Steelers vs. Bengals game recap: Everything we know

With help from a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers team, the Cincinnati Bengals put on their best performance of the year during Monday night’s 27-17 win.

Vonn Bell’s defense stood strong in the face of a Ben Roethlisberger-led offense and forced a handful of turnovers while Carl Lawson applied consistent pressure, making things easy on a Ryan Finley-led Bengals offense.

Here are some game balls, key moments and more from the victory.

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell (24) reacts with linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during warmups prior to the game between the Cincinnati Bengals the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Lawson: The edge rusher wouldn’t be denied Monday night, forcing multiple fumbles and generating big pressure consistently. It’s something the team had lacked all season…Struggling Steelers: Big Ben and Co. never seemed interested in putting up a fight in this one. The veteran passer threw at least six interceptable passes on the night, his line couldn’t block and his defense struggled against a third-string quarterback…Key Calls: Zac Taylor called a good game for his offense, no better exemplified than with his QB draw run in the fourth quarter before the read-option call with Finley that resulted in a two-touchdown lead.

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley (5) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

…Finley sprinted into the endzone untouched off a read-option in the fourth quarter to go up 24-10. The Steelers put up 10 points in the third quarter but the spurts seemed like an anomaly on an otherwise bad night for Pittsburgh and great night for the Bengals defense.

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates his second touchdown of the game during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

*** — Carl Lawson: The Bengals don’t stand much of a chance in this one without No. 58 terrorizing Big Ben. Talk about a statement game before Lawson heads to free agency in a few weeks.

** — Vonn Bell: Bell had the big hit on JuJu (more on that below) and was just generally all over the place making plays. It’s very clear he’s a core leader of the unit.

* — Josh Bynes: The veteran linebacker had a surprise big day, leading the team in tackles and playing sound ball in the middle of the unit.

Bengals defensive back Vonn Bell forces a fumble on a first-quarter catch by Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.Juju

Bell warned Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster about his habitual pregame dancing on an opponent’s logo. Smith-Schuster did it anyway.

Bell proceeded to lay out Smith-Schuster with a massive hit in the first half, causing him to fumble. The highlight even seemed to catch the announcers off guard. 

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) for the touchdown during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals hit the road again to play the Houston Texans in Week 16 on Sunday, December 27.

It’s another fun test for the Bengals defense as they have to seek out an answer for Deshaun Watson. But Monday night’s performance probably told Bengals management all they needed to see about this team’s direction either way.