Walk-Off Thoughts: Joe Burrow Leads Way, But Bengals' Supporting Cast Shines in Win Over Steelers

Cincinnati is 6-4 following their 37-30 win in Pittsburgh.

Author:
James Rapien
Updated:
Nov 21, 2022 7:24 AM EST
Original:
Nov 21, 2022

In this story:

Cincinnati Bengals

PITTSBURGH — The Bengals beat the Steelers 37-30 on Sunday, winning for a second consecutive time in Pittsburgh.

Here are some walk-off thoughts following the win.

Best Player on the Field

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) jokes with Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie in the fourth quarter during a Week 11 NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 37-30. Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Nov 20 0346 — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Joe Burrow was the best player on the field on Sunday.

He completed 24-of-39 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns. He did have two interceptions, but neither were his fault.

The most impressive thing about Burrow was how he bounced back and found ways to answer, despite 60,000+ Steelers fans cheering against him.

"He's a special player. We're lucky to have him," head coach Zac Taylor said. "He's always comfortable. The whole world could be falling down around him and that just goes into his preparation and what makes him so great."

Burrow led the Bengals on four touchdown drives, including a 92-yard drive in the second quarter and a 93-yard drive in the fourth quarter that helped put the game away.

Defense Steps Up

Germaine PRatt — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals' defense was awful in the first half. They gave up four-straight scoring drives to end the half.

They answered by forcing four-straight three-and-outs to start the second half, which included a big stop following T.J. Watt's interception that gave Pittsburgh the ball on the 21-yard line. The Bengals held the Steelers to just six yards and forced them to kick a field goal.

Lou Anarumo's defense wasn't perfect, but they did enough to get the job done.

Money Mac is Back

Cincinnati Bengals place kicker Evan McPherson (2) kicks a field goal as Cincinnati Bengals punter Drue Chrisman (4) holds in the third quarter during a Week 11 NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 37-30. Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Nov 20 0071 — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Evan McPherson was great on Sunday. He booted a 54-yard field goal late in the third quarter to give Cincinnati a 27-23 lead.

"These conditions weren't great. The field isn't great. He just stepped up and delivered," Taylor said. " I thought Drue Chrisman did a nice job. It's not the greatest conditions for him either. And did a great job with the holds and had a great punt there. That punt had them inside the 10-yard line. And then Cal, you know, all three of those guys really stepped up and did their jobs and got us a win.

Chrisman hit two booming punts in his NFL debut. He flashed his potential and held the ball on all of McPherson's kicks.

Darrin Simmons had to be proud of how his young trio played.

Other Thoughts

Trey Hendrickson and Germaine Pratt played great. Hendrickson had five tackles and two sacks. Pratt had eight tackles, including two for loss.

Cam Taylor-Britt also flashed his potential, leading the team with 12 tackles. He got beat a few times, but he also made multiple big plays in space.

Three-Rine

Samaje Perine might be the most underrated Bengals player. From blocking, to running between the tackles, to playing a key role in the passing game, he can do anything they ask him to do.

"Obviously, he's a great player. He steps up whenever his opportunity presents itself," Burrow said after the game. "And two, he's one of those locker room guys that everybody talks about. Great in the locker room. Great guy to talk to. Culture builder. He's fun to play with."

Perine set a new Bengals record, becoming the first running back in team history to have three touchdown receptions.

Trenton Irwin also had a nice game, catching three passes for 42 yards and his first career touchdown. Role players stepped up in an AFC North slugfest on the road.

Building Momentum

Don't look now, but the Bengals have won four of their last five games and would be the seventh seed in the AFC Playoffs if the season ended today.

They're hitting their stride at the right time. They need all of the momentum that they can get with the AFC South leading Titans up next on the schedule.

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