Everything said that the Steelers should easily win Thursday night’s game. Someone forgot to tell the Bengals.
Cincinnati dominated Pittsburgh in the first half, rallying from a 10-0 deficit to take a 17-10 halftime lead.
The Bengals outscored the Steelers 220-183 in the first half.
Pittsburgh scored on two of its first three possessions, with Jonnu Smith catching a 10-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers and Chris Boswell scoring a 41-yard field goal.
But the Bengals intercepted Rodgers on consecutive possessions on passes intended for DK Metcalf. Safety Jordan Battle had a pick with 4:25 left in the half, leading to a 76-yard touchdown drive in three plays, and cornerback DJ Turner stole a Metcalf pass on a spectacular interception with 40 seconds left in the half to set up Evan McPherson’s 49-yard field goal on the final play.
In addition to the turnovers, the Steelers saw a touchdown negated by a holding penalty on center Zach Frazier and ended up settling for a field goal after a false start on offensive lineman Mason McCormick on fourth-and-1.
Rodgers is 13 of 19 for 118 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Metcalf had two receptions for 45 yards and Jaylen Warren had eight carries for 45 yards.
Joe Flacco, who has been in Cincinnati for a little over a week, completed 14 of 21 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase had seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Tee Higgins added 54 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. Chase Brown ran for 74 yards on five carries.
The Bengals, who have lost four straight, receive the second half kickoff.
