After Chris Boswell banged a 53-yard field goal to win the game as time expired in overtime, it seemed the Steelers’ work was only beginning yesterday. The 23-20 Steelers win over the Bengals was littered with injured bodies, the biggest injury of which is what could be a season-ending pectoral muscle injury to NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt.
Watt was injured late in the fourth quarter just before the Bengals tied the game at 20, and just before Minkah Fitzpatrick blocked the extra point attempt to force the overtime. In the extra period, the Bengals’ Evan McPherson missed another kick, a 29-yard chip shot field goal attempt that sailed left after a poor snap and hold, and Boswell’s 55-yard game-winning attempted field goal clanged off the goal post.
The Steelers’ defense sacked Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow seven times and forced five turnovers – four interceptions and a fumble – turning those takeaways into 17 points, including a Minkah Fitzpatrick pick six on the Bengals’ second offensive play of the game.
After the game, coach Mike Tomlin rewarded the team’s newest players for their efforts.
Tomlin says that facing an offense as tough as Cincinnati’s, defenses need to be creative.
Tomlin says there are two big lessons the Steelers must learn in order to win football games.
The officials were not helpful to the Steelers, throwing several penalty flags on key plays that would have stopped the Bengals, especially on the final drive of regulation. Cam Heyward says they never anticipate that the flags will go their way.
Heyward says the Steelers will miss TJ Watt, but they have to move forward without him.
Watt will be further evaluated today. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that a team source told him the Steelers suspect a torn pectoral muscle, which could end his season. Watt had six tackles, three for a loss, plus an interception and a pass deflection.
Other injured Steelers included running back Najee Harris, who appeared to aggravate the Lisfranc foot injury that caused him to miss almost all of training camp; defensive back Levi Wallace, with an ankle injury; linebacker Robert Spillane, with an eye injury; and center Mason Cole, who had an ankle injury but did return to the game.
The Steelers are back in action on Sunday when they host the Patriots in their second game. The Patriots lost to Miami 20-7.
Elsewhere in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens clubbed the New York Jets, 24-9 and the Cleveland Browns rallied to overcome the Carolina Panthers, 26-24.
Key injuries in the NFL on the first weekend included Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who will have thumb surgery today, and Patriots QB Mac Jones, who is being evaluated for a back injury.
Week One ends tonight with the Denver Broncos visiting the Seattle Seahawks.
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