Rudolph and the Steelers Defense Romp The Bengals
- Kelly Anozie
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The idea of the "next man up" couldn't have been more important than on this afternoon for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to injury and Jalen Ramsey eject, it was some of the unknown players on the roster that rose to the occasion and put together an impressive 34-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, improving their record to 6-4.
Game Recap
On their first possession, the Steelers wasted no time getting on the board, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers orchestrated an eight-play, 78-yard drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown run from Kenneth Gainwell, giving the team an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco responded with a scoring drive of his own, connecting with Tee Higgins for a 28-yard touchdown. However, the failed two-point conversion attempt left the Steelers ahead by a single point.
For much of the second quarter, both offenses struggled to sustain momentum, trading unsuccessful possessions. Late in the half, the Steelers broke through again, as kicker Chris Boswell converted a field goal following a nine-play, 86-yard drive, extending their advantage to 10-6 heading into halftime.
Just before halftime, Rodgers sustained an injury to his left hand that would hinder him for the remainder of the game.
On the Bengals’ first possession of the third quarter, running back Chase Brown broke free for a 35-yard gain, pushing the offense deep into Steelers territory. The drive ultimately concluded with a field goal, trimming the Steelers’ lead to a single point.
With Rodgers sidelined, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped in to lead the Steelers’ next offensive series. During that drive, running back Jaylen Warren also suffered an injury that forced him out of action. Despite these setbacks, Rudolph orchestrated a 61-yard drive that ended in a field goal, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to four.
The Steelers’ biggest play of the afternoon came on the Bengals’ ensuing possession, when their newest acquisition, safety Kyle Dugger, intercepted Joe Flacco’s pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. The defensive score extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 20-9 before the end of the third quarter.
Following an incident involving Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, defensive back Jalen Ramsey was disqualified for the remainder of the contest. The Bengals capitalized on the momentum shift, as kicker Evan McPherson converted a field goal to trim the deficit to eight early in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers added insurance late in the game, as Mason Rudolph orchestrated a touchdown drive capped once again by Kenneth Gainwell, extending the lead to 27-12.
Just when it seemed Pittsburgh was finished scoring, the defense struck again. Brandon Echols forced a fumble that cornerback James Pierre scooped up and returned for a touchdown, pushing the Steelers’ advantage to 34-12 and sealing the victory in emphatic fashion.
Steelers Backups Rise The Occasion
The biggest storyline of the game was the performance of running back Kenneth Gainwell, who played a pivotal role for the Steelers in the absence of both Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren. Gainwell registered 105 total yards and scored two touchdowns, providing the spark the offense needed.
Another key contributor was backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, who rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. He completed 12 passes for 127 yards and added a touchdown, steadying the offense when the team needed him most.
After being dismantled by Joe Flacco in Week 7, the Steelers’ defense responded with a dominant effort, limiting him to just 199 passing yards and a single touchdown. Cornerback James Pierre, making his first start of the season, delivered a standout performance with six tackles, two passes defensed, and a defensive touchdown.
Safety Kyle Dugger also made his presence felt, recording a defensive touchdown off an interception and adding two passes defensed, further cementing the defense’s role in the victory.