Steelers Dominate in Season Opener Against Bengals

CINCINNATI, OH — The Pittsburgh Steelers made a strong statement in their season opener, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-24 at Paycor Stadium. With a blend of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity, the Steelers capitalized on key moments to secure a commanding victory in this AFC North clash.

Game Recap

The Steelers wasted no time getting on the board. Quarterback Russell Wilson found running back Najee Harris for a 2-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter, capping a methodical opening drive. The Bengals responded quickly as Joe Burrow orchestrated a scoring drive, with Trayveon Tate punching it in from 1 yard out to tie the game at 7-7.

The second quarter belonged to Pittsburgh, starting with Wilson connecting on an 11-yard touchdown pass to wideout Calvin Austin to retake the lead. Just moments later, linebacker Alex Highsmith scooped up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for a defensive touchdown, energizing the Steelers sideline and extending the lead to 21-7. Cincinnati managed to claw back with a 48-yard field goal by Evan McPherson, but Pittsburgh closed the half strong with Chris Boswell’s 40-yard field goal, giving the Steelers a 24-10 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter, the Steelers added to their lead with another Boswell field goal, this time from 20 yards. The Bengals showed some life as Burrow connected with tight end Mike Gesicki for a 30-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 27-17. However, Wilson delivered yet another dagger late in the quarter, hitting Quez Watkins for a 16-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 34-17.

The Bengals mounted a late push in the fourth quarter with Burrow finding Gesicki again, this time for an 11-yard touchdown, but Pittsburgh’s defense held firm to close out the game. “We knew this would be a fight,” said Highsmith. “Our job was to capitalize on every opportunity, and we did just that.”

Key Stats

Russell Wilson was efficient and composed, completing 22 of 33 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Jaylen Warren led the ground attack with 78 yards on 14 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. Calvin Austin and Quez Watkins each caught a touchdown pass, while Najee Harris showcased his versatility with both a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Joe Burrow fought valiantly for Cincinnati, completing 27 of 37 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Mike Gesicki was his favorite target, hauling in seven catches for 80 yards and both of Burrow’s touchdown passes. However, the Bengals’ running game was stifled, with no player surpassing 15 rushing yards.

On defense, Alex Highsmith was the star for Pittsburgh, recording two sacks and a 40-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Minkah Fitzpatrick added an interception to cap a strong performance from the Steelers’ secondary. For Cincinnati, Cam Taylor-Britt recorded an interception, and Logan Wilson contributed two pass deflections.

Injuries

The Bengals suffered a significant blow as running back Zack Moss exited the game with a broken collarbone. He is expected to miss several weeks. The Steelers reported no injuries in the game.

Up Next

The Steelers (1-0) will travel to Baltimore next week for a divisional matchup against the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Bengals (0-1) return home to face the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener.

With a dominant Week 1 performance, the Steelers showed why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the AFC North. “This is just the beginning,” Wilson said. “We executed well, but there’s still room to grow.” For the Bengals, the focus shifts to bouncing back. “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger,” said Burrow.