Time to shine.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to kick off their Week 13 matchup, so come join the fun in today’s live blog, which will include in-game updates and ultimately serve as the full game recap.
Who DEY!
First quarter
The game started with the Cincinnati Bengals going three-and-out, but after that it was fireworks.
The next drive Cam Taylor-Britt and George Pickens were fighting on a quick slant route. Pickens fell down, but quarterback Russell Wilson had thrown the ball just prior to that leaving Taylor-Britt looking like the intended receiver. He was then able to return it 51 yards for the touchdown. A huge confidence boost for a player who has been struggling the last few weeks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t wait long to knot things up. Running back Najee Harris touched the ball on four of seven plays on the drive. He constantly made men miss or fell forward. Pickens was then able to take a screen 17 yards for the touchdown.
Well the Bengals didn’t lay down like they did the first drive. Running back Chase Brown had two big runs of 13 and 40 yards. He then was able to drive in for the 1-yard touchdown after having his previous 40-yard run turned from a touchdown, to just short.
Good guys up 14-7 after the first 15 minutes.
Second quarter
The first play of the second quarter Wilson capped off a 70 yard drive with a perfect strike to wide receiver Calvin Austin that just made it by cornerback Mike Hilton’s extended hands.
Joe Burrow was cooking on the Bengals next drive. He was in rhythm with just about every throw. After cornerback Joey Porter Jr. desperately pulled down wide receiver Andrei Iosivas in the end zone to set them up at the one, Burrow pulled some pocket magic to avoid pressure and find Ja’Marr Chase in the end zone for his 13th touchdown of the year.
There were no stops to be had in this game. The Bengals defense got tagged with a couple questionably ticky tacky personal foul penalties that set up Pittsburgh’s offense for an easy Harris run in for six. No Bengals’ defenders were able to get off their blocks on the play that tied the game.
Burrow and the offense were humming again until TJ Watt evened up the turnover battle but stripping the ball from behind the quarterback as he was scrambling. The Steelers only managed a field goal as Cincinnati forced a couple in completions.
The Bengals then got screwed by the refs again. They had a 4th-and-1 where they had Tanner Hudson go under center to draw the offsides, which they did. However, they then ruled it false start, and Cincinnati had to punt.
This led to another Pittsburgh field goal at the end of the half. The Steelers and refs finished the first half up 27-21.
