Pittsburgh blended opportunistic defense with steady quarterback play after Aaron Rodgers exited late in the first half, turning a tense rivalry game into a statement win at Acrisure Stadium.
The defense set the tone and closed the show. Kyle Dugger flipped the game with a 73-yard pick-six late in the third quarter to make it 20-9, and James Pierre put the exclamation point on it with a fumble return touchdown at 3:22 remaining. Those two defensive scores defined the day as Pittsburgh throttled a Cincinnati offense that never found rhythm.
Rodgers’ status became the afternoon’s biggest Steelers storyline. He left with a left wrist injury and did not return, with Mike Tomlin noting the veteran would be evaluated Monday. Mason Rudolph stepped in and was efficient, hitting Kenneth Gainwell for a late touchdown and managing the offense to the finish line. Rudolph finished 12-16 for 127 yards and 1-touchdown.
The game was also marred by an ugly skirmish between Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey. Video showed Chase appearing to spit on Ramsey, who then threw a punch and was ejected. The league followed with a one-game suspension for Chase, an immediate consequence that further clouds Cincinnati’s already difficult stretch.
Cincinnati’s issues went beyond the incident. The Bengals fell to 3-7, undone by poor tackling, inconsistent offense, and a lack of discipline-traits that resurfaced in Pittsburgh and widened the AFC North gap. They were chasing the Steelers all afternoon and never forced the kind of high-leverage possessions they needed to turn momentum.
For Pittsburgh, this was comprehensive. The Steelers improved to 6-4, stayed atop the division, and showcased depth, particularly on defense and in their ability to pivot at quarterback midgame. The contrast from the October loss to Cincinnati was stark: this time, Pittsburgh contained Chase and Tee Higgins to modest production and won the turnover battle decisively.
Next up is a trip to Chicago to face the Bears, a different challenge altogether. Expect the Steelers to lean on their pass rush and situational discipline to keep the pocket muddy, while the offense emphasizes ball security and controlled tempo, especially if Rodgers’ wrist limits availability and Rudolph is called to manage again.
Pittsburgh didn’t just beat Cincinnati; they imposed their identity, defense-first, opportunistic, and adaptable at quarterback. The controversy around Chase and Ramsey was a sideshow to a dominant Steelers performance, and the Bears matchup offers a chance to stack momentum in a tight AFC North race.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)