STEELERS- BENGALS ON 'THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL': CINCINNATI BENGALS 33-31 WIN OVER PITTSBURGH STEELER

In a classic Thursday Night Football showdown, the Cincinnati Bengals edged out the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31

NFL Schedule

India Time 

Pittsburgh Steelers                             31                                         Final 

    Cincinnati Bengals                            33                                        Today

•  Pittsburgh  Steelers                                                   Sun, Nov 16

      Cincinnati Bengals                                                         11:30 PM 

 Game Summary & Key Moments

• 

  Aaron Rodgers

  
  
  Final drive and finish: With under 3 minutes left, Aaron Rodgers hit tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh ahead 31-30. 
  The Bengals answered, charging into field-goal range, and kicker Evan McPherson drilled a 36-yard kick with 7 seconds left to win it.
  Rodgers attempted a Hail Mary on the final play, but it fell incomplete. 

• Quarterback duel:

  • Joe Flacco was sharp. He completed 31 of 47 passes, threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. 

  • Aaron Rodgers also put up strong numbers: 249 yards, four touchdowns (all to tight ends), but he threw two interceptions, which cost the Steelers. 

• Offensive balance & support plays:

  • The Bengals’ run game saw life: rookie Chase Brown rushed for 108 yards, giving them balance.

  • Tee Higgins also made key contributions: 6 catches, 96 yards, and a touchdown. 

  • On Pittsburgh’s side, Jaylen Warren ran for 127 yards, and Freiermuth was a weapon as Rodgers’ favorite target. 

• Defensive & misc breakdowns:

  • Pittsburgh’s defense struggled, especially in the secondary. They allowed the Bengals to exploit mismatches in quick passing and failed to adjust adequately late.

  • Penalties and turnovers hurt Pittsburgh at critical junctures. 

  • Coach Mike Tomlin’s track record in Thursday road games vs AFC North is now further blemished — he’s 0-7 in those matchups after this loss. 

---

Ja’Marr Chase’s Historic Night

The biggest individual performance of the evening came from Ja’Marr Chase:

• He hauled in 16 receptions (on 23 targets), setting a new Bengals franchise record for catches in a single game. 

• He tallied 161 yards and a touchdown. 

• With this game, he became the fourth receiver in NFL history to notch two games of at least 14 catches in a single season. 

• Chase himself later said it “didn’t feel like that many” and described it as a sign of how “prolific” the offense can be with Flacco at quarterback.

In short: it was a career night, and possibly a defining one. His connection with Flacco (and chemistry with the offense in general) will be a storyline to watch. 

---

 What We Learned & What’s Next

1. Flacco Matter: Joe Flacco, brought in as an experienced backup, showed he’s more than just depth. He delivered under pressure and may provide consistency while Joe Burrow recovers/returns.

2. Offensive potency: The Bengals’ passing attack, especially with Chase and Higgins, is a weapon even without Burrow. If they can sustain balance with the run game, they stay dangerous. 

3. Steelers’ late collapse: Pittsburgh’s defense gave up too many big plays. Their inability to close it out, especially on Thursday night in hostile environments, is becoming a concern. 

4. Rivalry implications: In the context of the AFC North, every game matters. This win gives Cincinnati momentum and shakes up the division picture. 

5. Thursday night curse: Steelers’ head coach Tomlin has now repeatedly struggled with Thursday night games on the road, especially within the division. That pattern continues.