CINCINNATI — Days after firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the Pittsburgh Steelers have found new life on offense.
On Sunday, Kenny Pickett threw for a season-high 278 yards and the Steelers defeated the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals 16-10.
In the first game after Canada’s firing (the franchise’s first in-season change of coordinator or head coach since 1941), the Steelers (7-4) gained 421 total yards, their streak without a 400-yard gain. The record ended at 58 games.
“I’m not going to paint with a thick brush and be like, ‘Eureka!'” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “We did what we had to do to win today and we’re going to keep pushing. That’s our job and we did it. I’m glad we got the win.”
With running backs coach Eddie Faulkner leading the offense on an interim basis and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling the plays, the Steelers outscored their opponents for the first time this season. Pickett looked more comfortable, Pat Freiermuth had a career-high 120 yards and Najee Harris ran for 99 yards.
“We did what we had to do.” Tomlin said. “We spread the ball around. We changed some things schematically. When the safeties were separated, we attacked down the field.”
Chris Boswell kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to keep the Bengals at bay. Cincinnati (5-6) got a field goal by Evan McPherson just before the two-minute warning, but the Steelers recovered the onside kick and time expired.
Bengals backup Jake Browning threw a touchdown pass in his first start, but struggled to keep the chains moving. He completed 19 of 26 for 227 yards and an interception in the red zone.
Browning started in place of Burrow, the franchise quarterback who tore ligaments in his right wrist on Nov. 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, ending his season.
The Steelers are trying to keep pace with the Ravens and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. Pittsburgh had won nine straight games before losing to Cleveland 13-10 last week. Pickett had just 106 passing yards and 249 total offensive yards.
During the game, wide receiver Diontae Johnson got into an altercation with Tomlin on the sideline, and Harris addressed reporters about the offense’s repeated failures.
Canada was fired two days later.
“To bounce back after a loss just shows the resiliency of this group.” Pittsburgh linebacker TJ Watt said. “I could have had a lot of excuses this week. I’m really proud of how we came together and got back on track. It feels good.”
Pittsburgh moved the ball more effectively early Sunday, getting into the red zone in the first quarter before Jalen Warren lost a fumble.
The Steelers then went on a 14-play, 79-yard drive that lasted nearly eight minutes in the third quarter, culminating in a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Najee Harris. This left the Steelers up 10-7 at the end of the third inning. Harris finished with 99 yards.
“We stuck together in times of adversity and achieved great victories on the road.” Pickett said. “There were a lot of moving parts.”
The Bengals (5-6) showed they will have a hard time getting back to the playoffs unless Burrow moves the offense. They were 2-for-10 on third down and had just 222 yards of total offense.
Cincinnati took advantage of a short field in the second quarter with Trayveon Williams’ 46-yard kickoff return to set up its only touchdown. Ja’Marr Chase took a tipped pass for a 31-yard gain, and two plays later Browning hooked up with tight end Drew Sample for an 11-yard TD.
“I think we have a really good football team, and we just need to find a way to win here.” Bengals manager Zac Taylor said:
No driving allowed
The Bengals’ run game was once again not a factor, limiting what Browning could do in the passing game. Joe Mixon gained 16 yards on eight carries. After a while they stopped trying.
“This has nothing to do with Joe Mixon.” Taylor said. “This is a whole unit coming together, so don’t talk about one person. From what I’ve seen, it’s not a missed opportunity. He continues to run hard and give us what we need this season. He gave it to me.”
Mixon averaged four yards per carry this season.
injury
There were no reports.
next
Steelers: Host Arizona next Sunday.
Bengals: Monday, Dec. 4, at Jacksonville.