The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their superstar quarterback and their All-Pro defensive catalyst — and still managed to deliver their most complete win of the season. With Aaron Rodgers sidelined by a left-wrist injury and Jalen Ramsey ejected after a clash with Ja’Marr Chase, Pittsburgh leaned on backups, defense, and grit to overpower the Cincinnati Bengals 34–12 and remain atop the AFC North.
Rodgers, 41, took repeated hits late in the second quarter before disappearing to the locker room and never returning. By halftime, he motioned to longtime backup Mason Rudolph, signaling it was his turn. Rudolph took over and looked like he’d never left. The former playoff-push catalyst from 2023 went 12 of 16 for 127 yards, orchestrating two long touchdown drives, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell with 3:40 remaining that sealed the game. “This is home,” Rudolph said. “Very, very special.”
Pittsburgh’s defense — shredded by Cincinnati a month ago — flipped the script with two defensive touchdowns. Kyle Dugger jumped a Joe Flacco pass and raced 74 yards for a game-changing pick-6 early in the third quarter, while James Pierre added a 32-yard scoop-and-score in the fourth. Dugger, acquired in a midseason trade with New England, continues to look like one of the year’s best deadline steals, saying afterward, “Somebody gives you a gift like that, you’ve got to maximize it.”
After weeks of rejuvenated play, 40-year-old Joe Flacco finally showed signs of age. He finished 23 of 40 for 199 yards with one touchdown but was undone by errant throws, constant pressure, and Dugger’s interception. “You knew they were going to make it tough,” Flacco said. “We just couldn’t come through in those little moments.” Cincinnati fell to 3–7, continuing a frustrating slide.
The game also featured emotional fireworks when Ramsey and Chase were ejected following repeated confrontations. Ramsey claimed Chase spit on him, a charge Chase denied, and officials said they saw nothing rising to that level, though cameras showed spittle flying during the exchange. Both players defended their sides after the game.
With Rodgers out, Pittsburgh relied on several unexpected stars. Kenneth Gainwell delivered 105 total yards and the game-clinching score, while massive tight end Darnell Washington added four catches for 67 yards, including a bruising 31-yard catch-and-run that saw him stiff-arm one defender and bulldoze two others. “This was a chance for us to get right,” veteran Cam Heyward said, and the Steelers did exactly that.
Injuries added to the afternoon’s intensity. Cincinnati lost cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt to a left-foot injury, while defensive end Trey Hendrickson missed his second straight game with a hip issue and tight end Drew Sample briefly exited with an oblique injury. For Pittsburgh, returner Ke’Shawn Williams entered concussion protocol after a hit on the opening kickoff.
Next up, the Bengals host AFC East–leading New England next Sunday, while the Steelers head to Chicago.
