Steelers vs. Bengals score: Live updates, highlights, analysis for Saturday’s game between AFC North rivals

Mason Rudolph helped save Christmas — and maybe the Steelers’ 2023 season — after he helped lead Pittsburgh to a 34-11 win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh’s backup quarterback threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers snapped a three-game losing streak. 

Rudolph, who started his first game in 769 days, led the Steelers to touchdowns on three of their first four drives, starting with his 86-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens on Pittsburgh’s second play from scrimmage. Touchdown runs by wideout Calvin Austin III and running back Najee Harris extended the Steelers’ lead. 

Pittsburgh’s last two touchdowns of the half were set up from takeaways by the Steelers’ defense. Patrick Peterson’s end zone pick helped set up Pittsburgh’s second scoring drive. They then parlayed Eric Rowe’s pick of Jake Browning midway through the second quarter into Harris’ fifth touchdown run of the season. 

Down 24-0 at halftime, the Bengals briefly made things interesting on Browning’s 80-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins early in the second half. But Pittsburgh quickly countered when Rudolph hit Pickens on a back-breaking, 66-yard touchdown that essentially ended the game. 

Here’s a bigger breakdown at what happened in Pittsburgh. 

Why the Steelers won 

Pittsburgh dominated in all three facets. It starts, though, with Rudolph, who on Saturday night became the first Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger to throw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in a game. Rudolph was also aided by Harris and a Steelers rushing attack that gained 113 yards and two touchdowns. 

It was also a great night for Pickens, who went over 1,000 yards for the season after catching four passes for 195 yards. Pickens feasted off of one-on-one coverage all night. 

Pittsburgh’s offense parlayed its defense’s three turnovers into 17 points. Speaking of the Steelers’ defense, the unit confused Browning by playing zone coverage instead of their usual man. The Steelers’ defense received solid efforts from linebackers (Rowe and inside linebacker Myles Jack) and from their stars in Peterson and outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Watt picked up his league-leading 17th sack, while Highsmith had a sack and a pick that set up the game’s final points on a Chris Boswell field goal. 

Why the Bengals lost 

Cincinnati’s offense sorely missed Ja’Marr Chase, who was out with a shoulder injury. While Higgins (five catches for 140) stepped up, it was clear that Chase’s absence made things significantly tougher for Browning. 

Not helping matters was the fact that Browning faced consistent pressure and was not helped by a running game that gained just 59 yards. Browning didn’t help his cause, though, throwing several ill advised passes that included Peterson’s end zone pick. 

Peterson’s pick exemplified the Bengals’ struggles in the red zone. Cincinnati was 0 of 3 in the red zone, while Pittsburgh was 2 of 3. 

Turning point 

The Bengals appeared poised to respond to Pickens’ early score with their own scoring drive. But the Bengals came up empty when Peterson picked off Browning in the end zone on a third-and-9 play. The Steelers then took a commanding 14-0 lead after Austin’s touchdown run capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive.  

Play of the game 

Pickens’ touchdown was a thing of beauty. On the play, Rudolph threaded the needle to Pickens, who caught the ball in stride before breaking a tackle and outrunning the rest of Cincinnati’s defense to pay dirt. 

We’d be remiss not to highlight Jaylen Warren’s crushing block on Austin’s touchdown run. 

Quotable 

“It was awesome, but I’m not surprised. I’ve told people that before. He’s put in so much work and he hasn’t gotten the opportunities. He could have complained, but he’s owned up to scout team, he gave us great looks over the last couple of years. You just knew when he got his opportunity he was going to seize it. 

“That’s why I’m not surprise and was super happy. Obviously there were some guys that helped him out with the performance, but he did a great job himself. Very excited and very happy for him.” — Watt on Rudolph, via 93.7 The Fan 

What’s next 

The Steelers head to Seattle to face a 7-7 Seahawks team that is also fighting for their playoff games. Seattle is coming off a big Monday night win over the Eagles. 

Cincinnati heads to Kansas City for a rematch of the last two AFC title games. While the offense hasn’t been as good as they usually are, the Chiefs’ defense is having a stellar year that includes being third in the NFL in points allowed.