In their first game without Matt Canada leading the offense, the Steelers posted 421 yards in a 16-10 win over Cincinnati. It was their first 400-yard game since Week Two in the 2020 season and it snapped the 2nd-longest cold streak in the last 30 seasons.
The Bengals took a 7-3 lead into halftime but Steelers safety Trenton Thompson picked off an errant pass from Jake Browning on their opening possession to set up a 14-play, 79-yard scoring drive for Pittsburgh at the 9:24 mark in the third. Najee Harris capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown rush, and Chris Boswell added a pair of field goals in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
Kenny Pickett was 24-of-33 passing with 278 yards. Harris led the rushing core with 99 yards on 15 carries and tight end Pat Freiermuth led all receivers with 120 yards on 9 receptions. Defensively, T.J. Watt collected two sacks while Cam Heyward and rookie Nick Herbig each had one.
Coach Mike Tomlin said the rebranded offense and the already-stout defense paved the way for an easy win.
Tomlin added there is still room to grow on special teams.
Pickett said the flow of the offense took a big step forward with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling the plays.
The Steelers walked out of Cincinnati relatively healthy. No major issues were reported but Calvin Austin III suffered a lower body injury. Tomlin believes it was an ankle but could not confirm it nor could he disclose the severity.
Next up for Pittsburgh is a road matchup against the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.
Elsewhere in the AFC North, the Browns were squashed by Denver, 29-12, and Baltimore continued its stronghold in the division with a 20-10 win over Los Angeles.
Week 12 wraps up tonight when Chicago squares off with Minnesota.
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