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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Allison Koehler

4 big takeaways from Steelers impressive win over the Bengals

Not only did the Pittsburgh Steelers snap their three-game losing streak on Saturday, they did it in impressive fashion with a blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals. This means a sweep for the Steelers over the Bengals and they keep the playoffs in the picture with two games left to play. Here are our big takeaways from the win.

Maybe Mason Rudolph was the answer

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

What a performance by Mason Rudolph. Rudolph played with a calm confidence we hadn’t seen by a Steelers quarterback all season long. He was at ease running the offense, going through his reads, taking what the Bengals defense gave him and at times just taking what he wanted.

Just get George Pickens the football

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens outpaces the Cincinnati Bengals defense for an 86 yard touchdown in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe it really is that simple. Pickens had a monster game and quieted all of his critics. Mason Rudolph throws a beautiful deep ball and he had 100 percent confidence in Pickens and it really paid off. No matter who is playing quarterback next week, put on the tape and do it again.

Steelers defense gets opportunistic

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) intercepts a pass in the first quarter during a Week 16 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh’s defense got into Jake Browning’s head and there was nothing he could do about it. The pass rush brought the heat all game long and a patchwork group picked him off three times.

Why can't they do this every week?

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches a replay in the second quarter of the NFL 16 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. The Steelers led 24-0 at halftime.

As excited as everyone is for this game, it does make you wonder where this has been all season or even the past three weeks. The Steelers have been hammered in the media the last few weeks and you know they were playing with a huge chip on their shoulder because of it. The key will be if they can do it again.

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