Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 with Kenny Pickett throwing a season-high 278 yards. This victory comes just days after firing their offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
The Steelers, with a total of 421 yards, broke a streak of 58 games without gaining 400 yards. Pat Freiermuth also had a career-high 120 yards receiving in this standout offensive performance under interim coordinator Eddie Faulkner.
Bengals backup Jake Browning struggled to keep the chains moving, finishing 19 for 26 for 227 yards and threw an interception in the red zone.
Jake Browning started in place of the injured Joe Burrow, who tore a ligament in his right wrist in a recent game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers are striving to keep pace with the Ravens and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North, with the victory ending a streak of nine straight one-score games before last week’s loss to the Browns.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired two days prior to the game and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan took over play-calling duties.
The Steelers displayed more effective ball movement, with Najee Harris finishing a 14-play, 79-yard drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Steelers up 10-7 at the end of the third quarter.
Najee Harris finished with 99 yards for the Steelers.
The Bengals face an uphill battle to return to the playoffs without Burrow leading the offense.
Cincinnati capitalized on a short field in the second quarter, scoring their only touchdown with a 46-yard kickoff return and a 31-yard gain from Ja’Marr Chase, followed by a touchdown by Drew Sample.
INJURIES
None reported.
UP NEXT
Steelers: Host Arizona next Sunday.
Bengals: At Jacksonville on Monday, Dec. 4.
___
AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL