In one of the wildest games on the Week 1 schedule – and there were handful of them – the Steelers found a way to squeeze by their division-rival Bengals.
Chris Boswell kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired to lead the Steelers to a 23-20 overtime win at Paycour Stadium, Sunday in Cincinnati.
It was wild, it was sloppy, but, for the Steelers, a win is a win.
The defending AFC Champion Bengals needed a second-half resurgence from quarterback Joe Burrow to just get back into the game. Burrow had a nightmare first half where he threw three of his four interceptions.
With 2 seconds left in regulation, Burrow hit Ja’Maar Chase for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20. But the game went to overtime after Minkah Fitzpatrick blocked Evan McPherson’s point-after try.
In overtime, the kickers for both teams took turns missing potential winning field goals. With the game clock ticking away, a possible tie-game for a finish looming, and most of us low on Pepto Bismo – Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky drove the offense downfield with multiple key completions.
The result was Boswell sending the Steelers home with the road win.
The win, however, came with a price to pay.
T.J. Watt the Defensive Player of the Year, left the field and headed to the locker room shortly before the game went to overtime with a pectoral injury.
Trubisky finished the game 21 for 38 for 194 yards. He was the first quarterback to start for the Steelers after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Looking Ahead
Always good to get that first one out the way, but the fan base must hold their breath while Watt’s injury status remains up in the air.
The Steelers head to New England for a Week 2 matchup with the Patriots.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
