The Steelers needed some great relief pitching from Mason Rudolph and great work from a patched-up secondary to pull off a 34-12 win over the Bengals yesterday. Rudolph played the entire second half after Aaron Rodgers suffered a left wrist injury near the end of the second quarter, and the injury-riddled secondary responded after Jalen Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch at Cincinnati’s Ja’Mar Chase in the fourth quarter.
Ramsey claimed afterward that Chase had spat on him. Chase denied it, but a field level video appears to show that he did, prompting Steelers captain Cam Heyward to say, “If you’re going to spit on a guy, you don’t belong in the game.”
Rudolph completed twelve of sixteen passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Kenneth Gainwell caught that TD pass and one from Rodgers on the game’s opening drive, and on the defense, safety Kyle Dugger returned an interception 73 yards for a score in the third quarter and cornerback James Pierre scooped up a fumble in the fourth and returned it 34 yards for another touchdown.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers weren’t perfect, but they did the job after last week’s loss to the Chargers.
One of the biggest plays of the game came in the second quarter when tight end Darnell Washington caught a 4-yard pass from Rodgers and turned it into a 31-yard steamroll reception on which he leveled three would be Bengals tacklers.
Tomlin says those are crucial plays for the Steelers’ offense.
Tomlin was happy with his defensive backs, saying the play of Ramsey and Dugger has stabilized the secondary. He is thrilled with Dugger, who was acquired from New England at the trade deadline.
Rudolph credited offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth for having him ready when called upon.
Rudolph says short passes that turn into long gains, like the plays made by Washington and Gainwell, are keys for the Steelers.
Rudolph says there is a lot of talent in the Steelers’ tight end room.
Heyward says the Steelers returned to their roots, preventing big plays and creating turnovers.
TJ Watt says takeaways are the hallmark of the Steelers’ defense.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero all report that Rodgers may have a “slight fracture” in his wrist. Tomlin would only say that the injury would be evaluated this morning. Running back Jaylen Warren left the game with an ankle injury and return man Ke’Shawn Williams was in concussion protocol.
After the Ravens’ 23-16 win over the Browns yesterday, the Steelers lead the AFC North at 6-4, with Baltimore second at 5-5, the Bengals at 3-7, and Cleveland at 2-8.
The Steelers travel to Chicago to play the Bears on Sunday.
