CINCINNATI - When Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made the move at 4-2 to go to Russell Wilson at quarterback when he finally got healthy, it was with games like the one the team played here Sunday at Paycor Stadium in mind.
After struggling to score points the past few seasons and falling short in the playoffs because of it, Tomlin was intent on amping up this offense.
Wilson was the difference in this 44-38 victory.
The Steelers came out throwing against the Bengals, having him put the ball in the air 27 times in the first half, running it just nine times.
Things evened out a little more in the second half, when the Steelers went up by two scores, as they finished with 38 pass attempts and 26 rushes, but Tomlin clearly put this game in Wilson's capable hands. And the quarterback delivered in a big way.
The end result was 520 total yards, their most in a game since 2018 against Denver. Their 44 points were their most in a road game since they scored 48 against the Bengals back in 2000. Their point total was their most since posting 52 in a win over the Panthers in 2018.
"He was really confident in the huddle," said left tackle Dan Moore Jr. "He was making really good decisions throughout the game. He did a good job leading the offense. I'm really proud of him."
It wasn't just what Wilson did when he threw the ball, going 29 of 38 for 414 yards – the second-most of his career – with three touchdowns, it also was how he consistently got the Steelers into plays that would take advantage of the Cincinnati defense.
"Got to a lot of checks and audibles in the run and pass game that were favorable looks," Wilson said. "I just think the guys did a great job making plays in the game."
They did. The offensive line protected well throughout the game. Despite 40 dropbacks overall, Wilson was sacked just twice in the game.
And 10 different players caught passes, with seven having two or more receptions.
But Wilson was the catalyst.
"Russ, he prepares for the game. He's always ready for those moments," said defensive tackle Cam Heyward. "Even when we used to play against Russ, Russ could dice it up with the best of them. Having a guy like that on our sideline now, he's definitely a leader on that side of the ball."
Wilson outdueled Cincinnati's Joe Burrow in this one, something that would have seemed a foreign concept in recent years for a Steelers quarterback.
Certainly, not playing against the Steelers defenses helped. But that's on Cincinnati to play better on that side of the ball.
Wilson not only hit some of his patented deep balls in this game, he also was patient taking what the defense gave him. He wound up averaging 10.9 yards per pass attempt. Not per completion. Per pass attempt.
"We wanted to come out and attack, because we knew what they would give us," said Tomlin. "That's what I mean about the depths of these waters in these divisional relationships. It is not checkers — it's chess."
Fortunately for the Steelers, they now have a Grand Master chess player.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95), Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
• There was so much focus on the red zone for the Steelers over the previous week. Yes, the Steelers had struggled at times scoring touchdowns when they got close.
But all red zone trips are not made the same.
For example, the Steelers on the final tally sheet were 2 for 4 in this game. Yet they put 44 points on the board.
Here's the thing. The Steelers scored touchdowns on their first two trips inside the Cincinnati 20 in this game, getting a 17-yard touchdown catch from George Pickens and a 10-yard touchdown run from Najee Harris.
Their third trip into the red zone came at the end of the first half, when Wilson connected with Jaylen Warren for a 14-yard gain to the 16-yard line. The Steelers then kicked a field goal as time expired to take a 27-21 halftime lead.
That counts as a red zone trip – and a failed one, at that. But it was a productive trip nonetheless.
The same goes for the Steelers' final red zone trip in this game, which came in the fourth quarter with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
Leading 41-31, the Steelers would have liked to have scored a touchdown after having first-and-goal at the 4. But they also wanted to continue to wind the clock.
So they ran the ball, despite Cincinnati knowing they would run the ball. And they forced the Bengals to use their remaining timeouts.
Even on third down, Wilson took a sack instead of throwing the ball away to allow the clock to continue to run. Then, the Steelers kicked a field goal to go ahead by 13 points with less than four minutes remaining.
• With the Ravens losing Sunday afternoon to the Eagles, the Steelers now have a two-game lead in the AFC North in the loss column. Baltimore has its bye next week.
More importantly, the win over the Bengals was an AFC North victory, which improves the Steelers to 2-1 in the division. Baltimore is 2-2 in the division.
"Huge," said outside linebacker T.J. Watt of the win. "Obviously, AFC North football, especially on the road — if you want the ball to come through Pittsburgh you have to win on the road, especially in the North. It feels great to get a win."
Almost as important as the division win is that the Steelers are now 6-2 in conference games. The Ravens are 5-4.
If the Steelers can beat the Browns at home next weekend while the Ravens are on a bye, they put all of the pressure on Baltimore over the season's final four games.
• Anyone simply looking at the final score from this game would think the Steelers' defense played poorly in this game.
That's not the case.
Yes, Burrow finished with 309 passing yards and matched Wilson with three touchdown passes. But he also turned the ball over three times, once on an interception and twice on strip-sacks. Watt got him once, while Nick Herbig also got him on one that was scooped up by Payton Wilson and returned for a touchdown.
"We knew it was going to be a shootout, and our offense did a great job putting up points," said Watt, who had two sacks in the game to give him 106 for his career and nine this season.
Watt's five forced fumbles leads the NFL. He and Herbig lead the NFL in strip-sacks.
Alex Highsmith, for whom Herbig has been subbing, led the NFL in forced fumbles in 2022.
It's a point of emphasis for the Steelers' outside linebackers. They don't happen by accident.
"Anytime I'm around the ball, I'm just trying to continue to ball search, and try and make a play, create a turnover," said Watt.
Herbig said, like everything else, he takes his lead from Watt on that. Watt is the gold standard when it comes to forcing fumbles. His 32 forced fumbles since 2017 are easily the most in the NFL over that span.
"He's been doing it for seven, eight years now," said Herbig. "He's a Hall of Famer, and I'm sure he leads the league since he's been in the league of forcing fumbles. And I think that's the culture that Coach Tomlin builds. These guys lay the foundation for guys like me, younger guys that are looking up to them. The chemistry we have in the room is unbelievable."
• It's much the same way that Steelers defensive linemen just seem to have a knack for tipping or batting down passes.
Heyward got his hands on a Burrow pass to deflect it just enough that wide receiver Tee Higgins couldn't adjust to it. It tipped off the hands of Higgins and into the waiting arms of cornerback Donte Jackson.
Heyward had five tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits as well as the pass defended.
His 14.5 career sacks against the Bengals are the most by any player against the Bengals in their history, though Watt now has 14.
The Bengals had some success running the ball in this game. But a large portion of that came when Heyward was on the sideline. When he was in the game, the Bengals simply didn't run the ball. Correction, they couldn't run the ball.
"He's an old dude who's playing some really good football, very stout," Watt said of the 35-year-old Heyward. "I know he wants to be out there every snap, but he's making every single snap that he's in there count. A guy that's just a true leader, a true Steeler, one-helmet guy. He preaches install and kick ass every week — he and (defensive line coach Karl) Dunbar, and he goes out there each and every week and shows why he's one of the best in the world."
If there's a defensive tackle having a better overall season than Heyward, there certainly aren't many. He's not got 50 tackles and 6 sacks on the season. He also has 17 quarterback hits and, get this, eight pass defenses. That would be a lot for a defensive back, let alone a defensive lineman.
"I had two fumbles (and) a pick. Cam Heyward made a great play — he's a great player," said Burrow. "(There is) nothing I would have done differently on that one. We've got to take care of the ball better. It starts with me. Some good and some bad."
• Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson came into this game with a league-best 11.5 sacks.
He left this game with 11.5 sacks. Not only that, he had one assisted tackle and one quarterback hit.
Credit Dan Moore for shutting him out after the Steelers had a rough game a week ago against Myles Garrett, who had three first-half sacks against them.
Them? Yeah. Stopping players such as that is a team job.
"Credit to all the guys, credit to Russ for getting the ball out fast and just staying on schedule," said Moore. "It was just good team ball. We had a good plan against him. The tight ends really did a good job chipping him and really helping me out. We definitely eliminated that guy today."
The tight ends not only got their chips in, they also caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
• Wilson now has 10 touchdown passes in six games. He also has three interceptions, though the one he threw Sunday against the Bengals shouldn't have happened.
Pickens was thrown down by cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt by the back of his helmet. Taylor-Britt then intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown.
On the game broadcast, former NFL official and CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore said Taylor-Britt should have been penalized for illegal use of hands.
Fortunately for the Steelers, that play didn't cost them the game.
But it certainly could have done so.
Makes you wonder in a game in which the Steelers were called for several penalties in the defensive backfield exactly what the officials were looking at in that situation.
They obviously were calling penalties on the defensive backs – unlike last week in Cleveland where they let the corners get as handsy as they wanted.
They just didn't call the penalty in that situation. And it cost the Steelers a touchdown.
But the offense responded again and again to everything the Bengals threw at the Steelers.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
"George runs the slant. You know, he kind of pulled him down, to be honest with you," Wilson said. "I tried throwing it on time in rhythm. We thought we could've gotten a penalty there. But, they did a good job of making that play. It's just football. It was one of those (things that), as soon as I threw it, George went to the ground. More than anything else though, our response was great. I thought that we did a really good job of staying confident and not letting one play faze us. I always say to the guys, there are 75 plays, and we want to have a collection of great moments. And I think that we did that."
• There are defensive backfield penalties and then there are ones that a team can live with. At least that's the mantra for Tomlin after Joey Porter Jr. was flagged several times working against Higgins in this game.
"Tee Higgins has a lot to do with that," Tomlin said of Porter's penalties. "Tee is a good one. He is. You can't let him beat you up, while at the same time, the officials are going to call it the way they're going to call it. So, sometimes I kind of absorb some of what comes with that. You cannot let a big dude like that beat you up. You have to match the fire with the fire. You hope that you do it clean enough that doesn't draw a bunch of penalties. We weren't successful in that regard today. We'll keep working, but one thing we're not going to do is let that guy goon us."
• The Steelers made a couple of defensive adjustments in this game.
Cam Sutton played a lot more in the slot, replacing Beanie Bishop, to help combat Cincinnati's passing game and allow the Steelers to better mix and match their coverages.
And the Steelers also moved Watt around the line a little more, allowing him to rush from different spots.
"Something we're continuing to work on," Watt said. "We're going to continue to try to move around and find those one-on-one matchups. Something we're dipping our toe in the water, and I'm sure the package will continue to grow. Not even a package, but moving around will continue as the year goes on."
The Steelers also should get Highsmith back for next week's game against the Browns, giving them even more ability to change things up and be at full force down the stretch.
• Wilson utilized the running backs in this game in the passing game, with Harris, Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson combining for 13 receptions for 146 yards.
Wilson was criticized at times in Denver, in particular, for dumping the ball down to the running backs. But in this case, when little flips of the ball get you 146 yards on 13 completions, why not?
All three Steelers running backs are good receivers. So if the Bengals are going to hand you 10 yards every time you dump it off, why not take it?
"They do all the different coverages. That's a good thing about experience — you just trust what you see," Wilson said. "You trust your eyes. You trust everything that's going on. You know, they have a lot of versatility, and they do a great job. I think the defensive coordinator is tremendous. We just had to do a really good job of trusting what we see. And I thought our guys were on it. I can't speak enough about it."
