Key Points
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11, with third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver George Pickens reviving the Steelers' offense.
  • Rudolph completed 17-of-27 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns, while Pickens caught four passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Rudolph replaced struggling backup QB Mitchell Trubisky as the starter and played in relief of injured starter Kenny Pickett.
  • The Steelers improved their playoff chances to nine percent, while the Bengals' playoff chances dropped to 14 percent following the loss.
  • Bengals quarterback Jake Browning struggled, throwing two interceptions and finishing with a 69.0 passer rating.
  • Despite controversy surrounding Pickens' lack of effort in a previous game, he delivered an outstanding performance, accumulating 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
  • Rudolph's strong performance included completions for 86, 66, and 44 yards, revitalizing the Steelers' offense.
  • The Bengals' defense was identified as a significant weakness, allowing numerous explosive plays throughout the game.
  • Browning's performance as a backup quarterback was criticized for poor situational awareness and decision-making.
  • Cincinnati's struggles in the trenches were highlighted, particularly their inability to gain yardage in critical situations.