Pittsburgh Rolls to 10–0 Behind Rodgers, Warren, and Metcalf

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 11 as the league's lone undefeated team at 9-0, and they played like it. Behind a sharp outing from Aaron Rodgers, a punishing ground attack, and a defense that refused to break, the Steelers handled the Cincinnati Bengals 28-16 to move to 10-0, keeping complete control of the AFC.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said afterward that the performance reflected the mindset he's demanded from his group all season, noting that the Steelers "expected Cincinnati to come swinging" and that he "loved how the guys absorbed the pressure and responded."

Across the field, Bengals coach Zac Taylor admitted the Steelers dictated the tone from the opening quarter, saying his team "spent too much of the game trying to play from behind, and that's a tough place to be against a group that disciplined."

Steelers strike early and never trail

Pittsburgh came out firing. Just over eight minutes into the opening quarter, Jaylen Warren exploded through the middle for a 47-yard touchdown run that put the Steelers ahead 7-3. It was the first sign that Cincinnati's front was in for a long night. Warren later said he could feel the blocks developing as he hit the crease, calling it "one of those runs where the field opens up and you just trust your speed."

After a McPherson field goal cut the lead to 7-6, Warren struck again-this time from 12 yards out-making it 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Bengals were moving the ball, but they weren't finishing drives.

Rodgers, meanwhile, kept the Steelers' offense in complete control. With 39 seconds left in the first half, he looked off the safety and then fired a laser to D.K. Metcalf over the middle to set up a short touchdown moments later. Rodgers said afterward that he could see Cincinnati pressing up, explaining that he "liked the matchup and trusted DK to win inside leverage."

Cincinnati finds life, but Pittsburgh closes the door

The Bengals' biggest spark came midway through the third quarter when Chase Brown ripped off a 61-yard touchdown run, slicing the deficit to 21-13. It was exactly the type of explosive play Cincinnati needed, and Brown admitted afterward that he "felt the energy shift a little bit and wanted to give the sideline something to grab onto."

But Pittsburgh responded instantly.

With one second remaining in the quarter, Rodgers stepped up in the pocket and delivered a perfectly timed bullet to Metcalf for a 17-yard touchdown. Tomlin later pointed to that moment as the turning point, saying it "settled the whole team down and reminded everyone that we control the game, not the clock."

From there, the Steelers' defense handled the rest. Joe Burrow was pressured repeatedly, finishing the night without a passing touchdown. Taylor acknowledged that Pittsburgh's disguises gave them trouble, saying the Steelers "made everything feel contested-every throw, every lane, every read."

Rodgers, Warren, and Metcalf pace a balanced Steelers attack

Beyond the scoring, Pittsburgh's offensive rhythm constantly frustrated Cincinnati. Rodgers repeatedly found soft spots in the coverage and leaned on quick timing throws when the Bengals brought pressure. Metcalf's two touchdowns were the result of precise route-running and an offense that kept Cincinnati from keying on any one player.

Warren's physical running also set the tone early, and Rodgers made sure to credit his teammates afterward, saying the group's success came from "trust, tempo, and staying one step ahead mentally."

Up Next

The Steelers (10-0) travel to Illinois in Week 12 for a matchup with Mark Miller's Chicago Bears, who are looking to rebound after their Week 11 loss to the Vikings. The Bengals (4-5) return home for a pivotal Week 12 meeting with the New England Patriots, aiming to avoid slipping below .500 as the playoff race tightens.