Steelers beat Bengals 30-27 as revamped O-line, Warren, and a late strip-sack seal AFC North opener

For two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense had been one of the NFL's most frustrating units — 16 total points, a 2-of-12 third-down conversion rate against New England, and a stretch of 69 consecutive games without scoring eight or more points in the first quarter. On Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, nearly all of that changed in one afternoon against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati 30-27 in its AFC North opener, finishing with 411 total yards, seven third-down conversions in 12 attempts, and a game-sealing strip-sack by defensive lineman Derrick Harmon with 44 seconds remaining. The Bengals, who entered the game 2-0, fall to 2-1.

The transformation began before the opening snap. Head coach Mike McCarthy replaced right tackle Spencer Anderson and right guard Dylan Cook with rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor — making his first career start — and veteran Brock Hoffman. The new combination held up against Cincinnati's front, helping the Steelers average six yards per carry and allow just two sacks.

Max is a talented young man. I think that's evident. His injury was a setback in training camp, but he's ready. It was time to give him that opportunity. Brock has been playing every position inside, and he's been pushing for an opportunity.— Mike McCarthy, Head Coach

With Rico Dowdle unavailable, Jaylen Warren carried the backfield. He rushed 17 times for 127 yards — averaging 7.5 yards per carry — and added three catches for 49 yards, finishing with 176 yards from scrimmage. Warren played through a shoulder injury, a fact that did not go unnoticed by his quarterback.

I love the term bell cow. I was told yesterday, 'Don't throw Jaylen the ball in practice.' I said, 'Why?' They said, 'He's got a shoulder [injury].' Then I saw him today and he had a little something on there. What a tough guy. He is one of the toughest guys I've ever played with.— Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback

Pittsburgh opened the game with a four-play, 73-yard touchdown drive — Warren catching a 30-yard pass on the first play, then Rodgers hitting Roman Wilson for a 38-yard score. The Steelers followed Cincinnati's answering touchdown with an 11-play, 86-yard drive capped by a 23-yard touchdown to Ben Skowronek on a play-action design: Skowronek went in motion through the B gap as if leading a run block, then caught Rodgers' pass in stride. It was the first time in 98 games Pittsburgh had scored 10 or more points in the opening quarter.

Rodgers finished 19-of-34 for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, spreading the ball to nine different pass catchers. The return of Michael Pittman Jr. — who missed Week 2 with a foot injury — helped stretch Cincinnati's defense and created one-on-one matchups that the Steelers exploited. Roman Wilson, who saw six targets, beat cornerback Jalen Davis for the opening score.

We knew they played a lot of man coverage. We knew they also played a lot of 33 weak, a lot of 2-high stuff. Whenever they go man, you've got to take advantage of it.— Roman Wilson, Wide Receiver

Third-down execution was the clearest statistical marker of the turnaround. Pittsburgh had converted just five of 31 third downs in the first two weeks combined. Against Cincinnati, the Steelers converted 7 of 12 — 58.3 percent. McCarthy said the emphasis was deliberate.

The focal point, I know from my perspective, even in game planning, third downs were an emphasis. I think anytime you put in more time and energy, the execution improves. I knew big plays were going to be a big part of this one.— Mike McCarthy, Head Coach

The game was not clean. DK Metcalf caught his first touchdown of the season but committed two holding penalties, the second wiping out an 87-yard Warren run in the fourth quarter. Rodgers threw an interception late in the first half — a ball that should have been caught by Wilson — that Cincinnati converted into a touchdown. The Steelers were just 1-of-3 in the red zone and settled for field goals three times.

Listen, I know [there's going to be] overreactions when we put up three points and look like dog you know what and then we had a nice game today. We put up over 400 yards and 30 points. It could have been a lot more. But every week is a different week, different challenge, different opponent, different defense. We've got to be critical of some things.— Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback

Special teams shaped the final margin. In the third quarter, a roughing-the-kicker penalty on punter Cam Johnston — who was hit in the knee — kept a Steelers drive alive that ended in Metcalf's touchdown. In the fourth quarter, with Cincinnati leading 27-24, Bengals returner Ke'Shawn Williams muffed a Cameron Johnston punt and Skowronek recovered at the Cincinnati 14. Pittsburgh's offense lost four yards on the ensuing possession, but Chris Boswell converted a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 27.

Pittsburgh then drove 77 yards in eight plays to take a 30-27 lead on a Boswell 33-yard field goal with 2:15 remaining. That sequence included a 47-yard completion to tight end Darnell Washington and a 26-yard Warren run to the Cincinnati 6 — all coming after Metcalf's holding penalty had wiped out the 87-yard run. Boswell finished 3-of-3 on field goals from 44, 36, and 33 yards.

Joe Burrow still gave Pittsburgh problems all afternoon — completing 28 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns, with Ja'Marr Chase finishing with 98 receiving yards and Tee Higgins adding 90. The Bengals converted six of 12 third downs and both fourth-down attempts. Pittsburgh did not sack Burrow until the game's final possession.

That sack was the one that mattered. With the Bengals already in Steelers territory and threatening to score, Harmon beat left guard Dalton Risner off the left side, sacked Burrow, and stripped the ball. Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered the fumble with 44 seconds left, ending Cincinnati's last chance.

We just came together as a defense right before the last few drives, just really believing in one another and our coaches, and we just came up with the victory. As a defense, yes, we did [have a meeting]; we got together and said it's going to be on us to win this game.— Derrick Harmon, Defensive Lineman

Pittsburgh moves to 2-1 and faces a quick turnaround: a Thursday night road game against the Cleveland Browns, also 2-1, with sole possession of the AFC North division lead on the line.

Why it matters — The win gives Pittsburgh a 2-1 record and its first AFC North victory under Mike McCarthy, setting up a Thursday night showdown with the 2-1 Cleveland Browns for early division positioning.

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