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Steelers vs. Bengals Scoring, Points: Mitch Trubisky, Pittsburgh Sinks Cynthie in OT to Take Wild Week 1 Victory

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Cincinnati-Wild Game results were somewhat average. After both teams missed game-winning field goal attempts, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell hit a 53-yard attempt on the final play of overtime to lift Pittsburgh to a 23–20 victory in Cincinnati. drilled. On Pittsburgh’s final possession, his two big completions from Mitch Trubisky to Pat his Fly Elmous set up Boswell’s winning kick.

With Bengals longtime snapper Clark Harris injured, Cincinnati missed the game-winning field goal attempt in overtime. However, Pittsburgh failed to make an attempt to win the first game when Boswell’s 55-yard attempt hit the left crossbar 70 seconds after Evan McPherson missed a 29-yard attempt. McPherson, who lost Harris in regulation, scored the game-winning point after being blocked by Minka Fitzpatrick to force overtime with two seconds left in regulation. Before the mistake, the Bengals tied the score to Joe Burrow’s 6-yard touchdown on his pass jammer his chase.

The visiting Steelers took a 17-6 lead over the defending AFC champions at halftime, aided by four Bengals turnovers. The Pittsburgh defense recorded three first-half interceptions from Barrow, including Fitzpatrick’s 31-yard pick 6 in the opening minutes of the game. The Steelers extended their lead to 17–3 after Trubisky hit Nagy Harris on a 1-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. The score was set by TJ Watt’s Burrow interception. He had never thrown more than one interception in the first half before Sunday’s game.

The only score of the third quarter was Burrow’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd, followed by Burrow’s 2-point completion to Mike Thomas. Despite Burrow throwing his fourth interception in the sixth minute of the fourth quarter, the Bengals’ deficit was just six points when Cincinnati took over at their own 30-yard line with 6:05 remaining. From there, the Bengals drove the Steelers two yards to his line before his pass on his fourth down to Barrow’s Chase was split in his zone by Cam Sutton in the end. Cincinnati found the end zone on their next possession before Fitzpatrick blocked a point.

Here’s the full breakdown of what happened in Cincinnati.

Why the Steelers won

The Steelers’ opportunistic defense won the game. Pittsburgh’s offense was enough to bring the Steelers to the finish line, who enjoyed Fitzpatrick’s stellar game and cemented his position as one of the NFL’s best defensive backs.

Why the Bengals lost

Overcoming 5 turnovers is nearly impossible. The Bengals were unable to handle the ball in the first half and were unable to consistently defend Burrow, who spent most of the day on his back.

turning point

The Steelers took the lead after Watt fired Burrow midway through the second quarter and Pittsburgh led 17-6. Burrow and Chase scored a 24-yard gain on the next play that helped set the Bengals’ first score. The game was a slugfest from that point on.

game play

Boswell was faithful on his second field goal attempt in overtime after missing the first attempt. Boswell scored the kick despite a fair amount of wind blowing from left to right.

Fitzpatrick’s blocked post-point try also deserves a mention, as a two-time All-Pro safety managed to get enough balls to force overtime.

Injuries to both teams

Both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati suffered notable injuries. Bengals wideout his tee Higgins left the game for good after injuring his head in the second quarter. Higgins, who caught two passes for 27 yards before being injured, initially had doubts about his return after being assessed for concussion.

Harris and Watt left the game during the fourth quarter. Watt suffered a Peck injury and Harris left the game with a leg injury.

Trubisky solid in Steelers debut

The former Bears quarterback didn’t light up his stat sheets in his debut with the Steelers. He recorded 21 of 38 for 194 yards along with a touchdown pass to Harris. His two biggest completions in regulation were tight his end Zach his Gentry (32 yards) and Pat Fry Elmoose (31 yards). Trubisky threw well in overtime, completing a 25-yard pass to Dionte Johnson before Boswell’s field goal attempt fumbled. His completion of his 26 yards to Frei Elmut and his 10 later set the winning score for Boswell.

Struggling offensive line

Both offensive lines struggled, even though both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati added talent via free agency this offseason. The Bengals’ rebuilt line struggled to defend Barrow, who had him sacked seven times by the Steelers’ defense. Three of those sacks were tallied by his linebacker, Alex Highsmith, outside his third year for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line struggled to pry holes for Harris, who finished the game with 23 yards on 10 carries. The Steelers’ main rusher was receiver Chase Claypool, who gained 36 yards on six carries.

what’s next

The Steelers begin the home portion of their schedule next Sunday against the Patriots. Pittsburgh last defeated New England in Week 15 of the 2018 season, with a 17–10 win for him at Heinz Field. Cincinnati will head to Dallas to face the Cowboys in his first road game of the season. The Bengals are on a four-game losing streak against the Cowboys, including his 30-7 decision in December 2020. Cincinnati’s last win over Dallas came in his 2004 quarterback Carson Palmer over the Bengals to his 26-3 win.

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