Pickens Shines as Steelers Secure Victory
Teammate and former Steelers coach Bill Cowher criticized Pickens. Current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin even seemed to deliver a hard-hitting message earlier this week.
Steelers Kick Off the Game with Authority
The Steelers wasted no time asserting their dominance in the game against the Bengals. On just the second play, Pickens caught a slant and sprinted 86 yards for a remarkable touchdown. The momentum continued as Calvin Austin powered through with an end-around for another score, followed by Najee Harris finding the end zone. The Steelers’ defense intercepted Jake Browning twice, including one in the end zone, allowing them to head into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead.
Bengals Show Signs of Life, but Steelers Respond
Cincinnati managed to get on the board early in the second half with an impressive 80-yard run. They followed it up with a successful two-point conversion, making it a two-possession game. However, the Steelers quickly shut down any hopes of a Bengals comeback. Pickens delivered another outstanding performance, scoring a 66-yard touchdown to extend the Steelers’ lead. Despite only having four receptions, Pickens amassed an incredible 195 receiving yards, proving to be a significant asset for the team.
Key Performances and Playoff Implications
Mason Rudolph had a solid outing, completing 17 of 27 attempts for 290 yards. While Pickens was the main target, Rudolph managed to distribute the ball effectively to other receivers, gaining 95 yards from his other completions. On the ground, Harris contributed 78 rushing yards on 19 carries.
On the other side, Jake Browning struggled throughout the game, despite accumulating impressive passing numbers (28-for-42, 335 yards). Browning’s three turnovers proved costly for the Bengals and hindered their chances of mounting a successful comeback.
This victory was crucial for the Steelers, who entered the game ranked 10th in the AFC. With the win, they now hold the tiebreaker over the Bengals, and both teams currently stand at 8-7. Although the Steelers moved up just one spot in the playoff picture, they still have three 8-6 teams ahead of them. As for the Bengals, their loss dropped them from the sixth seed to 10th, significantly decreasing their chances of making it to the playoffs from 37.7% to 15%.
Looking Ahead
The Steelers have a challenging matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on New Year’s Eve, while the Bengals will face the formidable Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Both teams will need to bring their A-game as they continue their playoff push.
