Mitch dialed up a “back shoulder” throw deep down the left sideline to WR Diontae Johnson who made – quite simply – the single most incredible catch we will say anywhere in the NFL this entire season.
Pittsburgh drove into Bengals territory and set up for a 55-yard FG attempt. The kick had plenty of leg but doinked about a third of the way up the left upright. Play on.
Cincinnati strung together a couple positive plays and drove inside Pittsburgh’s 40 before a strip-sack from CB Arthur Maulet pushed the Bengals back out of field goal range. They punted the ball back with just over a minute to play, electing to play for the tie.
But Tomlin and Co. had no appetite for sister-kissing this day. Freiermuth caught two passed for 36 yards, DJ chipped in another 9-yarder, and Steelers Nation collectively held our breath as The Wizard of Boz was called on once more. 53 yards out, 5 seconds on the clock, the game will end with this kick one way or the other. The snap was good, the hold was true, the kick had a bit of late draw but it tickled the net and the gun sounded on a Steelers victory.
I would be remiss to not mention RB Najee Harris left late in regulation and did not return for OT. He appeared to be in significant pain (possibly re-aggravating that Lisfranc fracture) but popped up and jogged (with a slight limp) off under his own power.
TJ was seen early in OT clutching his left chest; he also did not return to the contest. If it’s a pectoral injury, it’s almost certainly a tear, and he’s almost certainly done for the season. We’ll keep him in our thoughts when we say our bedtime prayers tonight.
I apologize for the belated nature of this post. CBS considers Harrisburg Ravens territory so I had to watch the game at the local Primanti’s bar.
Steely Cam 