In a thrilling matchup, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31, thanks to Evan McPherson’s 36-yard field goal with just seven seconds left. This marked McPherson’s fourth field goal of the night, capping an impressive eight-play, 52-yard drive orchestrated by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco had an outstanding performance, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns, with Ja’Marr Chase setting a franchise record with 16 receptions, totaling 161 yards and one touchdown. Tee Higgins also contributed with 96 yards and a score.
Flacco, newly acquired from a trade, quickly established chemistry with Chase and demonstrated an ability to leverage multiple receiving options effectively, including key completions on third down situations. The Bengals (3-4) showcased significant improvement in their offense after struggling earlier in the season, where they lacked scoring in the first halves of games.
Despite the Steelers’ efforts, including a swift 10-0 lead, they were hampered by miscues, such as a false start that negated a crucial fourth-down conversion. The Bengals capitalized on these mistakes, converting an interception into a scoring drive.
Pittsburgh’s defense struggled, failing to contain Flacco’s passing game, which exploited their secondary’s weaknesses. Additionally, the Bengals’ mixed rushing attack from Chase Brown helped open up their passing game, contributing to their offensive success.
Defensively, the Bengals showed weaknesses, missing 19 tackles and failing to pressure the Steelers effectively. Even though they pulled off a vital victory, Cincinnati’s defensive vulnerabilities could pose challenges moving forward. The Steelers’ offense, led by Aaron Rodgers, scored too early in the fourth quarter, leaving insufficient time to respond after the Bengals took the lead. Overall, while Cincinnati found momentum, questions remain about their defensive consistency for the remainder of the season.
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