NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

· National Football League
9-3, 5-2 Away
Final
44 - 38
4-8, 1-5 Home

Russell Wilson throws for a season-high 414 yards and 3 TDs as the Steelers top the Bengals 44-38

George Pickens finds the end zone for a Steelers TD

There was no debate on Sunday.

Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns, and the Steelers outlasted Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals for a 44-38 victory.

“It was fun. We just had a great time," Wilson said. "We knew it was a matchup. We knew it was going to be a heavyweight fight.”

Wilson, who is 5-1 as the Steelers' starter, logged the second-most passing yards and the third 400-yard game of his career. He threw for 452 yards for Seattle against Houston on Oct. 29, 2017.

The 13-year veteran finished 29 for 38 as the Steelers (9-3) rebounded from losing to the Browns 24-19 in a Nov. 21 game in the snow in Cleveland. He also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter.

“I thought our group smiled in the face of it, particularly (Wilson)," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "It's the first time for him going through AFC North football, and I thought he acclimated himself to it well today. He put himself squarely in the history of this series with that performance today.”

The Bengals (4-8) lost for the fourth time in five games. They also dropped to 1-5 at home, increasing the likelihood that they will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.

Najee Harris had a 10-yard touchdown run and Chris Boswell kicked two field goals to help Pittsburgh to a 27-21 halftime lead. It was the highest scoring first half in the 110 meetings between the longtime rivals. Wilson had 257 yards passing for his best total in a first half in his career.

Harris finished with 75 yards rushing and 54 yards receiving. George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth caught TD passes for the Steelers.

“We needed all 44 of those points today,” Tomlin said.

Burrow continued his terrific season, going 28 for 38 for 309 yards and three more touchdowns. He hurt his own cause when he fumbled in the first half, leading to a Steelers field goal, and threw a second-half interception.

Burrow fumbled again in the fourth quarter when he was sacked by Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, Payton Wilson ran it back 21 yards for a TD.

Chase Brown rushed for a touchdown for Cincinnati. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas each had a TD reception.

The Bengals have allowed 34 or more points in six games this season, including losses in four of the last five.

“Hard to process," Chase said. "We can’t get a win right now. We’ve had a little margin for error for a while now. Got to find a way.”

Fields day Justin Fields started the first six weeks for the Steelers and directed the team to a 4-2 record. When Tomlin decided to start Wilson in October, Pittsburgh developed a package of plays for Fields.

The Ohio State product had a 7-yard run on a third-and-4 on Pittsburgh's last drive, helping the Steelers close it out. He rushed for 26 yards and threw an incomplete pass in the Browns loss.

Tough road Staying on top of the AFC North won’t get any easier for the Steelers. After the rematch with the Browns next weekend in Pittsburgh, they have to face the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in a span of just 10 days.

Injuries Austin III was declared out with a head injury in the second half.

Up next Steelers: Host Cleveland next Sunday.

Bengals: At Dallas on Monday, Dec. 9.

How can I watch Steelers vs. Bengals?

  • TV Channel: Steelers at Bengals 2021-22 NFL, week 13 is broadcasted nationally on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket - Paramount+ NFL on CBS 2021 - Try it FREE!.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Steelers vs. Bengals on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CIN TD 1st Period 11:49 Cam Taylor-Britt 51 Yd Interception Return (Evan McPherson Kick)
PIT TD 1st Period 7:41 George Pickens 17 Yd pass from Russell Wilson (Chris Boswell Kick)
CIN TD 1st Period 5:01 Chase Brown 1 Yd Rush (Evan McPherson Kick)
PIT TD 2nd Period 14:56 Calvin Austin III 23 Yd pass from Russell Wilson (Chris Boswell Kick)
CIN TD 2nd Period 9:52 Ja'Marr Chase 4 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
PIT TD 2nd Period 7:19 Najee Harris 10 Yd Rush (Chris Boswell Kick)
PIT FG 2nd Period 3:31 Chris Boswell 50 Yd Field Goal
PIT FG 2nd Period 0:00 Chris Boswell 34 Yd Field Goal
CIN FG 3rd Period 3:53 Evan McPherson 38 Yd Field Goal
PIT TD 3rd Period 0:22 Pat Freiermuth 25 Yd pass from Russell Wilson (Chris Boswell Kick)
PIT TD 4th Period 11:06 Payton Wilson 21 Yd Fumble Return (Chris Boswell Kick)
CIN TD 4th Period 8:39 Tee Higgins 1 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
PIT FG 4th Period 3:53 Chris Boswell 30 Yd Field Goal
CIN TD 4th Period 2:39 Andrei Iosivas 3 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/pit.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originPIT https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN
28 1st Downs 25
18 Passing 1st downs 16
5 Rushing 1st downs 5
5 1st downs from penalties 4
4-9 3rd down efficiency 4-8
0-0 4th down efficiency 0-0
66 Total Plays 57
520 Total Yards 375
7.9 Yards per Play 6.6
11 Total Drives 10
410 Passing 282
29/38 Comp/Att 28/38
10.3 Yards per pass 6.7
1 Interceptions thrown 1
2-4 Sacks-Yards Lost 4-27
110 Rushing 93
26 Rushing Attempts 15
4.2 Yards per rush 6.2
2-4 Red Zone (Made-Att) 4-5
9-103 Penalties 11-101
1 Turnovers 3
0 Fumbles lost 2
1 Interceptions thrown 1
1 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 1
31:09 Possession 28:51
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Cam Sample, DE Questionable Mar 13
Evan McPherson, PK Questionable Feb 17
Logan Wilson, LB Questionable Feb 10
DJ Turner II, CB Questionable Feb 10
Lance Robinson, CB Questionable Feb 10
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Ryan Watts, CB Questionable Feb 12
Logan Lee, DT Questionable Feb 12
DeMarvin Leal, DE Questionable Feb 12
Cameron Johnston, P Questionable Feb 12
Troy Fautanu, OT Questionable Feb 12

Game Information

Paycor Stadium

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 66,112 · Capacity:

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Baltimore 12 5 .706 0 518 361
Pittsburgh 10 7 .588 0 380 347
Cincinnati 9 8 .529 0 472 434
Cleveland 3 14 .176 0 258 435
Full Standings

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