Pittsburgh couldn't anything going on offense early in this one, giving Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati offense multiple chances to put numbers on the board. Pittsburgh's defense made things too easy for the Bengal's offense, as Dalton found Tyler Boyd for a 2-yard touchdown grab. Bengals up, 7-0.
James Conner brought the offense alive after the Bengals touchdown, and Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp as he hit Antonio Brown and Xavier Grimble for nice gains to move the chains for the Steelers. The man that started the drive, also finished things off for Pittsburgh, James Conner evened the score as the second quarter began.
Follows the big guys ✅
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
Punches it in for 6 ✅
PIT 7 | CIN 7 pic.twitter.com/eh8pje2vwO
Just as the defense was looking to get things together after a Vince Williams sack, Joe Mixon started making big plays for Cincinnati. Mike Hilton made a brilliant play to break up the pass intended for Tyler Boyd to force the turnover.
Vance McDonald channeling his inner strengths he displayed several weeks back against Tampa Bay, as he made several Bengals defenders look incredibly silly.
#Vanimal at work. pic.twitter.com/YUM5iORrdr
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
Big Ben found JuJu Smith-Schuster downfield to put the Steelers within the 1-yard line.
Old news: One-handed catch
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
Trending: #JuJuFlip pic.twitter.com/3yozrXPVSn
This would give James Conner another chance for a touchdown, and he scored again for his second of the day to put Pittsburgh up 14 to 7.
Unfortunately, Cincinnati had too much time left right before the half and Andy Dalton made the most of it. Dalton made his way downfield with ease and finished the drive with another Tyler Boyd touchdown. The score is tied at 14-14 at halftime.
James Conner continued to torch Cincinnati on the ground with big plays, going for 25 yards and setting the Steelers up right within the 1-yard line.
POWER. pic.twitter.com/HJKzW2gROO
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
The offense could not finish with a touchdown, and had to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal. Pittsburgh leads 17 to 14.
Cincinnati looked to get something going after a lackluster 3rd quarter, and the Dalton to Boyd connection was still proving to be strong. Stephon Tuitt's first sack of the season came at a great time, and it would eventually lead to another Cincinnati punt.
Pittsburgh made noise on their next offensive possession, James Conner continued his outstanding running and Big Ben looked very sharp. Roethlisberger found AB for 49 yards, but unfortunately Pittsburgh had to settle for another field goal.
Antonio Brown.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
LOOK OUT. pic.twitter.com/BuUwO4XF0G
Boswell hits again, now from 24 yards. Steelers lead 20-14.
The Bengals made the most of their opportunity, Dalton lead Cincinnati downfield easily and a poorly timed penalty from Artie Burns didn't help at all. Joe Mixon was able run the ball nearly untouched. Bengals lead 21 to 20.
We've seen what Big Ben can do under pressure and he absolutely did not disappoint. A minute and 18 seconds was more than enough time to for the Steelers offense to silence the rumbling Cincinnati crowd. Roethlisberger hit JuJu numerous times to keep the offense marching downfield, and a penalty on Cincinnati's secondary helped immensely. Ultimately, Antonio Brown in open field is bad news for opposing defenses as we have all seen, and this time was no different. Brown took a short pass for 31 yards, after the Bengals got exploited on a blitz.
Great WiFi. pic.twitter.com/lwbrtLAqSX
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2018
A successful two-point conversion to JuJu gave Pittsburgh a complete one-score lead, 28-21, and this was enough to give Pittsburgh a much needed division win.
Stat Leaders for Pittsburgh
Passing - Ben Roethlisberger 32 for 46 369 yards 1 TD
Rushing - James Conner 19 for 111 yards 2 TD's
Receiving - JuJu Smith-Schuster 7 for 111 Yards
Defensive - Vince Williams 7 Tackles
