Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth Loves Playing in Cincinnati: ‘I Just Go Off’
CINCINNATI — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth lit up the Cincinnati Bengals once again on Sunday. Freiermuth had six catches on seven targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ 44-38 shootout win over Cincinnati.
In four career games at Paycor Stadium, Freiermuth has recorded 24 catches for 303 yards (12.6 average) and two touchdowns. To say the least, Freiermuth owns the Bengals in Cincy.
“For some reason, whenever we play here, I just go off. So it’s awesome. Just play here every time,” he joked with reporters after the game.
In the last two weeks, Pat Freiermuth has caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Freiermuth’s emergence in Arthur Smith’s tight end-friendly offense is starting to come to light.
Freiermuth had season-highs in both receptions and yards on Sunday.
“It’s what they do schematically on defense. But, man, it’s something about being in Cincinnati,” Freiermuth said. “I think schematically over the past two weeks seem to be getting me involved more. Just got to continue to build.”
Most impressive pass of the afternoon from Russell Wilson, IMO.
Steps up in the pocket, throws on the move with pressure barreling down, and delivers a strike to Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Cd1LNXRULe
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) December 2, 2024
The fourth-year tight end out of Penn State has been solid this season, but he hasn’t put up gaudy numbers. Freiermuth doesn’t care about about his stat line, however. He just wants to contribute any way he can to get wins.
“I’m a big believer in the football gods,” Freiermuth said. “I was just doing the gritty work. Trying to impact the game as much as I can. I knew it was gonna come. I knew we have the big games late in the year and they are gonna count on my number.”
Overall, the offense racked up 520 yards in the win over Cincinnati. It was the first time that the Steelers surpassed 500 yards of offense in the regular season since Nov. 25. 2018 at Denver. The Steelers also scored 40 or more points for the first time in a game since November 8, 2018, against the Carolina Panthers.
“I thought we had a tremendous day. It all starts with the offensive line,” Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson said. “I thought they did a tremendous job. The multiple things they do up front and different looks they give, I thought the o-line handled it in a great way. I got to a lot of checks, a lot of audibles in the run game and the pass game, getting to stuff that was favorable for us. I just think guys did a great job making plays.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Cincinnati.
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