CINCINNATI, OH – The Pittsburgh Steelers won their season opener in nail-biting fashion. Special teams blunders from both sides extended the game long past its expected ending. The Bengals came all the way back from down double-digits to tie the game but a last-second field goal from Chris Boswell secured a 23-20 win.
The Steelers opened the game with the ball but went three-and-out after a lost challenge on 3rd down. The Bengals took near the 20-yard line.
Cincinnati’s opening offensive play was destroyed after Cam Heyward found Joe Burrow for a sack. On the next play, Burrow was intercepted by Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.
On the next drive, Cincinnati drove 10 plays and 34 yards before Evan McPherson nailed a 59-yard field goal to make the score 7-3. The kick broke the Bengals’ record for longest field goal made.
The Steelers’ defense came up big again on the Bengals’ next drive, with Burrow fumbling off a hit by Alex Highsmith, which was recovered by Heyward. Mitch Trubisky found Pat Freiermuth for a 31-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Pittsburgh went three-and-out at the goal line, leading to a Chris Boswell field goal.
Pittsburgh moved the lead to 13-3 with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter.
With 13:11 left in the second quarter, the Steelers defense came up big again. T.J. Watt intercepted Burrow at the line of scrimmage, giving Pittsburgh their first possession of the quarter on their own 39-yard line.
A 32-yard screen pass to Zach Gentry set up 1st and goal. Three plays later, Cincinnati was called for a pass interference penalty, leading to a one-yard touchdown pass to Najee Harris.
