Bengals vs. Steelers game recap: Everything we know from Week 12
The Cincinnati Bengals rolled over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, earning a 41-10 victory and a 7-4 record in the process.
It was a career day for Joe Mixon, who helped carry the team to a 31-3 halftime lead before remaining composed into the second half.
While the Bengals will quickly turn their attention to the Chargers in Week 13 despite this being a very rare sweep of a bitter rival, we’ll take a moment to step back and look at the most important things to know from the game.
Final score: 41-10
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Keys to the game
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown with running back Joe Mixon (28) in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Ground attack: While the Steelers focused on limited Ja’Marr Chase down the field, Joe Mixon carved out 100-plus yards on the ground in the first half. He finished with 28 carries for 165 yards and two scores on a day the Steelers just couldn’t stop him…Outside help: Chase had a quiet first half because the Steelers still remember him scoring two touchdowns back in Week 3. That left room for Tee Higgins to run up 114 yards on six catches with one touchdown…Fundamentals: The defense didn’t have any tackling issues to speak of, coverage was good and the pass-rush consistent. It was a complete game, which the unit has pitched most of the season.
It was over when...
The ball bounces away after Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) defunded a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelersduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
…Hilton ripped off a pick-six near the end of the first half to make it 31-3 at the break. The Steelers offense just doesn’t have enough gas to pull out of that sort of hole.
Bengals' Top Performers
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) makes the touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
QB Joe Burrow: 20/24, 190 yards, 1 TD
RB Joe Mixon: 28 rushes, 165 yards, 2 TD
WR Tee Higgins: 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD
CB Eli Apple: 2 tackles, 1 INT
CB Mike Hilton: 1 INT, 1 TD
Edge Trey Hendrickson: 2 tackles, 1 sack
Injuries
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals lost right tackle Riley Reiff to an ankle injury and the team listed his return as questionable. They might’ve held him out just to be safe with the scoreboard at 31-3. Ditto for a knee injury suffered by center Trey Hopkins.
Important game notes
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) waves to fans prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
— Bengals went bully mode from the opening gun, making it obvious they were lining up to feed Joe Mixon and testing whether the Steelers could stop it. They couldn’t — Joe Burrow and Co. picked up 75 yards on a lengthy opening drive, capped off by a rushing score for Burrow.
— Eli Apple’s redemption arc continued with a pick of Ben Roethlisberger on Pittsburgh’s first drive, which he took back 50 yards. The Bengals couldn’t cap it off with a touchdown, but Apple’s good play is encouraging for a late-season stretch.
— Tee Higgins Moss’d a Steelers defender for a deep passing score to make it 17-3. It’s a great sign for the Bengals. With defenses focused on Ja’Marr Chase, Mixon can still carve them up and Higgins can still make plays. Feels like the offense is gearing up for the playoffs.
— Mike Hilton pulled off the pick-six against his former team before the half closed. Great play, of course, but don’t forget the strong pressure that forced Big Ben into a bad throw, too.
— Trey Hendrickson broke a team record by recording a sack.
— Evan McPherson made a field goal from 50-plus yards in the second half. A week earlier, he made three of those. The value of having a kicker who can do that shouldn’t be overlooked — it could be especially important in the playoffs.
— Riley Reiff left the game with an ankle injury. They might’ve held him out for precautionary reasons in a blowout, but it’s something to watch. The team can’t afford to lose the stable presence at right tackle now.
— Center Trey Hopkins suffered a knee injury and was also questionable to return. Unfortunate, as he was finally getting back to pre-injury form.
What's next?
Nov 28, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) celebrates his interception during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals stay home for a game against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in a Burrow-Herbert showdown between contenders that probably should have been flexed to primetime.
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