A weekly sequence I try this captures the forgotten and hidden performs that helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win or lose. Not the touchdowns, turnovers, or performs that may make the Monday morning highlights – the little ones that, trying again, performed a key position within the consequence. I’ll begin with a hidden second that helped the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Steelers 33-31.
One Small Slip For Man, One Big Leap For Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been king at scoring late within the first half. Jonnu Smith and DK Metcalf have end-of-half touchdowns whereas Okay Chris Boswell has a pair late second quarter discipline objectives.
Seeing a 10-0 lead erased by the Bengals Thursday evening, the Steelers had an opportunity to reply earlier than the break. And have been in nice place to take action. Beginning on the 30, the offense received rolling with a few first down completions to RB Jaylen Warren.
With a timeout and on the sting of discipline aim vary, Pittsburgh was setting themselves up for factors. On 1st and 10, Arthur Smith referred to as a operating again display to pass-catcher Kenneth Gainwell. Although the Bengals didn’t blitz, it had the looks of working. Rodgers received his throw off simply in time and LG Isaac Seumalo threw a key block with C Zach Frazier out in area able to throw one other.
Right here’s the way it appeared proper as Gainwell made the catch.
A number of operating room forward for a shifty again. However Gainwell couldn’t capitalize. He slipped and fell behind the road of scrimmage, tackled for a 3 yard loss. As an alternative of what may’ve been a 1st and 10 pickup in clear Chris Boswell vary, the Steelers fell into 2nd and 13.
Because the Soccer Gods would have it, the play would show expensive. The very subsequent snap, Rodgers threw for WR DK Metcalf down the left sideline. His catch was wrestled away and picked by CB DJ Turner. An unimaginable play.
As an alternative of a late-half Steelers rating, the Bengals received their offense shifting. A fast march put them in discipline aim vary, tacking on three factors to shut out the half. Getting the ball to start the third quarter, Cincinnati went up two possessions thanks to a different discipline aim.
That’s a giant swing. Pittsburgh may’ve taken a 17-14 lead on the half. In any case, they have been working in place to be down only one, 14-13, on the break. As an alternative, the Bengals turned the tide and double-dipped out of the break. Even when they have been discipline objectives, that six-point swing to finish the second quarter was pivotal in a two-point loss.
Soccer is humorous. Three weeks in the past, our “Forgotten Play” was Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson slipping and falling late within the first half that pressured the Vikings to accept three as an alternative of a possible/probably landing. This time, the Steelers discovered themselves on the mistaken finish. Pittsburgh wouldn’t get factors right here. It was Cincinnati doing the scoring, and by recreation’s finish, the profitable.
