The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-10 in week three. The Bengals out performed Pittsburgh in almost every category as they picked up their second win of the season.

Both quarterbacks threw interceptions in the early goings. Bengals’ second year quarterback Joe Burrow threw a pass that was tipped by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and fell into the arms of the other Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds. On the next drive, Ben Roethlisberger was hit as he threw the ball to opposing linebacker Logan Wilson to give Cincinnati the ball right back.

The first score was in the first quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bengals second year quarterback Joe Burrow to receiver and Pitt Panthers alum Tyler Boyd. Pittsburgh tied it in the second quarter with a long 86-yard drive that ended with a Roethlisberger touchdown pass to rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth. With the catch, Freiermuth scored his first career touchdown.

The Bengals responded with a 75-yard drive of their own that ended with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to receiver Ja’marr Chase. Another blown coverage for Pittsburgh. Cornerback James Pierre was beat by Chase on the play as the Bengals took the lead before the second half.

After receiving the second half kickoff, the Bengals drove 55-yards but were held to a field goal. On the next drive Ben Roethlisberger threw another interception to Logan Wilson. It seemed as though Roethlisberger didn’t see Wilson as he threw it right into his chest for
the easy interception.

The Bengals took advantage of the miscue as they used the short field to score yet again. Joe Burrow threw another touchdown pass to
Jamaar Chase as the Bengals went up 24-7. After the Bengals touchdown, Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell missed a 42-yard field goal on the next drive. Boswell did bounce back a drive later to kick a 26-yard field goal.

The fourth quarter was scoreless for both teams as the Bengals defeated the Steelers 24-10. After a tough loss, it is important to look for positives.

For the Steelers this week, they were hard to come by. Rookie running back Najee Harris showed more signs of greatness as he ran 14 times for 40 yards. Harris also had 14 receptions for 102 yards though he did struggle with dropped passes at times.

As Diontae Johnson was ruled out before the game, receiver Chase Claypool knew he’d have a bigger role in this game. Receiver Juju Smith-Schuster was ruled out at half time with a rib injury, which only increased Claypool’s role. Claypool ended the day with 9 catches and 96 yards.

The Steelers defense ended this week on the wrong side of history. The Steelers set an NFL record of 75 consecutive games with a sack. The streak ended on Sunday as the depleted defensive line wasn’t able to reach Burrow.

To put it nicely, Ben Roethlisberger looked sub par. Ben threw the ball 58 times, only completing 38 of them for 318 yards, a touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Most of Roethlisberger’s throws didn’t go more than three yards. He has been struggling with a pectoral injury all week but it’s still disappointing to see the offense struggle as it did.

The Steelers look ahead to next week as they play a tough Green Bay Packers team. The Packers have started the season 2-1 after beating the 49ers on Sunday Night Football.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a tough game to start the season but has looked like himself the past couple weeks. Unless the Steelers get a lot healthier than they are at the moment, they could be in for a tough game against the electric Packers offense.