Steelers’ 30–27 win shows an offence can share the load
After scoring once in their first two games, Pittsburgh found more ways to move the ball against Cincinnati, while a late defensive fumble recovery helped secure the result.
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30–27, ending a two-game stretch in which Pittsburgh had scored only one touchdown. The Steelers scored on their first two drives and finished with 411 yards, six scoring drives and three touchdowns.
Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes for nearly 300 yards. Jaylen Warren added 127 rushing yards and 176 all-purpose yards while playing through a shoulder injury. Nine Steelers caught passes, and the return of Michael Pittman gave Rodgers another receiving option.
Changes on the right side of the offensive line also featured in the performance. Rookie Max Iheanachor started at right tackle and Brock Hoffman at right guard. Pittsburgh allowed two sacks and converted seven of 12 third downs.
The result was not a clean offensive performance: Pittsburgh went one of three in the red zone and settled for field goals on two promising possessions. But the unit’s output was a marked improvement on its first two games.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow completed his first 14 passes and threw three touchdowns. With the score tied at 24, Pittsburgh forced a punt, then Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered a strip-sack fumble to end the Bengals’ scoring threat.
CBS Sports reported that Pittsburgh’s next game, against Cleveland on Thursday, would decide first place in the AFC North through four games. The win offers evidence of broader contributions across the team, but one performance alone does not establish a lasting change in the offence.
