Chris Boswell Wins Wild One, Steelers Outlast Bengals, 23-20 in OT
CINCINNATI — Chris Boswell hit a 53-yard field goal with no time left in overtime as the Pittsburgh Steelers earned one of the most improbable victories in team history, beating the reigning AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20.
The loss of long snapper Clark Harris proved critical for the Bengals, as the team couldn’t convert an extra point at the end of regulation and a 29-yard field goal in overtime, letting the Steelers back into the game twice when they looked like all hope was lost.
Tight end Mitchell Wilcox, replacing Harris, had a high snap on the overtime kick and Evan McPherson missed wide left.
Minkah Fitzpatrick partially blocked McPherson’s go-ahead extra point attempt with two seconds left in the game to send the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to overtime.
The Steelers took the ball away from the Bengals five times on Sunday, but an ineffective offense kept giving Joe Burrow chances, and the Cincinnati starter found JaMarr Chase for the apparent game-winning score before Fitzpatrick blocked the extra point.
McPherson had earlier made field goals of 26 and 59 yards, the latter of which might have been good from 70. But the Cincinnati block unit without Harris couldn’t cope with Fitzpatrick’s rush, giving the Steelers life.
Pittsburgh intercepted Bengals quarterback Burrow four times, including one in the first quarter that was returned for a touchdown by Fitzpatrick. But after a rough day for the offense, the Steelers gave Burrow chance after chance to level the game.
Ahkello Witherspoon knocked away Burrow’s pass for a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line with less that two minutes to play, but the offense went three and out and punted the ball back.
Burrow found Chase in the front corner of the end zone with two seconds left on the clock to tie the game. The Bengals did not lead until winning the game in overtime.
After Fitzpatrick’s pick six gave the Steelers an early lead, McPherson field goal got Cincinnati on the board.
The Steelers defense stepped up again, as Alex Highsmith sacked Burrow and forced a fumble that was recovered by Cam Heyward. The Steelers used a Chris Boswell field goal to make the lead 10-3.
Cincinnati got McPherson’s second field goal before the half and a 10-play drive by Burrow was capped with a touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd from 2 yards out. A Boswell 48-yard field goal made it 20-13 Steelers early in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers offense did little all game before the final drive. Trubisky finished 21 of 38 for 194 yards. Najee Harris had 10 carries of 23 yards.
The victory came at a significant cost for the Steelers, as Watt, Harris and Cam Heyward all left the game with injuries and did not return.
The Steelers will return to Pittsburgh for their home opener in Week 2 against the New England Patriots.
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